Uniting for Ukraine

Uniting for Ukraine is a special initiative that provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are currently outside the United States to come to the United States temporarily. This program offers parole status, which allows eligible individuals to stay in the United States for a period of up to two years, subject to specific conditions and requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for parole under Uniting for Ukraine, the beneficiary must have a supporter who files a Form I-134A, Declaration of Financial Support, on their behalf. Beneficiaries are eligible for the process if they:

• Resided in Ukraine immediately before the Russian invasion (through Feb. 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).
  • If not a Ukrainian citizen, they must be an immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen beneficiary of Uniting for Ukraine with a valid passport.
• Have a supporter who filed a Form I-134A on their behalf that USCIS has vetted and confirmed as sufficient; and
• Clear biographic and biometric 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.

Applying for the Uniting for Ukraine Program

There are five steps to the application process for humanitarian parole under the Uniting for Ukraine program:

1. The applicant must have financial support from someone in the United States. This supporter must file Form I-134A online on behalf of the applicant in order for the applicant to be considered for the program.
2. Once USCIS approves the Form I-134A, the applicant must create a myUSCIS account, provide all required biographical information, and attest that they have been vaccinated for measles, polio, and COVID-19. If a person has not been vaccinated for those diseases, they must obtain the first dose of the necessary vaccine prior to travel.
3. If USCIS approves the application for parole through the program, the applicant has 90 days to arrange their own air travel to the United States.
4. Once the applicant has arrived in the United States, they will be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and considered for humanitarian parole for up to two years. The applicant must receive a medical screening for tuberculosis within 90 days of their arrival in the United States.
5. If the applicant is granted humanitarian parole, they are automatically eligible to work in the United States through their parole status.

Eligibility for Supporters

A supporter of an individual applying for humanitarian parole under the Uniting for Ukraine program must be lawfully present in the United States. This includes: - U.S. citizens. - Lawful permanent residents, lawful temporary residents, and conditional permanent residents. - Nonimmigrants in lawful status. - Asylees, refugees, and parolees. - Recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). - Beneficiaries of deferred action (including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] and Deferred Enforced Departure [DED]).

Benefits of Parole

The Uniting for Ukraine parole pathway offers the following benefits:

• Temporary Stay: Successful applicants will be granted parole status, allowing them to temporarily reside in the United States for up to two years.
• Work Authorization: Parolees will be eligible to apply for work authorization, enabling them to seek lawful employment during their stay.
• Humanitarian Assistance: The program aims to address urgent humanitarian needs and offer support to eligible individuals and their families.
• Educational Opportunities: Parolees may explore educational opportunities and enroll in academic programs if desired.

Important Considerations

• Temporary Status: Parole does not lead to lawful permanent residency or a path to citizenship. It is a temporary status granted for a specific duration and purpose.
• Compliance with Parole Conditions: Parolees must comply with all parole conditions and regulations during their stay in the United States.
• Family Unity: The program aims to reunite eligible Ukrainian citizens with their immediate family members during their temporary stay in the U.S.

Disclaimer: Immigration laws and policies can change, affecting the availability and requirements of the immigration processes mentioned above. Always seek legal advice or consult official U.S. government sources to understand the latest regulations and options available to individuals.