Ukrainians blocked from skilled jobs and apprenticeships by temporary visa status, research finds

Thousands of displaced Ukrainians are being prevented from contributing fully to the UK economy because temporary immigration status restricts access to skilled jobs, apprenticeships and educational opportunities, according to new University of Birmingham research.

The report, Beyond Sanctuary: Building the Future of Ukrainians in the UK, draws on responses from more than 5,400 Ukrainians living across the UK. Despite more than 80% holding a bachelor's degree and over 60% a master's degree, many remain unable to access jobs matching their qualifications because of uncertainty over their long-term status.

Sara Jones, Professor of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Birmingham, who led the research, said: “Ukrainians in the UK have shown a remarkable commitment to building their lives here. They are working, studying and raising families in British communities.

“However, temporary visa arrangements are holding many people back from rebuilding professional careers, accessing training and planning for the future. The UK has welcomed a highly skilled population, but uncertainty over long-term status is preventing many from reaching their full potential and helping to address skills shortages.”

Overqualified but underutilised

The survey found that visa insecurity is the single biggest barrier to skilled employment. Nearly two-thirds (63.6%) of respondents facing employment challenges said their temporary status had affected their ability to access jobs that match their qualifications and experience.

The findings also reveal a significant underutilisation of talent. Although more than four in five respondents hold a university degree, 45.5% said they could not find employment in their field and had to find work in a different sector from the one they were skilled in. A further 14.2% said they were working at a lower skill level than previously.

Overall, three-quarters (75.2%) of respondents reported barriers to working in the same profession and at the same level as before displacement. Many respondents reported moving into hospitality, retail and social care roles with lower qualification requirements, despite having qualifications and professional experience in other sectors.

Researchers say temporary immigration status is also limiting access to apprenticeships, professional training and higher education opportunities, creating further obstacles for people seeking to retrain, gain UK-recognised qualifications or address workforce shortages in key sectors.

Barriers for young people taking their next steps

The study found that uncertainty over future immigration status is having a particular impact on teenagers and young adults planning their education and careers.

More than one in nine parents (11.6%) reported that their child had experienced difficulties accessing higher education, college, apprenticeships or other vocational training opportunities in the UK.

Among those reporting difficulties, the most common challenge was being unable to access apprenticeships because of short-term visa status (41.7%). Other barriers included difficulties understanding the UK higher education system (28.3%), problems registering with UCAS (7.3%) and challenges starting or continuing further education courses (6.5%).

Professor Irina Kuznetsova, from the University of Birmingham and co-author on the study, said: “Many young Ukrainians have spent formative years building their lives in the UK, progressing through school and becoming part of their local communities.

“Families told us that uncertainty about what happens next is creating significant anxiety for children and young people. Many are trying to make important decisions about further education, apprenticeships and careers without knowing whether they will be able to remain in the UK long-term, or are unable to access the resources they need to build their futures.”

The researchers are calling on policymakers to establish a clear and affordable pathway to permanent residence for displaced Ukrainians and to remove barriers preventing access to skilled employment, apprenticeships, higher education and professional accreditation. The report’s authors further call for policies that:

1. Address barriers to further and higher education and apprenticeships for displaced Ukrainians, especially those caused by short-term visa status.
2. Draw on localised best practice to create national programmes that facilitate access to skilled employment (e.g., mentorship, work experience, English language training).
3. Work with professional bodies to create fast-track routes for the formal recognition of Ukrainian qualifications, including for health practitioners.

The report concludes that Ukrainians have integrated successfully into British society despite ongoing visa uncertainty. Researchers argue that a clear route to permanence would help people rebuild careers, plan for the future and make an even greater contribution to the UK economy and communities.