A full-scale war continues in Ukraine, and Russian troops continue attacks both at the front and on peaceful settlements. Therefore, a number of countries around the world continue to accept Ukrainian refugees in 2023, and so far no state has reported the cessation of this.

TSN.ua has collected information about 10 popular countries accepting refugees from Ukraine in 2023.

It should be noted that in mid-September, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the EU plans to extend the temporary protection of Ukrainian refugees until 2025. Today, there are 4 million IDPs from Ukraine in the European Union.

Which countries accept refugees from Ukraine 2023

Ukrainian refugees in the UK

The UK continues to accept Ukrainian refugees in 2023 without any changes. Yes, Ukrainians are eligible to use the Homes for Ukraine program. According to the rules of the program, it is necessary to find a British citizen (sponsor) who will agree to provide housing to refugees.

The Homes for Ukraine program entitles you to:

In particular, if you have a Homes for Ukraine visa, you can receive a one-off payment of £200 per person upon arrival in the UK. You can also apply for a universal loan – a monthly allowance in case of unemployment, inability to work or low income.

Refugees / Photo: УНІАН

You can also become a refugee in Britain under the Ukraine Family Scheme if you have a family living there. The program allows you to come to the country or stay longer if you are a family member:

A family member living in the UK must be one of the following: an immediate family member, a large family member, a spouse or civil partner, an unmarried partner, a child, a parent or fiancé(e) or a proposed civil partner of a member of your extended family.

With this visa, you can stay in Britain for up to three years. The program gives the right to live in the country, work, study and the right to assistance.

Refugees in the U.S.

In March 2023, the United States extended the stay of Ukrainian citizens who entered under the United for Ukraine program for another year. We are talking about those Ukrainians who arrived between February 24 and April 25, 2022 on the basis of humanitarian status.

United for Ukraine gives the right to enter the United States and stay there for up to two years on a humanitarian permit. To participate in the program, Ukrainian must find a sponsor in the United States who will agree to provide financial support for the duration of their stay in the country.

United for Ukraine entitles you to:

The benefits are valid for 12 months from the date of receipt of humanitarian parole.

In addition, in August 2023, the United States extended the temporary residence status for Ukrainians until April 2025. Also, Ukrainians who lived in the United States as of August 16 were eligible to join the program. In addition, another 166,700 citizens of Ukraine will be able to obtain temporary residence status.

Canada

In 2023, Canada extended the CUAET migration program, which provided for a simplified procedure for arriving and obtaining a work permit for Ukrainian refugees. The program allowed them to stay in Kagada as temporary residents for up to three years. However, on July 15, the acceptance of applications for the relevant visas ended.

And those who have already received a CUAET visa have the right to enter Canada (until March 31, 2024) and apply for an extended period of stay in this country (up to 3 years). This is provided that there is a work or study permit.

In July, the Canadian government announced a new program aimed at immigrating those who want to obtain a permanent residence permit and have relatives in Canada. Thus, from October 23, 2023, Ukrainians who have the status of a temporary resident, as well as one (or more) relatives in Canada, will be able to obtain a permanent residence permit. Note that family members must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of the country. We are talking about close relatives: parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, as well as spouses.

Applications from families will be accepted until October 22, 2024.

Refugees in Poland

Poland continues to accept Ukrainian refugees in 2023. Temporary protection in this country is actually granted together with the PESEL code. PESEL UKR is a special status for Ukrainian immigrants, which gives the right to social assistance, medical services, employment and training.

From March 2023, the UKR PESEL status is mandatory for Ukrainians who want to stay in Poland. You have 30 days to get it after arriving in the country.

To obtain a PESEL number (code), you need to prepare an application (the application form is available at this link. You can submit documents at any commune administration or at the city district administration.

