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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine doctor desperate to be reunited with family | Ukraine doctor desperate to be reunited with family |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Ahmed, whose full name we are not using, with his wife and son back when they lived together in Ukraine | |
| A doctor from Ukraine hopes to be reunited with his family after finding himself in limbo in the UK after the Russian invasion. | A doctor from Ukraine hopes to be reunited with his family after finding himself in limbo in the UK after the Russian invasion. |
| Iraqi national Ahmed moved to Ukraine 16 years ago at the age of 18. | Iraqi national Ahmed moved to Ukraine 16 years ago at the age of 18. |
| After qualifying as a doctor, following in the footsteps of many other Ukrainians, he came to the UK in October 2021 to earn some extra money by doing seasonal work. | After qualifying as a doctor, following in the footsteps of many other Ukrainians, he came to the UK in October 2021 to earn some extra money by doing seasonal work. |
| February's invasion, however, left his plans of a six-month visit in tatters. | February's invasion, however, left his plans of a six-month visit in tatters. |
| Five months after applying, he is still waiting to hear if his bid for a new visa under the Ukraine Extension Scheme has been successful. | Five months after applying, he is still waiting to hear if his bid for a new visa under the Ukraine Extension Scheme has been successful. |
| His wife, a Ukraine national, and son hope at some point to join him. | His wife, a Ukraine national, and son hope at some point to join him. |
| In May they applied to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, but are likewise waiting on a decision. | In May they applied to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, but are likewise waiting on a decision. |
| Russian border | Russian border |
| "My wife is calling every day, crying, because we have never been separated," Ahmed said. | "My wife is calling every day, crying, because we have never been separated," Ahmed said. |
| He added his family was near the Russian border, in the east of the country, and were "in danger". | He added his family was near the Russian border, in the east of the country, and were "in danger". |
| Some cities in Ukraine have recently been under attack from Russian launched drones | Some cities in Ukraine have recently been under attack from Russian launched drones |
| The government said thousands of visas had been issued under the Homes for Ukraine scheme but extensive security checks were needed. | The government said thousands of visas had been issued under the Homes for Ukraine scheme but extensive security checks were needed. |
| Since April, Ahmed has been staying in Bomere Heath, Shropshire, with his aunt Helen Ayash-Hill and her husband Clive. | Since April, Ahmed has been staying in Bomere Heath, Shropshire, with his aunt Helen Ayash-Hill and her husband Clive. |
| She had not seen him since he was 13 and only learned he was in the UK thanks to a chance post on Facebook. | She had not seen him since he was 13 and only learned he was in the UK thanks to a chance post on Facebook. |
| Ahmed's six-month seasonal worker visa had seen him travel to Scotland, including time on a fruit farm. | Ahmed's six-month seasonal worker visa had seen him travel to Scotland, including time on a fruit farm. |
| As a newly-qualified doctor, he said he took home only about £200 a month in Ukraine and hoped the brief time in the UK would bring in some extra money. | As a newly-qualified doctor, he said he took home only about £200 a month in Ukraine and hoped the brief time in the UK would bring in some extra money. |
| Research by the Migration Observatory showed two thirds of the UK's seasonal worker visa holders issued in 2021 went to Ukrainians. | Research by the Migration Observatory showed two thirds of the UK's seasonal worker visa holders issued in 2021 went to Ukrainians. |
| Financial support | Financial support |
| Finding himself in an impossible situation after the invasion, Ms Ayash-Hill said she had urged her nephew to travel down to Shropshire. | Finding himself in an impossible situation after the invasion, Ms Ayash-Hill said she had urged her nephew to travel down to Shropshire. |
| After staying with her for two months, she offered him a house so his family could join him. | After staying with her for two months, she offered him a house so his family could join him. |
| "It does seem weird after 22 years to meet Ahmed again," Ms Ayash-Hill said. | "It does seem weird after 22 years to meet Ahmed again," Ms Ayash-Hill said. |
| "We get on well and have many conversations about Iraq, Baghdad, Religion and family. He wants to make his future here and work as a doctor." | "We get on well and have many conversations about Iraq, Baghdad, Religion and family. He wants to make his future here and work as a doctor." |
| Her husband Clive has also offered to sponsor them on a Homes for Ukraine visa. | Her husband Clive has also offered to sponsor them on a Homes for Ukraine visa. |
| So far Ahmed has relied on his aunt for financial support, but if the visa comes through he plans to take a PLAB test, to allow him to work as a doctor in the UK. | So far Ahmed has relied on his aunt for financial support, but if the visa comes through he plans to take a PLAB test, to allow him to work as a doctor in the UK. |
| He said he was "very upset and disappointed" by the visa delays, adding he had contacted the Home Office several times. | He said he was "very upset and disappointed" by the visa delays, adding he had contacted the Home Office several times. |
| A government spokesperson said: "More than 137,200 visas have been issued since we launched Homes for Ukraine, with thousands of families settling into life in the UK. | A government spokesperson said: "More than 137,200 visas have been issued since we launched Homes for Ukraine, with thousands of families settling into life in the UK. |
| "Extensive security checks take place before any visa is granted to ensure all sponsor arrangements are suitable." | "Extensive security checks take place before any visa is granted to ensure all sponsor arrangements are suitable." |
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