A Ukrainian family with hopes of starting a new life in Edinburgh have been left in limbo after both parents had their visas approved through the Homes for Ukrainians scheme but not their one-year-old daughter.
Dad Erman Karaca, 39, and his wife Daria Zhyhynas, 24, were initially delighted to receive their approved visas to seek salvage in Scotland after fleeing war torn Ukraine, but the relief soon turned to fear when they discovered unlike her parents, little Angelina's visa had not been approved.
After Edinburgh Live contacted the UK Government for clarification on the toddler's visa application they were unable to confirm, instead saying they are "continuing to make improvements so the Home Office can speed up the process further."
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The couple moved to Kyiv six years ago where they enjoyed a peaceful life in the suburbs with their daughter before war ripped through the country.
At first the family-of-three tried to wait it out in the hope there would be a resolution. But when Kyiv was hit by Russian missiles the family were forced to flee, leaving all their personal belongings and the home they had created together behind.
Erman and his family then embarked on the 1,000 mile drive through Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria to reach Erman's home country of Turkey, where they applied for UK visas and remain while they wait to find out if one-year-old Angelica will have her visa granted.
While driving through Romania the family told how locals spotted their Ukrainian license plate and offered them food, drink and the opportunity to have a rest on the gruelling journey.
Erman and his wife found out their visas were approved on June 29 but received no information on Angelica's application and told it could be several weeks living out of their car in Turkey till they find out.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Erman explained: "Honestly, we have been affected really badly, its a massive disappointment. We waited expecting to get our visa's altogether because we applied together and at the same time.
"We don't understand the reason behind the situation but we believe that they will clarify as soon as possible and soon we will come there.
"We applied for her but we don't know the progress because she hasn't got a passport. I think she had visa but maybe they didn't process her travel document but they have not told us anything.
"I called one number today and they told me that call tomorrow between 10am to 1pm UK time.
"In the visa centre they took photo of our baby Angelina on their camera and uploaded it to the system, I even filled out courier form for the delivery of the visa approval letter but yesterday we just got my wife's and my passport back and heard nothing about our daughter."
The family chose Scotland after positive experiences with kind Scottish people in the past and knew it would be a safe haven to live with their daughter.
Erman said: "We really want to come Scotland and ready to start new life there after Russian troops took over Ukraine.
"We are now in Turkey because I am citizen of Turkish Republic, I was in Kyiv for six years permanently where I met and married my wife, then we had a baby but now the Russian army have targeted our town in Kyiv.
"We were not so far from Irpin town which was destroyed. We waited it out for 17 days but then had to run away from Kyiv, every day there were rockets and missiles flying up above our heads.
"We fled by car to Turkey travelling through Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria. Our baby is only 11-months-old, everyday she was crying and under stress.
"In Romania, people gave us food and shared their money to help us when they saw our Ukrainian plate car."
Once making the difficult 1000 mile journey with their baby daughter and arriving in Turkey the couple applied for visas.
Erman added: "The first time we applied to the UK and also Scottish government will be our sponsor. We are safe for now but need to start new life in the Scotland as soon as possible.
"We want to come to Edinburgh because it is the capital city and we can live there peacefully and also I know very well Scottish people are really kind and helpful."
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When Edinburgh Live reached out to the UK Government for clarification on the situation leaving the family stranded in Turkey, they could not confirm whether or not little would be granted a visa.
Although a Government spokesperson did say: “More than 82, 100 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK on our uncapped visa schemes for Ukraine, showing the steps we have taken to speed up the process are working.
"All applications from families are normally processed together by the Home Office, but cases differ in complexity and it is vital that robust safeguarding processes are in place to protect children from trafficking and other risks.
"We continue to make improvements so the Home Office can speed up the process further."
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