'It's a violation of our rights to force us apart'

Gary Willard with his fiancée Daryna Rudomiotova, their daughter Emilia and Ms Rudomiotova's son Alex

A couple is calling for the UK government to create a "fairer and more affordable" scheme for Ukrainian nationals to allow them to remain in the country permanently.

Daryna Rudomiotova is living in East Sussex with her fiance Gary Willard, their baby daughter Emilia and her nine-year-old son Alex in Bexhill.

Ms Rudomiotova is staying in the UK under the Home for Ukraine Scheme which allows Ukrainians and their immediate family to remain in the country for three years.

According to the Home Office, the Ukraine Scheme is a temporary sanctuary in line with the Ukrainian government's desire for the return of its citizens, which does not lead to settlement.

Ms Rudomiotova said her stay was due to expire in November 2026 and while she could apply for an extra 18-month stay under the Ukraine Permission Extension, it would not count towards the residence requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

"There is a lot of uncertainty with our situation because the scheme doesn't allow Alex and I to stay permanently," she said.

The couple added they have been following Ukraine news closely as world leaders discuss the war-torn country's future.

Ms Rudomiotova, who has been in the UK since 2022 and works at a care home, felt it was "too dangerous" to return.

"Gary and I have created a life together. Alex loves his school and it would be sad for him to leave his friends," she said.

"It would be tough for him to relocate to Ukraine as he no longer speaks the language."

Mr Willard said he had spoken to two immigration consultants who advised him the only available route at the moment was for Ms Rudomiotova to apply for a spouse visa and Alex to apply for a dependent child visa.

"These visas cost more than £7,000 upfront, including the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and are valid for 2.5 years," he said.

"We would need to renew for another 2.5 years, which cost roughly the same as the first visa, before being eligible for ILR."

Mr Willard added the application for ILR was another cost to be factored in, as well as additional expenditures including legal advice, biometric tests and English language tests.

Ms Rudomiotova says there was a lot of "uncertainty" with their situation and in Ukraine

Mr Willard said their joint income also exceeded the fee waiver threshold.

"With rent, energy bills, food and childcare, saving this amount is extremely difficult," he added. "We are a working family living month-to-month."

Mr Willard said this had put a "huge strain" on their mental health and ability to plan for the future.

He is calling for a policy change to allow time on the scheme to count towards ILR, or to introduce a reduced-cost, streamlined settlement option for families already contributing to UK society.

"It's a violation of our human rights to force us apart. There needs to be a fairer and more affordable scheme available," he said.

He added Emilia would suffer "long-lasting harm" if she were separated from her mother and brother.

What are the Home Office's rules?

According to the Home Office, it is continuing to keep the Ukraine Schemes and the evolving situation in Ukraine under active review. Details on the future of the schemes will be available in due course.

The family Immigration Rules ensure those who are seeking to establish or maintain their family life in the UK are in a "genuine and subsisting relationship, financially independent and able to speak English".

Applicants who cannot meet all the eligibility requirements may still be granted permission where there are exceptional circumstances which mean refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences for the applicant or their family.