The Online Information Centre (developed in collaboration between Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and Law Center NI) is designed to help newly arrived migrants understand what their immigration status means and how it affects their right to access public funds and other services.

This will tell you about your individual rights and entitlements in employment, health, social security, housing and education, and show you the way to the main support organisations.

This is aimed at:

Ukrainian nationals and their families who have been granted status after applying to the Ukraine Scheme. The “Ukraine Scheme” comprises the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

Immigration status

“The Ukraine Scheme” provides a 3 year visa (36 months). This is provided to Ukrainian refugees and their family members who successfully applied to the Ukraine Scheme. The Ukraine Scheme comprises 3 different schemes: Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme. The following information is aimed at Ukraine Scheme visa holders and may not be relevant if you have a different type of visa.

Ukraine Scheme visas are issued electronically. This is called “digital status”. You should have received an email from UK Visas & Immigration or Drumkeen House confirming that you have digital status. This email is important and you should save it.

On receiving confirmation of your digital status, if you have not done so already, the next step is to provide your biometrics. This will result in you receiving your Biometric Residence Permit, or BRP, which makes reference to the “Ukraine Scheme”.

Your BRP is likely to have an expiry date of 31 Dec 2024 – this is because the government is in the process of digitising immigration status for everyone.

You are permitted to exit and re-enter the UK within your visa period. It is advisable to wait until you have received your BRP before you travel as it readily demonstrates your entitlement to re-enter the UK.

Before travelling outside the UK, you should check the entry requirements of the individual countries you plan to visit as they may require you to have a visa. It is your responsibility to inform yourself of, and comply with, the visa requirements of other countries.

At the time of recording this video, the Home Office has not published guidance on what immigration options might be available to Ukraine Scheme visa holders after the initial 3-year period.

If you have not yet applied for a visa or wish to discuss any immigration matter, contact a solicitor or an OISC immigration adviser. Please note that it is free to apply to the Ukraine Scheme are free and advisers can assist you for free.

Employment

If you have a “Ukraine Scheme” visa, you can access the labour market freely. This includes self employment.  You are not restricted to work for any particular employer and have the same rights in the workplace as people from Northern Ireland.

If you originally came to Northern Ireland with a Seasonal Agricultural Workers visa and then applied to the Ukraine Extension Scheme, then your employment entitlements improve significantly with your new visa. Be very careful about this: you must continue to abide by your previous visa conditions until your new visa has been approved. This means you should not change employer.

Before starting work, your employer will want to check that you have permission to work. You can demonstrate your right to work by providing your BRP and then by using the Home Office online checking service.

If you do not have a visa, you do not have permission to work. You should regularise your immigration status in the UK before starting work as working without permission is an offence.

Social security

If you have a Ukraine Scheme visa, you meet the residency requirements for most social security benefits. This means you are eligible to apply for benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Discretionary Support, etc.

Social security benefits are not issued automatically. To qualify for a particular benefit, you must meet the specific requirements, for example you must have a low income or have a disability.

In general, when you apply for social security benefits, you are required to declare your immigration status, whether you have a partner and their immigration status. It is important that you are upfront with this information when you apply for social security benefits. If you are awarded a benefit to which you are not entitled, you may be required to pay it back and could be prosecuted for fraud.

You can apply for social security benefits online or at your local Jobs and Benefits Office. You can request an interpreter. To find out what benefits you might be eligible to receive, contact your local advice organisation and request a free benefit check.

 

Housing

You are entitled to apply for and receive social housing on the same basis as people from Northern Ireland. You can apply at your local Northern Ireland Housing Executive Office, which will assess your circumstances and confirm whether you qualify. You can request an interpreter.

The waiting list for social housing is long and many people wait for years to be offered a home. You might prefer to rent through the private rental market or to buy a property. Housing Rights can help you explore housing options.

If you become homeless, or you are at risk of homelessness for any reason, you should contact NIHE immediately.

www.nihe.gov.uk/Emergency

 

Healthcare

You are entitled to receive free healthcare on the same basis as people from Northern Ireland.

Most health service treatments are free, however, there can be charges for some things such as dental care, eyesight tests and glasses or contact lenses. If you have a low income and are in receipt of certain social security benefits, you might be able to receive these services for free.  To claim, you need to fill in the claim form HC1 ‘Claim for help with health and travel costs’. It can be downloaded from NI Direct or is available from Jobs & Benefits offices or hospitals. Your local doctor, dentist or pharmacist might also have a copy. You will then receive a 12-month HC2 certificate which exempts you from charges and which you must present to your healthcare provider.

The health service can provide interpreters upon request. This includes at a GP or dental appointment or in the hospital. It is essential that you and your medical practitioner can communicate clearly and confidentially. You should always request a professional interpreter and should not rely on family & friends, or translation apps.

Education

  • School

School is free and compulsory for children living in Northern Ireland up to age 16, or year 12. The Education Authority website (www.eani.org.uk) is fully translatable and you can find all of the information you need on topics like applying for school places and school transport. If you are in receipt of social security benefits you may be entitled to a grant towards uniform costs and your child may be eligible to receive free school meals. The Intercultural Education Service at EANI has produced a number of language videos to explain the educational journey of children who are new to Northern Ireland or need language support. Schools can provide in-person interpreters for parent-teacher meetings and telephone interpreters for other education matters. Your child should never be your interpreter when you are dealing with their school – even if she or he speaks good English. Ask your school for an interpreter.

* College and university

Unless you have a scholarship, anyone who goes to college or university is expected to pay student fees. There are two levels of student fees: ‘home fees’ and ‘international fees’. International fees are much more expensive.

Ukrainian refugees are considered as ‘home students’ for fee purposes for Further Education Colleges. This means you pay cheaper fees and can receive financial support while studying.

At the time of recording this video, the situation for Higher Education – i.e. university- is less clear. Speak to the University Admissions department.
P.S.
The Department for Economy have now confirmed that Ukrainian students can be considered “home/local students” and thus can apply to the University and access the student loan service for support with fees etc.

Equality

In general, everyone has the right to equality and the right not to be discriminated against. If you think that you are being treated differently because you are Ukrainian, seek advice.

P.S.

Video with this information could be found on the website at the link:

https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/resident/new-residents/#ukraine

direct links to the video:

in Ukrainian language: https://youtu.be/bxqv3ewMztY

in Russian language: https://youtu.be/9w8lBlZU0H8