What Is Uniting for Ukraine?

Uniting for Ukraine provides Ukrainian citizens a path to enter and remain in the United
States for a two-year period.
Ukrainians who wish to participate in this program must have a sponsor in the United
States who agree to provide financial assistance to them for the duration of their stay.
The application form, Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, may be prepared
and submitted online and is adjudicated by USCIS.
Once granted, applicants will be provided with instructions on how to complete administrative processing and arrange travel
to the United States. Once in the United States, applicants who wish to work must apply for employment authorization

Who Is Eligible?

Uniting for Ukraine applicants must:
Be physically outside of the United States
Have resided in Ukraine immediately before the Russian invasion (until February 11, 2022) and were displaced due to the
invasion
Also eligible for the program are immediate family members (including non-Ukrainian family members) who are
outside Ukraine. Immediate family members include the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian citizen and
unmarried children under the age of 21. Note: Children under 18 must be traveling with a parent or legal guardian
to benefit from this program.
Possess a valid Ukrainian passport
A child without a passport may be included on their parent’s Ukrainian passport. Non-Ukrainian citizens must be an
immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen with a valid passport.
Complete biographic and security checks, health screenings, and show proof of vaccinations (COVID-19, measles,
polio, etc.)
If a person is not vaccinated, they must have at least a first dose of a required vaccine prior to being authorized to
travel to the United States.
Have a United States-based sponsor willing to financially support them

Who Can Act as a Sponsor?

A sponsor is someone in the United States willing and able to support a Uniting for Ukraine applicant(s). Examples of the
types of support sponsors should be willing to provide include:
Receiving the applicant upon arrival in the United States and transporting them to initial housing
Ensuring that the applicant has safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their stay, as well as the necessities
When appropriate, helping the applicant complete necessary paperwork such as an application for employment
authorization, social security card, and for services for which they may be eligible
Ensuring that the applicant’s health care and medical needs are met
Assisting the applicant with educational needs such as learning English, securing employment, and enrolling children in
school
Note: Multiple sponsors may support one or more Ukrainian applicants

What Type of Evidence Should a Sponsor Submit?

In addition to submitting Form I-134, a sponsor should submit supporting evidence. Examples of the types of supporting
documentation that sponsors may submit include:
A signed statement from an officer of your bank or other financial institution that states when you opened an account,
the total amount deposited for the past year, and the present balance of such account
A signed statement from your employer on business letterhead that states the date and nature of your employment,
salary paid, and whether the position is temporary or permanent
If self-employed, a copy of your last income federal tax return filed, or a report of commercial rating concern
A list containing the serial numbers and denominations of bonds and names of the owners, if applicable

Is There an Application Fee?

There is no application fee to submit Form I-134.

What Happens After the Application Is Approved by USCIS?

Applicants will receive an email from USCIS notifying them about the next steps in the process, which include
having the applicant create an online account through USCIS, going through vetting and security checks, and
providing the applicant with authorization to travel. The travel authorization is valid for a period of 90 days.
Approved individuals must arrange and pay for their own travel to the United States. Ukrainian citizens and their
family members will need to meet all CDC travel requirements, including pre-departure testing for COVID-19.

What Is the Estimated Time for Processing?

DHS did not commit to a time frame, although it anticipates that the process will be “fairly quick.”

Do Ukrainians Need to Be in Europe to Apply?

No. While DHS believes most Ukrainians will apply from neighboring countries or other European Union nations,
Ukrainians in other countries may also apply. For example, Ukrainians in Mexico who were planning on applying for
parole directly at a port of entry on the United States–Mexico border could enter from Mexico after completing the
Uniting for Ukraine application process described above.

For more information on the Uniting for Ukraine program, please contact The Poonah Immigration Law
Firm at (678) 978-5848