Ukrainian boy, 4, refused visa to UK over passport,according to his family

According to his family, a four-year-old Ukrainian refugee was denied entry to the UK because his passport had recently expired.

Inesse Gwynne, Platan’s great-aunt who wants to bring him to Stockport, said his visa application was denied. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the youngster and his mother Ruslana fled to Italy, but only made it that far.

The Home Office stated that it is “moving as quickly as possible” to ensure that Ukrainians can find safe haven in the United Kingdom. Ms Gwynne wanted to bring her relatives to her Greater Manchester home, but they “don’t know what to do” after being told “they can’t come.”

“We’d like to have them as part of our family. We want to take care of them “she stated “We’d like to send Platan to nursery, but we won’t be able to.” Ruslana, who graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in art in 2009, still has friends and connections in the city, according to Ms Gwynne.

“Surely, this minor detail in a child’s passport can be overlooked,” she added.

“It had only been a few weeks since it had expired. What difference does it make?” The government launched the Ukraine family scheme earlier this month, allowing Ukrainians to join family members in the UK or extend their stay. The application process is free, and those who are accepted will be able to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom while also having access to government funds.

“We are moving as quickly as possible to ensure that those fleeing horrific persecution in Ukraine can find safety in the UK, setting up both the Ukraine family scheme and now the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which allows those without family connections to come here,” a spokesperson for the Home Office said.

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