USCIS Uniting for Ukraine

On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, which provides a pathway for
displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to
come to the United States and stay temporarily for 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.

Eligibility

• The Ukrainian national must have been a resident of Ukraine prior to February 11, 2022.
• What is considered a “resident of Ukraine”?
o Ukrainian citizen with a valid Ukrainian passport
o Ukrainian children should be included on their parents’ passport
o Non-Ukrainian immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen applying under the

Uniting for Ukraine pathway

• The Ukrainian resident must have been displaced as a result of the invasion
• The Beneficiary must have a supporter in the U.S., who has filed a Form 1-134, “Declaration of
Financial Support” on their behalf and is sufficient according to the USCIS

Step 1: Financial Support
Individuals participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have financial support in the U.S. 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. There is no fee to file a Form I-134.
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.

Examples of individuals who meet the supporter requirement include:
• U.S. citizens and nationals;
• Lawful permanent residents, lawful temporary residents, and conditional permanent
residents;
• Nonimmigrants in lawful status (that is, who maintain the nonimmigrant status and have not
violated any of the terms or conditions of the nonimmigrant status);
• Asylees, refugees, and parolees;
• TPS holders; and
• Beneficiaries of deferred action (including DACA) or Deferred Enforced Departure.

Who Is Not Eligible for Parole Under Uniting for Ukraine

• Ukrainian citizens who are present in the United States will not be considered for parole under
Uniting for Ukraine. However, Ukrainian citizens present in the United States may be eligible
for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). For more information, please see our Temporary
Protected Status for Ukraine page.
• Children traveling without their parent or legal guardian are not eligible for parole under
Uniting for Ukraine. Upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, a child who is not traveling with their
parent or legal guardian may be placed in the custody of the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), as required by law under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
of 2008 (TVPRA), to protect the child from human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
For more information, please visit the HHS Unaccompanied Children webpage.

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 undergo
medical screening and provide complete vaccination summary, such as 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 U.S.

Vaccination Changes

On August 10, 2022, DHS updated the COVID-19 vaccination requirement stating that effective
immediately all beneficiaries aged 6 months and older must have an attestation stating that they
received COVID-19 vaccinations both before traveling to the U.S. and after arrival unless they are
eligible for an exception. Previously, children aged 5 and under fell under the exception.
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 90 days 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 and security checks. Anyone determined to pose a national security or public
safety threat will be referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). All individuals must
pass biometric and biographic screening and vetting security checks.
Individuals traveling to the U.S. must have a valid passport, or, if a child without their own passport, be
included in a parent’s passport, and adhere to travel requirements as outlined by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including pre-departure testing for COVID-19.
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.
If you are interested in being a Supporter for a Ukraine resident, please contact us at
info@poonahimmigrationlaw.com