Uniting for Ukraine: Helping Ukrainians Enter and Remain in the US

In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a war that shook the world. Though the Russo-Ukrainian war dates back to 2014, the invasion in 2022 was one of the largest attacks a European country had ever experienced outside the World War. Due to the seriousness of the war, millions of Ukrainians were displaced and left homeless.

In response to the crisis, as global support for Ukraine intensified, the United States introduced a legal pathway for Ukrainians and their families to enter and temporarily stay in the U.S. Keep reading to find out more about how this humanitarian initiative works.

How Does Uniting for Ukraine Work? 

Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) is a humanitarian project pioneered by the President Biden administration. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the body responsible for U4U, but its sub-division called US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) coordinates the program. 

The program’s goal is to cushion the effects of the war on the affected people and help interested people flee the war to safety. Through it, any Ukrainian citizen displaced by the war can gain legal entry into the US via a route called “humanitarian parole,” and remain in the country for up to 2 years. 

Besides its temporary legal stay in the US for a parole period, the benefits of Uniting for Ukraine include:

• Eligibility for employment authorization for professional and skilled jobs that fall within the parole status options
• Access to healthcare programs, such as emergency Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Third-party financial aid and other benefits 

These benefits aren’t directly from the humanitarian mission. Instead, various sponsors, non-governmental organizations, and communities collaborate with the project to provide eligible beneficiaries with financial assistance, housing and other provisions. 

How much money do Ukrainian refugees get in the USA?

Simply put, they don’t get money from the government. However, they may receive stipends from NGOs and various countrywide or state public assistance programs. These sponsors and public programs play a vital role in ensuring Ukrainians who enter the US get adequate support financially and otherwise. 

Who Is Eligible for Uniting for Ukraine?

Though the Uniting for Ukraine program is open to all the citizens of the European country, you must meet the following requirements to qualify for the program’s humanitarian parole: 

• Be a Ukrainian resident as of February 2022 and be displaced by the invasion 
• Be a Ukrainian citizen 
• Be a non-Ukrainian citizen but an immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen 
• Have a supporter or sponsor who is a US resident file a Form I-134A on your behalf 
• Have a clear pass for vaccinations and other public health requirements
• Complete and pass biometric and biographic screening and background checks
• Have a valid Ukrainian passport 

If you’re a Ukrainian citizen already residing in the United States, you’re not eligible for parole under U4U. 

How To Apply for Uniting for Ukraine

You can apply for temporary parole under the Uniting for Ukraine program by following the steps below:

1. Get a supporter living in the US and willing to file the Form I-134A online to declare their support for you
2. Upon the declaration approval by the USCIS, create a myUSCIS account on the website and provide all the required information. These include identity-related details and an attestation that you’ve been vaccinated for polio, COVID-19, and measles
3. If your application is approved, you’ll get a U4U travel authorization to be in the US within 90 days
4. Upon arrival, get a clear pass at the border and humanitarian parole for up to 2 years 

Besides the Declaration of Financial Support Form, other necessary documents to have before and upon arrival in the US include: 

• The supporter’s birth certificate or other proofs of identity and citizenship 
• Pay stubs or financial records with adequate income to support the applicant 
• Marriage certificate, birth certificate or other evidence of a relationship between the beneficiary and dependents, if applicable 
• Medical/vaccination records 
• Ukrainian passport or another proof of citizenship

Can You Apply for U4U With Your Family?

You can apply for Uniting for Ukraine parole with your family, including your spouse and kids. But your supporter will need to complete and submit individual Form 1-134A for everyone. They must also have adequate proof of funds, and you must verify your relationship with your family members using a marriage certificate, birth certificate or adoption documents, where necessary.

You can keep tabs on your application status by logging in to the USCIS online account. 

United for Ukraine Processing Time and Fees 

The DHS hasn’t set a fixed duration for the application process as of the time of writing. However, you can expect the application to be relatively quick based on the surrounding circumstances. The application is also free. But you must cover your vaccination, travel, and other expenses yourself. 

What If Your Application Gets Rejected?

If your application gets declined at the first attempt, crosscheck all the supporting documents and try again. If you believe you were wrongly denied, you can appeal the decision alongside an immigration attorney or expert. 

What Is the Legal Status of Participants When in the US?

Generally, when your application is approved, you’ll get authorization to travel to the US. However, it doesn’t mean automatic entry, as you’ll undergo some checks. Afterward, you’ll be considered for parole for a maximum of 2 years. 

So, you legally earn a parole status, which is a temporary stay that makes you reside in the US legally and be eligible to apply for work authorization U4U. 

You could get some resident benefits, including access to public facilities, healthcare, education for your children, and financial support – depending on your location and supporter. 

War-Affected Ukrainians Can Get Soft Landing in the US

The United for Ukraine program confers temporary parole on Ukrainian citizens who need to stay in the US during the war. Through the humanitarian project, qualified applicants and their families can get some relief and start life afresh in the United States.

If you need help on how to apply for the Uniting for Ukraine program or have questions, call the USCIS service line at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY: 1-800-767-1833).  

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