On April 21, 2022, the United States announced a key step toward fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole. Ukrainians participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States.

The first step in the Uniting for Ukraine process is for the U.S.-based supporter to file a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with USCIS. The U.S. government will then vet the supporter to ensure that they are able to financially support the individual whom they agree to support.

For more information on Uniting for Ukraine, see  https://www.uscis.gov/ukraine

Ukrainians who present at U.S. land ports of entry without a valid visa or without pre-authorization to travel to the United States through Uniting for Ukraine may be denied entry and referred to apply through this program.

Process

Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily, with a period of parole up to two years. Ukrainians participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. The process begins when the supporter files Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to include information both on the supporter and the Ukrainian beneficiary. Ukrainians who meet the requirements receive authorization to travel directly to the United States and seek parole at a port of entry.

Eligibility

Beneficiaries are eligible for the process if they:

• Resided in Ukraine immediately prior to the Russian invasion (until February 11, 2022) and were displaced as a result of the invasion;
• Are a Ukrainian citizen and possess a valid Ukrainian passport (or are a child included on a parent’s passport), or are a non-Ukrainian immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen who is applying through Uniting for Ukraine;
• Have a supporter who filed a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, on their behalf that has been confirmed as sufficient by USCIS;
• Complete vaccinations and other public health requirements, and;
• Clear biometric and biographic screening and vetting security checks.

Note: To be eligible for this process, children under the age of 18 must be traveling to the United States in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian.

Step 1: Financial Support

Individuals participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have financial support in the United States. A U.S.-based supporter will file a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with USCIS through the online myUSCIS web portal to initiate the Uniting for Ukraine process.

The supporter will then be vetted by the U.S. government to protect against exploitation and abuse, and ensure that they are able to financially support the individual whom they agree to support. Financial supporters must be verified and found eligible by the U.S. government before the Ukrainian beneficiary moves forward in the process.

Step 2: Submit Biographic Information in myUSCIS

Once a supporter has demonstrated sufficient financial support and is approved, the Ukrainian beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS on how to create an account with myUSCIS and instructions on next steps. The Ukrainian beneficiary will be required to confirm their biographic information in myUSCIS and attest to completing all eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Complete Vaccination Requirements

As part of confirming eligibility requirements in their myUSCIS account, individuals who seek authorization to travel to the United States via the Uniting for Ukraine process will need to confirm prior vaccination against measles, polio, and COVID-19. If not previously vaccinated, individuals will need to receive a first dose of required vaccines prior to obtaining travel authorization to come to the United States.

Step 4: Approval to Travel to the United States

After completing requirements, Ukrainians will receive a notice to their myUSCIS account confirming whether they are authorized to travel to the United States to seek parole. If approved, this authorization is valid for 90 days and Ukrainians are responsible to secure their own travel via air to the United States. Ukrainian citizens will need to meet other CDC travel requirements, including pre-departure testing for COVID-19.

Step 5: Seeking Parole at the Port of Entry

Upon their arrival at a port of entry, each individual will be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and considered for parole for a period of up to two years, and may have conditions placed on their parole. All individuals two years of age or older will need to complete a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an IGRA test, within two weeks of arrival to the United States.

As part of the Uniting for Ukraine process, Ukrainians will undergo additional screening and vetting, to include biometric vetting. Anyone determined to pose a national security or public safety threat will be referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ukrainians who present at U.S. land ports of entry without a valid visa or without pre-authorization to travel to the United States through Uniting for Ukraine may be denied entry and referred to apply through this program.

Step 6: Approved for Parole

If granted parole pursuant to this process, individuals will generally be paroled into the United States for a period of up to two years and are eligible to apply for employment authorization. Individuals may request authorization to work by filing a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS.

On April 18, 2022, the final details on the implementation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a special protection status for Ukrainian citizens in the United States, were officially announced.

The list of documents to be submitted for TPS can be found on the website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status

Temporary Protected Status will allow Ukrainian citizens to stay in the United States for up to 18 months with the possibility of applying for employment authorization in the United States.

Please note! The US authorities have extended the special status of temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens for another year and a half. This means that Ukrainians will be able to live in the United States as refugees until at least April 2025.