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More than 10 million Ukrainians have left their homes since February 24, when Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. 6.5 million moved to safer regions of our country, while more than 4 million went abroad. Lviv Now found out what opportunities Ukrainians have abroad, what is the difference between refugee status and a person in need of temporary protection, and which countries in the West provide the best conditions for our compatriots to stay.
In the realities of war, the rules of stay of Ukrainians in the Schengen area have changed. Now, instead of 90 days a year, Ukrainians fleeing the war will have the right to live and work in the European Union for up to three years, according to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This is an unprecedented change in EU law, ratified by it for all member states.
This means that Ukrainians have the right to live, work, receive medical care, housing and education for up to one year. This package of services is provided immediately after arriving in the country, and they also greatly simplify the usual procedure for obtaining refugee status, which was previously ratified in Europe.
Temporary protection status was established in 2001 after the Yugoslav wars. It speeds up the provision of asylum to people from a particular country, and in this sense is much more effective than the classic procedure for obtaining refugee status, which can take months and does not entitle you to work in the first half of your stay in the new country. This status could be extended for another two years if the war lasts long.
Ukrainians are also exempt from paying for train tickets to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium and Denmark.
Poland
Most Ukrainians are now in Poland – over 2.5 million. 700,000 of them received the PESEL – Polish identification number, with which the state registers citizens. Now, every Ukrainian is able to get it, but the procedure may take several days due to the unprecedented influx of our citizens.
With the PESEL number, Ukrainians seeking refuge in Poland receive a one-time fee of PLN 300 and another PLN 500 per child. After receiving it, you can work legally, get insurance and medical care. Poles who accept Ukrainians receive from the Polish government compensation of 40 zlotys per day.
You can legally stay in Poland for 18 months. After that, you must apply for a residence permit for up to three years. Ukrainians in Poland have the right to get a job under a simplified procedure and receive free medical care. Ukrainian children can also go to Polish schools for free, and students – to public universities and receive additional scholarships and student loans.
Free Polish language courses are also held in Polish educational institutions and public organizations.
Slovakia
There are now more than 300,000 of our citizens in Slovakia who fled the Russian-Ukrainian war. You can also get temporary shelter in this country. If Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection status, they have the right to officially work. Employment can be made in the form of a job contract or a contract of job relations without employment.
Ukrainians in Slovakia can count on monthly payments of 68.80 euros per person. Couples without children receive 179 euros in assistance, with children – 130 euros. If there are more than four children – 241.30 euros.
You can also get free treatment for health problems in Slovakia. Ukrainians will also have the right to urgent and necessary medical care. It also means the kind of medical care that the doctor recommends during the examination. There is an outpatient emergency service or a central hospital reception in the area or city concerned.
If Ukrainians are just passing through Slovakia, but the destination is another country, they will still be entitled to an emergency and necessary medical care from a health care provider under a contract with General Health Insurance. Patients will have to pay for other medical care.
After receiving a document on temporary protection, or political asylum, Ukrainians have the right to a full range of medical services. In the event of a threat to life, medical care is provided immediately and free of charge to all.
If Ukrainians are just passing through Slovakia, or are still receiving temporary asylum status, you can simply ask for certain medicines, as well as medical equipment and dietary food. Prescriptions can also be issued by general practitioners. In the case of COVID-19, Slovakia will bear all the costs of examination and care.
Ukrainian children can attend Slovak public schools. In Slovakia, school attendance is compulsory for children under the age of 16, so they will be allowed to study at schools in their place of residence or other designated place.
To send a child to school, Ukrainians need to apply for temporary asylum, or asylum for a child, visit the chosen kindergarten or school, and provide the principal with documents. Children are waiting for testing to determine their level of general education and the level of knowledge of the Slovak language. After that, language courses will be organized, after which the child will be enrolled in the appropriate class for the appropriate year.
