Ukrainian refugees say they’re left in limbo as the end of their visa period approaches

They arrived in Adelaide three years ago with a wave of public sympathy, but with their visas expiring next year refugees from Ukraine want answers about what will happen next.

Ukrainian refugees who fled war in their homeland and came to South Australia say their futures are unclear, their mental health is suffering and securing housing and jobs is becoming harder because they federal government is refusing to provide clarity on what will happen when their visas expire next year.

There are an estimated 400 Ukrainian refugees in South Australia, of which 286 are on three-year humanitarian visas that will expire mid-2025.

But while the federal government has assured Ukraniains they will not be forced out of Australia, they have also provided no certainty about the circumstances in which they can stay; and that is already causing complications for housing, employment and education for the refugees.

Yuliya and Volodymyr Klymenko, with their children Luka and Tereza are refugees from Ukraine now living in Mile End. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Helping Ukrainians Australia humanitarian support worker Tania Jarema-Norton said “people don’t really know what they should be doing, should they be planning to return?’’.

“They feel like they’ve been forgotten a bit, governments turn their heads towards some other nationalities and other issues and maybe forgotten about them,’’ she said.

Most of the refugees who arrived in SA received temporary humanitarian visas that allowed them to work, access Medicare and Centrelink and send children to school. But they were limited to three years.

Yuliya Klymenko, with children Luka and Tereza, was looking for a pathway to stay in Adelaide. Picture: Russell Millard

Yuliya Klymenko arrived in Adelaide with her two children Luka and Tereza in April 2022 after fleeing the town of Shotomyn, about 15km from Lviv in western Ukraine. Ms Klymenko left behind husband Volodomyr, who has since joined the family in Adelaide.

Ms Klymenko, 37, said the children, who are now 12 and eight, are settled in school and Volodymyr is working two jobs. A qualified interior designer, Ms Klymenko is working at a firm in the city.

She said the family was looking for a pathway to remain in Australia,

“We work full-time, pay taxes, we contribute to the country and society,’’ she said.

She said she would like the government to outline a path for the family to be granted permanent residency.

Mariana Loza and son Bohdan are worried about their visa status. Picture Mark Brake

Mariana Loza escaped Ukraine with her son Bohdan and said after a difficult start in Adelaide she wanted to stay in “this wonderful country’’.

“The first six months were psychologically difficult for me and my son, everything was new, I had to start life from scratch,’’ she said.

Now, she is worried that her 15-year-old son won’t be able to finish school at Mercedes College.

Bohdan is in year 10 and like other students is already picking out subjects for year 11 and careers beyond – but he doesn’t know yet if he will have the opportunity to finish his schooling in Adelaide.

“It is difficult to plan anything because the situation with visas is unknown,’’ she said.

“I’m very worried because I see that Australia is a good, calm country, and for my son’s development and future placement, it is the best country. I would like to stay here.’’

Ms Loza, who worked in marketing in Ukraine, is employed as a cleaner and is worried her chances of switching visas will be hurt because “my English is poor’’, although she is taking lessons.

Bohdan who plays soccer and tennis for his school and is a member of a judo club would like to stay in Australia and has ambitions to be a mechanical engineer.

“It’s a nice school, there are a lot of nice places to go,’’ Bohdan said.

The humanitarian visa also makes it difficult for Ukranians to leave Australia as they would have to reply to return.

Mykhaylo Makar is a 26-year-old video editor who landed in Adelaide with wife Khrystyna, 24 and parents Andriy, who is 53, and Oksana, who is 46.

Mr Makar said it was upsetting that he was unable to return to Ukraine after his best friend was killed in combat. The soldier was also godson to his mother.

“She really wanted to go to Ukraine, but there’s this situation that if you leave Australia, you will not be able to come back,’’ he said.

Mr Makar said he was very grateful to Australia for accepting his family but not knowing the future was difficult and he had been knocked back on an application for permanent residency.

“Everyone is super, super stressful right now,’’ he said. “They feel betrayed. When you think about that, it’s very hard to be built a life as well in this situation, you don’t know what’s going to happen to you tomorrow. Maybe Australian Government will decide to kick us out. Maybe we should start looking for a new place to live. I don’t know.’’

Yaryna and Yuriy Kholodeno, with sons Taras 15, and Nazar, 13. They say their family is happy in Adelaide “being safe”. Picture: Supplied.

Yarnya Kholodenko lives in Adelaide with husband Yuriy and their two children Taras, 15, and Nazar, 13. Both are employed full time and the kids are doing well in school.

“It would be greatly appreciated if the government could provide a pathway for family reunification, as our home is now here,’’ she said.

“It is hard to put into words how happy our whole family is living in Adelaide and being safe.’’

A Home Affairs spokesperson said “the Government remains committed to supporting Ukrainians and their family members who are in Australia as a result of the war’’.

The spokesperson said Ukranians could “explore their visa options’’ through the Home Affairs website and apply for “skilled, family, student and visitor visa programs’’.