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Up to 15 Ukrainian refugees with family in Jersey are due to arrive on the island in the coming fortnight – and Ministers are now considering whether it’s possible to welcome refugees without a local connection.
Currently, the island follows the Ukraine Family Scheme, which enables immediate and extended family members of Ukrainian nationals living in Jersey to apply for a visa to seek refuge in Jersey.
However, officials said Ministers are now “actively considering Jersey’s position, and potential next steps, after the UK Government launched its ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme.”
The scheme allows UK-based individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring Ukrainians to safety, even if they don’t have any family connection to the UK.
The first phase of the scheme allows ‘sponsors’ in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.
An update on any decisions taken in Jersey is expected later this week.
So far, the Government has refused to confirm how many Ukrainian refugees have settled on the island beyond a “small number”. They confirmed this afternoon, however, that “a further 10 to 15 arrivals are anticipated in the next fortnight, once visa applications have been processed by the Home Office.”
A spokesperson added that “Jersey officers are in touch with the UK to try to expedite this process as far as possible.”
Many islanders have already come forward to offer up their homes after the Government put out an appeal to understand what accommodation might be available.
A team has also been set up to provide support to any Ukranian people arriving in Jersey, who can be contacted by email or phone (01534 441144 – 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 16:00 on weekends).
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