How to stay in the US after Uniting for Ukraine (U4U): options for Ukrainians with a humanitarian password

Q: What is password status in the USA?

A password is a special legal status that allows a foreign citizen to actually stay in the United States for a certain period of time, while legally he or she is not considered to be admitted to the country.

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27 Sep. 2024

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How to stay in the US after Uniting for Ukraine (U4U): options for Ukrainians with a humanitarian password

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What is a ‘status password’ and when is it granted?
Short-term protection for persons with humanitarian parole
Long-term immigration for Ukrainians in the United States

How to stay in the US after Uniting for Ukraine (U4U): options for Ukrainians with a humanitarian password

After the start of the full-scale invasion, some Ukrainians moved to the United States for temporary residence. Many of them have been issued a ‘humanitarian status password’ to stay in the United States, but it is limited in duration. Find out how Ukrainians who came to the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) programme can stay in the country for a longer period of time

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In 2024, the ‘humanitarian password status’ for Ukrainians who came to the United States before or as a result of a full-scale invasion expires. Many of them have reasons to stay in America for a certain period of time - short or long. There are several ways to do this. Read the article to find out what options are available to Ukrainians with a humanitarian password.

What is a ‘status password’ and when is it granted?

Under the Immigration and Naturalisation Act (INA), pursuant to Section 212(D)(5) of the INA, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may grant a foreign national a status passport to enter and temporarily remain in the United States in extraordinary emergency situations, taking into account the existence of serious medical or humanitarian circumstances.

A password is a special legal status that allows a foreign national to actually stay in the United States for a certain period of time, while legally not being admitted to the country.

The password status is applied in situations requiring humane treatment of the Applicant or his/her family members, and can also be applied in cases of imminent threat to life or in the interests of US government agencies and society.

To learnmore about the temporary protection programme for Ukrainians in the United States and everything a Ukrainian immigrant in America needs to know, please follow the link

Short-term protection for persons with humanitarian parole

Upon expiry of the password status, the person must leave the territory of the United States. However, there are several options when a citizen of Ukraine can stay in the United States for a short (up to 2 years) or long (more than 2 years) period.

1. Temporary protection status (TPS)

Temporary protection status is granted to residents of a country where an armed conflict is ongoing, a difficult environmental situation has not been eliminated, or there are other circumstances determined by the USA authorities to be eligible for temporary protection status. The term TPS is defined in the Federal Register. Individuals with a TPS permit stay in the United States until the end of this term.

Typically, TPS is granted to a country for a period of 18 months. Currently, TPS for Ukrainians is valid until April 2025. At the end of 2024 or in 2025, the US authorities plan to extend it. It should be borne in mind that the review of one application takes 6-8 months, and the TPS period expires in accordance with the Federal Register regardless of the date when the Ukrainian received the relevant status.

As areminder, humanitarian passwords for Ukrainians in the United States have been extended. Read more in the material by Visit Ukraine.

2. Re-issue of the humanitarian password

In February 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that certain Ukrainian citizens and their family members could apply for a renewed humanitarian password. This can be done in person or online if there are compelling humanitarian reasons or if the person is of benefit to the US public. Each application is reviewed individually, and a ‘repeat humanitarian password’ is issued for 2 years after the primary humanitarian password has expired.

You can get a repeat humanitarian password in the following cases:

- If you received a humanitarian password as a beneficiary through the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) programme;

- if the humanitarian password was provided to DT class as Ukrainian refugees as a result of a full-scale invasion;

- if the humanitarian password is reissued to the DA class after a trip abroad;

To extend the humanitarian password, you must prove that:

- compelling humanitarian reasons continue to exist - and you should provide unique individual facts to support this need;

- are physically present in the United States;

- have fulfilled the conditions of the initial humanitarian passport (including meeting medical requirements, registering with the Election Services system, and updating your address with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services);

- passed the biographical and biometric data verification.

Long-term immigration for Ukrainians in the United States

There are several ways for Ukrainians to immigrate to the United States.

1. Family immigration

In order to stay in the United States for a long time on the basis of family immigration, you must have a relative in the United States who is a US citizen or a green card holder. There are two types of family-based immigration: direct relative or family-based preference.

The category of ‘direct relatives’ includes:

- husband/wife;

- parents (if the person is under 21 years of age);

- children over the age of 21.

The category of ‘family preference’ includes:

- unmarried men and unmarried women 21 years of age or older who are children of U.S. citizens;

- husbands, wives and unmarried children under the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents of the United States;

- unmarried men and unmarried women over the age of 21 who are children of lawful permanent residents of the United States;

- Married men and married women over the age of 21 who are children of U.S. citizens;

- siblings of U.S. citizens if the citizen is over 21 years of age.

2. Immigration through an employer

A company, organisation or educational institution must sponsor a Ukrainian citizen if he or she wants to use this type of immigration.

Please note! A humanitarian password is not sufficient grounds for obtaining an employment visa in the United States, so it is very difficult to obtain an employment visa while you have a valid ‘status password’.

Immigration through an employer is one of the newest and most complicated areas. We recommend that you contact Visit Ukraine's migration specialists for employment visas and other advice . We guarantee fast and qualified legal support!

3. Diversity Visa

Each year, the US Department of State uses the Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme lottery to determine a few winners who may be eligible for immigration to the United States. An application for a change of status must be submitted by a lawful permanent resident of the United States after the lottery is announced. Persons with humanitarian status cannot apply for adjustment of status.

4. Political asylum

Ukrainians with humanitarian status may be granted political asylum in the United States if they can prove to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that they have been persecuted on the territory of Ukraine on the basis of nationality, religion, political opinion, or other grounds, or have reason to believe that such persecution will be carried out. The person must provide evidence of persecution/potential persecution and that the Ukrainian authorities will not be able to protect them from such persecution.

Please note! The fact of military operations on the territory of the state is not a reason for obtaining political asylum in the United States.

Readmore about the United for Ukraine (U4U) 2024 programme in the Visit Ukraine article.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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asked questions

In what cases can a Ukrainian obtain humanitarian passport status in the United States?

Under the Immigration and Naturalisation Act (INA), pursuant to Article 212(D)(5) of the INA, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may grant a foreign national a password status to enter and temporarily remain in the United States in extraordinary emergency situations, taking into account the existence of serious medical or humanitarian circumstances.

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