From Tuesday, Ukrainian refugees applying to join their family members in the UK will no longer need to attend in-person appointments at Visa Application Centres (VACs) to complete security checks.
A change announced in the House of Commons today by Home Secretary Priti Patel means Ukrainians will be able to apply for UK visas entirely online, as long as they have a passport.
“Ukrainians with passports will be able to get permission to come here fully online from wherever they are and will be able to give their biometrics once in Britain.” she said.
“This will mean that visa application centres across Europe can focus their efforts on helping Ukrainians without passports.”
Those seeking UK visas under the Ukraine Family Scheme must currently book an appointment at one of a handful of centres in Europe, after Patel said security fears meant visa requirements could not be waived.
Figures released from Downing Street yesterday showed Britain has granted just 957 visas.