Czech Republic
Up to 300,000 Ukrainians came to the Czech Republic from Ukraine, half of them children. Ukrainians in the Czech Republic can expect payments in the amount of CZK 5,000 once a month for six months, while they are in the Czech Republic and in need of temporary protection.
To receive assistance, our fellow citizens must obtain a tolerance visa. The Czech Ministry of the Interior has already issued more than 200,000 of them. Payments are expected for six months, while the Ukrainian will look for work in the Czech Republic. If you can’t find a job within six months, you can apply for another five months of such payments.
You must register in the Czech Republic 30 days after arrival. Until now, you can stay in the country without official status and documents. And a special work permit is not required in the Czech Republic. Ukrainians can look for work without having to visit an employment office. To simplify the process, the labour office offers its services to Ukrainians. More than 300,000 vacancies are already available. Most of them – for people without education or with basic education, media «European Pravda» writes.
Ukrainians in the Czech Republic can also register as unemployed. The employment office will then provide them with advice and, subject to conditions, support. If necessary, it will refer them to retraining and help with employment.
In addition, Ukrainians in the Czech Republic have access to health care and education.
Germany
More than 300,000 Ukrainians have already arrived in Germany. The amount of benefits they receive varies greatly depending on which federal state they are in, their age, and marital status.
In the refugee camp, Ukrainians can receive 105-109 euros per child and 131-163 euros per month for adults. If a person lives outside the camp, he or she can receive benefits ranging from 249 to 283 euros for a child and 294-367 euros for an adult, respectively.
In addition, the cost of rent and heating is covered, as well as one-time assistance for household items. By the way, in Germany, you can even apply for social housing. According to the law, each person must be provided with at least 45 square meters, and the state compensates for their cost. That is, the state gives monetary compensation to Ukrainians who find an apartment on the ad and rent it within a certain amount of money and square meters.
Germany also offers a social support package that includes free language courses, telephone benefits and basic medical services, as well as the right to education and employment. The term of assistance for Ukrainians is 12 months. But if the war in Ukraine does not end during this time, this term will be extended for another six months automatically, without re-appeal.
The laws in force in Germany for refugees from Ukraine (§24 AufenthG) allow temporary migrants to start working immediately after the immigration authorities issue a residence permit. Permission from the Federal Employment Agency is not required. Special employment offices help Ukrainians find a suitable job and provide a wide range of support, namely: resume spending on coaching, coaching or courses that are free.
Under current German law, all children between the ages of six and seven are required to attend school. If they do not speak German very well or at all, it is possible to attend free language courses.
Also, Ukrainians can apply to the authorities for recognition of their Ukrainian diplomas. On the portal for the recognition of professions of the Federal Institute of Vocational Education you can find a service that is responsible for a particular profession. To be recognized for a higher education diploma, you must apply to the Central Office for Foreign Education.
France
The French government says more than 30,000 people have arrived from Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. Ukrainians automatically acquire the status of temporarily protected persons in the EU, in particular in France. This is the right to legally live and work in any country of the European Union for one year with the right to extend this period to three years, if the security situation in Ukraine does not change. In addition, Ukrainians in France can access medical care and financial assistance.
Temporary protection status will allow them to receive free medical care immediately after registration in France, as well as the services of a psychologist.
In the Paris «hub», which receives Ukrainians, you can get a document from the French Office of Immigration and Integration (Offi). This is an ADA card, which entitles you to financial assistance of 6.80 euros per day per person (14.20 euros in the absence of free housing). You can find out about additional benefits here.
Non-governmental organizations such as France Terre d’asile, whose representatives can be found in the same Paris expo center, help Ukrainian refugees to find housing. Possible options are: temporary housing in sanatoriums and recreation centers, communal housing (house or apartment for several families) or private ads from the French. Several specialised groups can be found here and here on Facebook.
The Federation of French Entrepreneurs has pledged to offer 10,000 jobs to Ukrainian refugees by the end of June. Almost 600 companies across the country will be involved in the initiative. Contracts will include language assistance and supplementary health insurance. Vacancies can also be found here.
