Please note that from April 25, Ukrainian citizens staying at land crossings across the United States without a valid visa or without prior permission to travel to the United States with the Uniting for Ukraine program will be denied entry and directed to applying through this program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.