The UK government has dedicated the past three years to curbing the influx of refugees into the country. However, amidst global political upheavals, millions worldwide have been compelled to seek asylum elsewhere, including in the UK.
In conjunction with implementing new legislation aimed at fortifying the asylum system, the government has rolled out two specialized humanitarian visa programs, offering “safe and legal routes” for individuals from Hong Kong and Ukraine amid ongoing political turmoil and conflict. These initiatives grant beneficiaries exemption from the standard asylum process and immediate authorization to reside and work in the UK—a privilege withheld from other asylum seekers.
Presented as manifestations of the Conservative government’s unwavering commitment to upholding human rights and extending humanitarian safeguards, these programs have facilitated the arrival of over 324,000 individuals from Hong Kong and Ukraine combined.
However, insights gleaned from a recent report, based on comprehensive interviews with 43 program participants, unveil the realities faced by those who have availed themselves of these routes. While providing a degree of protection, these schemes fall short of serving as viable alternatives to the UK’s mainstream refugee protection mechanisms.
The inaugural scheme, launched in January 2021, targeted individuals eligible for British National Overseas (BN(O)) status seeking refuge from political oppression in Hong Kong. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to sustain themselves financially in the UK for six months and cover associated visa fees and healthcare surcharges. Costs for a two-and-a-half-year visa total £1,740, escalating to £3,370 for a five-year visa.
Notably, this humanitarian visa imposes a financial burden on beneficiaries—a departure from conventional humanitarian protections where individuals are not required to pay for the refuge they seek. While granted the right to reside, work, and study in the UK, recipients encounter limited or no access to welfare support. This contrasts sharply with the assistance extended to refugees and beneficiaries of other designated humanitarian pathways.
Among the Hong Kongers interviewed, many struggled to secure employment commensurate with their qualifications and experiences. Several recounted challenges in finding suitable housing upon arrival, especially in the rental market. Additionally, unlike refugees with recognized status, Hong Kongers on the BN(O) scheme are categorized as international students, subject to higher university tuition fees.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK introduced visa schemes in March 2022 for Ukrainians seeking refuge. Applicants must secure a visa before traveling to the UK, with eligibility contingent on familial ties or community sponsorship.
Beneficiaries of this scheme benefit from immediate access to work, certain welfare benefits, and preferential university fee status. However, apprehensions loom over the temporary nature of these protections, lasting a mere three years with no clear pathway to permanent residency. Refugees typically receive a minimum five-year stay initially, with the option to apply for long-term settlement thereafter.
Ukrainian visa holders view their residency rights as contingent upon unfolding events in Ukraine, leaving them uncertain about their future. This uncertainty complicates planning and exacerbates feelings of insecurity, with many grappling with housing instability. For Ukrainian children, their formative years in the UK are shadowed by uncertainty, tethering them to the country regardless of the war’s outcome.
Contrary to government assertions of robust humanitarian protection, beneficiaries of these visas confront significant hurdles. Evidently, a disparity exists between the government’s conception of adequate protection for those fleeing conflict and oppression and the actual experiences of those benefitting from such measures.
Should the government intend to expand these programs, greater consideration must be given to facilitating the integration of vulnerable individuals into UK society over the long term, thereby alleviating insecurity and promoting self-sufficiency.