Different regions of the country have independently taken the initiative to help Ukrainians in France. Brittany, the north and the south of France are ready to provide 60 temporary contracts to Ukrainians for the care of landscaping, construction and agricultural work.
Ukrainians are offered free French language courses by both NGOs and city halls, as well as the Office of Immigration and Integration.
Training from the age of three is compulsory in the country. This also applies to students who do not speak French: they are temporarily sent to a special class, where they will have 18 hours of French a week. Almost 1,000 Ukrainian children have already been admitted to French schools.
Public kindergartens and schools in France are free. In order to register with them, you need to contact the city hall of the city where you plan to stay. Detailed information in Ukrainian can be found here. About other administrative procedures in Ukrainian – by this link.
Italy
72,000 refugees from Ukraine have already arrived in Italy. They can obtain a residence permit in this country for 12 months, which will provide access to education, the labor market, health services and some social benefits. Also, everyone arriving from Ukraine can receive a monthly allowance of 300 euros, which is paid for a maximum of three months.
After being granted asylum in Italy (as a refugee or person in need of additional protection), Ukrainians acquire certain rights, but also responsibilities. The UN website states that the residence permit will be valid for five years, but may be extended.
Ukrainians in this country have the right to work, education, social security and medical care on the same terms as Italian citizens. After receiving a certificate of protection, they can go abroad. To do this, our citizens must apply for a travel document. Ukrainians can visit EU countries on the same rights as under Ukrainian law: stay there for no more than 90 days for six months.
If a Ukrainian applies for refugee status, after 5 years of continuous stay in Italy, he can legally apply for a long-term residence permit, and after 10 years if he receives the status of a person in need of additional protection.
Children between the ages of six and 16 are required to attend school.
Switzerland
Switzerland gives Ukrainians a status it has never given to anyone. This was reported by European Pravda, citing SwissInfo. Residents of Ukraine who come to this country due to the Russian-Ukrainian war receive a special status «S». It was developed for the people of the former Yugoslavia during the hostilities in the Balkans, but was implemented after its completion in June 1999, so it has never been used.
This status greatly simplifies bureaucratic procedures for the rapid admission of Ukrainians. Those who receive it can cross the border and return to Switzerland without a travel permit. A biometric document, visa, and Covid-19 vaccination are not required.
At least until May 31, 2022, our citizens can ride free public transport.
Ukrainians can stay in Switzerland for three months without a visa or residence permit if they live with relatives or individuals. In this case, they are not subject to compulsory health insurance. When registering an application for temporary protection, the person will be referred to the canton, which registers him for compulsory health insurance, records and covers all costs. If one of the Ukrainians needs urgent help, and they did not have time to get the «S» status, all costs are covered by the public sector.
In addition, the Swiss government promotes the social and professional integration of refugees. Ukrainians with S status receive social assistance from the canton and are entitled to employment without a waiting period. But they can also look for a job on their own.
Ukrainian and foreign diplomas are valid in Switzerland, but their recognition is required only for professions regulated in this country, such as doctors. Children can attend school.
United Kingdom
There are several options for emigrating from Ukraine to the UK. If a refugee has close relatives who legally reside in the country, he or she must obtain an entry visa, fill out an online application and wait for an interview. If the procedure is successful, the Ukrainian will receive the right to stay legally for up to three years.
There is a second option of emigration in case the person does not have a visa and close relatives. This is stated in the program «Homes for Ukraine» proposed by the British government, according to Reuters. To do this, it is necessary to find a sponsor among the residents, who can be not only a citizen but also a person who lives in the UK legally. The sponsor is obliged to provide a room or separate accommodation to refugees for at least six months. He will receive a payment of 350 pounds per person. Ukrainians, on the other hand, will be entitled to employment and medical care for three years.
As of April 13, 56,500 visas for Ukrainians in Britain with 94,700 applications had been issued under both schemes, the BBC reports.
