Nearly 3,500 migrants from 112 countries including Iran, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, Nigeria and the Palestinian territories have entered Britain under Ukrainian refugee visa schemes, prompting critics to accuse the government of allowing the program to be “twisted” beyond its original humanitarian purpose.
Thousands of Asian, African and Middle Eastern migrants 'granted entry to UK under Ukrainian visas' https://t.co/3eHKJMiMYE
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) April 12, 2026
Nearly 3,500 migrants from Asia, Africa and the Middle East have entered Britain under government schemes designed to offer free visas to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to Home Office data analyzed by The Telegraph.
Visas were granted to individuals from 112 countries, including Iran, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, the Palestinian territories and Nigeria. Russians made up the largest non-Ukrainian group at 588, followed by Nigerians (408) and Afghans (294). Palestinians received 27 visas.
Both the family visa and Homes for Ukraine sponsorship schemes were established under the previous government but have continued under Labour as the war enters its fifth year.