The legal stay of Ukrainian immigrants in Poland is now valid until March 4, 2024. At the same time, children and adults, guardians of minors who entered the country after February 31, 2024, can stay on the territory of Poland until August 24, 2022, under certain conditions. And until September 30, 2024, students who will take the matriculation exam (egzamin maturalnu) are allowed to stay on the territory of Poland.

Refugees / Photo: УНІАН

Reception of refugees in Germany

In Germany in 2023, not all federal states accept refugees from Ukraine. Today you can find one of six states: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Saxony, Thuringia, Saarland.

Ukrainian refugees are temporarily exempt from the need to have a residence permit in Germany and do not need a visa to enter the country. This exception has been extended until March 4, 2024, and it applies to those entering the country for the first time. Thus, it is possible to stay in Germany for 90 days without a residence permit.

In order to obtain a temporary residence permit in Germany, you need to contact the nearest Ausländerbehörde migration office and apply for a simplified procedure for obtaining a temporary protection, residence and work permit.

The Aufenthaltstitel entitles you to:

The Aufenthaltstitel expires if you have left Germany or are not in Germany for more than six months. That is, you can travel abroad or to Ukraine for no longer than six months.

Czech Republic

Currently, Ukrainians enter the Czech Republic on the basis of a visa-free regime. To do this, you need to have a biometric passport. Those who do not have biometrics are allowed into the Czech Republic only after an individual assessment (i.e. there is a risk of refusal). If you do not have a biometric, you can use an ordinary foreign or domestic Ukrainian passport (including an ID card or pension certificate).

Upon arrival in the Czech Republic, you should inform the country's migration authorities about your arrival. This can be done either at one of the Regional Assistance Centers for Ukraine during the subsequent processing of temporary protection, or at the Alien Police at the nearest branch (in case of staying for another purpose for a period of more than three days).

Ukrainian refugees are issued a special indefinite visa, which allows them to stay in the Czech Republic, work and receive medical care. Those who have already received a special visa automatically receive temporary protection. The validity of the visa was extended until March 31, 2024.

Spain

To arrive in Spain, you must have a biometric passport. If there is none, you should contact the nearest diplomatic mission of Ukraine on the territory of the EU countries and obtain a certificate confirming your identity and citizenship. You must also have an internal Ukrainian passport and, if available, a document confirming residence in Ukraine until February 24, 2022.

After crossing the Spanish border, it is possible to apply for temporary protection status. The country's authorities agree on the granting or refusal of protection within a maximum of 24 hours after the request. The protection gives a residence and work permit in Spain for a period of 1 year, which is automatically renewed for another year.

Refugees in Spain have the right to:

Ukrainian refugees / Photo: Getty Images

Refugees in Italy

Ukrainians do not need a visa to enter Italy if they have a biometric passport. With this document, you can stay in Italy for 90 days, after which you can obtain a residence permit.

In Italy, Ukrainians can choose on what basis to apply for a residence permit:

Temporary protection is valid for one year with the possibility of extension. It provides the right to residence, health care, access to housing, the labor market and education.

The "temporary protection" residence permit can be obtained by:

France

France continues to accept Ukrainian refugees. Yes, in order to receive temporary protection, you must be citizens of Ukraine and reside on its territory until February 24, 2022. You may not be citizens of Ukraine, but you must have the right to protection or a valid permanent residence permit granted by the authorities.

To obtain temporary protection status in France, you must submit an application to the prefecture of the department where the refugee lives or stays, or using the help of Accueil Ukraine points. You will be issued an APS Temporary Residence Permit.

Temporary protection in France is valid for six months and entitles you to:

Romania

You can enter Romania with a biometric, biometric or ordinary passport. You can stay in this country for 90 days in six months. During this time, it is possible to apply for temporary protection to the Romanian authorities.

Recall that from 2024, the rules for entering the EU countries will be tightened. These changes will affect both Ukrainians and citizens of other countries that have visa-free travel with the EU. So, to enter the European Union, you will have to obtain a special ETIAS permit and pay a fee of 7 euros for it.

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