You can get to the UK by Eurotunnel trains departing from Brussels, Amsterdam, Lille and Paris, or by Wizzair planes, receiving a free ticket with a Ukrainian passport.
Refugees can also receive social benefits while looking for work. This also applies to those whose income is low. Social benefits are received monthly (the amount in each case is individual). To do this, contact the local employment center and follow a number of recommendations for finding a job, as well as open your own bank account. Proof of identity, immigration status and address of residence must be provided.
Refugees with minor children (under 16) can receive social assistance for them.
To access medical services, you must have an NHS number, which can be used to make an appointment with a general practitioner. To do this, you need to register directly with the specialist or make an appointment at the hospital, come for an interview at a certain time, provide these documents and information and get an NHS number. To obtain access to a wider range of medical services, you can contact private clinics if you have health insurance.
To place a child in school, you need to contact the local council. It should be noted that the application process in each part of the UK is different.
Canada
The Government of Canada has processed 120,000 applications received through the Canadian-Ukrainian Emergency Travel Program (CUAET). More than 41,000 Ukrainians have already applied to enter Canada, Canadian Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship (IRCC) Minister Sean Fraser told the Canadian newspaper Toronto Star.
Ukrainians are being evacuated to this country even by charter flights. After the full-scale invasion of Russia, Canada offers them an accelerated path to obtaining the right to reside in their country for up to three years, be employed and trained.
The migration program for Ukrainians began on March 17, according to the Canadian government’s website. It provides for a residence permit for up to three years. The Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Canada Andrii Bukvych said that under this program, Ukrainians will be able to obtain a visa free of charge, obtain the status of a temporary resident of Canada, the right to employment, free education for children in schools, colleges and universities. At the same time, the program does not provide any payments, free housing and medical services.
All citizens of Ukraine and their close relatives of any citizenship can take part in the program. It is not necessary to have a passport: Canada will issue a one-time travel document.
To obtain asylum, you need to submit a simple electronic application and biometric data at any Canadian visa center (they are available in different countries). The entire visa process is free and will take no more than two weeks, according to the Canadian government.
The program is also relevant for those citizens of Ukraine who were caught in the war in Canada. They are allowed to apply for an extension of the right to stay in the country for up to three years. However, the program does not provide refugee status, citizenship, or a permanent residence permit in Canada. Those who want to move to Canada can also take advantage of current federal and provincial migration programs, according to DW.
In addition, the Government of Canada has created a special website where Canadian employers can leave vacancies for Ukrainians.
USA
Paradoxically, the United States has proved to be one of the most closed and worst-off countries in terms of opportunities for refugees from Ukraine fleeing the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Only on April 19, two months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, did the United States introduce temporary protection status for Ukrainians who found themselves in the United States during the war.
Despite statements that the United States is ready to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, as of April 13, only 704 people were accepted in the United States. But most of them, namely 427, arrived in February. In March, the United States received only 12 Ukrainian refugees, according to several publications. Ukrainians are even entering the United States through Mexico to simplify the border crossing process, as many direct flights have been canceled.
As of April 7, nearly 2,400 Ukrainians were in Tijuana, Mexico, waiting to cross the border into the United States, Enrique Lucero, Tijuana’s city director for migration, told the news agency Reuters.
«Migrants spend between $ 3,000 and $ 6,000 to travel to Tijuana, although train operators across Europe offer free travel,» – he said.
Reuters says between 100 and 200 Ukrainians arrive in the border town of Tijuana every day after arriving in the Mexican capital, Mexico City, or Cancun via various European countries.
At the same time, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak, wrote in a Telegram: the Temporary Protected Status announced in early March is an important work for the citizens of Ukraine.
Temporary protection status allows Ukrainians to stay in the United States for up to 18 months with the ability to apply for a work permit.
Roman Tyshchenko-Lamanskyi, translated by Vitalii Holich
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