A Ukrainian refugee working as a carer in the North East is living in fear of being deported after the Home Office has still not issued her visa, six months after she arrived.

Liudmyla (Mila) Petrova fled the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine in May and sought refuge in County Durham under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The 41-year-old Ukrainian mum was granted six months leave to remain under the scheme and applied online for three years’ leave, just weeks after she arrived.

But six months on from her May 2 arrival she is still yet to receive her new visa, and from today is living in fear of losing her job and being kicked out of the country.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Mila Petrova arrived in the UK on May 2 under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme which gives six months leave. That six months expires today (November 2) but she is still waiting for her three-year visa despite applying months ago.Mila Petrova arrived in the UK on May 2 under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme which gives six months leave. That six months expires today (November 2) but she is still waiting for her three-year visa despite applying months ago. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Jamie Stocks, 54, who has been hosting Mila at his Willington home since her arrival branded the delay a ‘disagrace’.

He said: “Liudmyla’s got all this stress worrying about her family back in Ukraine and now she’s scared she’s going to be kicked out of the country and lose her job.

“Me and my daughter have come home to her crying before because she’s so worried about it.

“When we ring the Home Office they keep saying to ring again in five days and can’t tell us where the application is.”

Mila, who was forced to leave her son at home when she fled as he had just turned 18, has been working 12-hour night shifts at a local care home to pay rent on a flat for her son in the West of Ukraine, near the Polish border.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Mila, 41, (L) has been staying in Willington with Jamie Stocks, 54, (R) and his daughter since she arrived in May.Mila, 41, (L) has been staying in Willington with Jamie Stocks, 54, (R) and his daughter since she arrived in May. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The former accountant applied for her three years’ right to remain just weeks after arriving in the UK, under the Ukraine Extension Scheme, and had an appointment for her biometric passport four months ago on July 2, but is still yet to receive her visa now her six month leave is up.

James, a careers advisor, added: “She had been hoping to get home but it’s just not safe at the moment the way things are going.”

The D&S approached the Home Office for a statement but they did not respond in time for publication. 

Darlington and Stockton Times: Mila has been caring for the elderly at a local care home, working 12 hour night shifts since her arrival to pay rent on a flat for her son in a safer part of Ukraine. He was unable to flee with her because he had recently turned 18.Mila has been caring for the elderly at a local care home, working 12 hour night shifts since her arrival to pay rent on a flat for her son in a safer part of Ukraine. He was unable to flee with her because he had recently turned 18. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, including Willington, who has taken the case to the Home Office said: "Those in real need should always be welcomed on our shores and me and my team have always stepped up to help the families who have provided safety and security for Ukrainian refugees and will continue to do so."