Ukranian refugees can apply for a simplified online visa scheme to enter the UK from next Tuesday.
In a humiliating U-turn from Priti Patel, the Home Secretary came to the Commons to announce a streamlined online visa application system for Ukrainians seeking to flee the war with Russia.
But she still faces criticism that the change only applies to the family visa route and not all refugees.
With over two million refugees on the move and the UK offering sanctuary to only 1,000 family members of Ukrainians already in the UK, the government was coming under intense pressure to change its approach to the crisis.
Patel told MPs the changes will come in from Tuesday following assurances from the security services that the UK can still be protected from Russian efforts to infiltrate the country by posing as Ukrainian refugees.
Patel said: “From Tuesday, I can announce that Ukrainians with passports will no longer need to go to a visa application centre to give their biometrics before they come to the UK.
“Instead, once their application has been considered and appropriate checks completed, they will receive direct notification that they’re eligible for the scheme and can come to the UK.
“In short, 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.”
Labour Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had tabled an urgent question to bring Patel to the Commons after she described the UK’s response to people fleeing Ukraine as “shameful”.
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: "It is shameful that the Home Secretary has to be dragged inch by inch towards a compassionate response to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Putin’s bombs.
"But Priti Patel is still limiting the scheme to those with close family in the UK, and forcing them to apply for a visa before they come here. That has to change.”
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the shift in policy was a massive relief.
She tweeted: "The UK position until now has been deeply shameful.
“That said, if it still requires visa applications to be made before travel to UK, it does not yet go far enough.”
While the European Union allows visa-free travel for Ukrainians fleeing the fighting, the UK insisted that visas and biometric checks are necessary to guarantee security.
In the Commons SNP MP Marion Fellows was one of many MPs who raised individual cases. She said she had constituents who had already been frustrated in trying to apply online for their family to join them in the UK.
She said the Home Office system does not work and "online applications will make things worse".
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