Question 1

What is Uniting for Ukraine?

Accepted Answer

Uniting for Ukraine is a streamlined process that allows Ukrainian citizens displaced by Russia’s aggression to apply for humanitarian parole in the United States.

Under Uniting for Ukraine, the U.S. government allows people fleeing the war in Ukraine to seek refuge in the United States, temporarily known as humanitarian parole, with the support of a sponsor in the United States. The sponsor will provide financial support to meet the basic needs of someone fleeing Ukraine. They may also provide additional support, such as enrolling in educational or training programs or securing employment.

Question 2

Who is eligible for sponsorship?

Accepted Answer

To be eligible for sponsorship, Ukrainians must have been residents of Ukraine as of February 11, 2022. Those who are not Ukrainian citizens but are immediate family members of Ukrainian citizens, such as spouses and children, are also eligible for sponsorship.

To be approved for sponsorship, Ukrainians must attest that they have met program requirements, such as vaccinations, and pass Department of Homeland Security screening. security checks.

To find a sponsor in the U.S., please fill out our Form, and we will connect with you, if Sponsor is interested in your application (Form Link:  https://www.sponsorshub.uahouse.org/forms/form-for-sponsors).
For more information about Uniting for Ukraine, visit USCIS.gov and DHS.gov.

Question 3

Who can be a sponsor?

Accepted Answer

Sponsors may be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other lawfully present individuals. This includes Ukrainian Americans, immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), recently arrived refugees, and other everyday Americans, like you! Nonprofits, educational institutions, and employers can help sponsor refugees fleeing Ukraine.

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, fill out our Form to find a Ukrainian family looking for an American sponsor. (Form Link: https://www.sponsorshub.uahouse.org/forms/form-for-sponsors)

For more information about Uniting for Ukraine, visit USCIS.gov and DHS.gov.

Question 4

Do I need to be a family member to serve as a sponsor?

Accepted Answer

No. Uniting for Ukraine allows anyone to serve as a named sponsor, including extended family, employers, friends, or others interested in welcoming Ukrainians seeking refuge. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, fill out our Form to find a Ukrainian family looking for an American sponsor. (Form Link: https://www.sponsorshub.uahouse.org/forms/form-for-sponsors)
For more information about Uniting for Ukraine, visit USCIS.gov and DHS.gov.

Question 5

Can I sponsor a Ukrainian with a group of people?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While not required, your sponsorship experience can be strengthened by working with a group — friends, family, work colleagues, congregation members, or other networks.
There are many reasons to sponsor as part of a group — it makes the work easier, can be deeply rewarding, and helps the arriving family to meet more people in the community. With a group effort, you can share the joy and responsibilities of helping newcomers thrive in their new communities.

This guide shows how sponsor groups are typically structured. Uniting For Ukraine (U4U) Humanitarian Parole Application Guide from Welcome.US has all the details on how to submit an application as a group.

Question 6

What are a sponsor’s responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

Sponsors create support systems that ensure newcomers can thrive. Sponsors are neighbors, cheerleaders, and guides for people starting a long, difficult, and exciting journey.

More specifically, sponsors are responsible for finding suitable housing for newcomers. They support newcomers in ensuring health needs are met, kids are enrolled in school, and adults find work, among other factors.

Sponsorship is a deep commitment but a transformative one for both you and those you welcome. You are changing lives and strengthening your community and country. You don’t have to do it alone. Sponsorship can be most successful and most joyful when it is done in a community of friends, family, and colleagues.

Question 7

Do I need to host a Uniting for Ukraine beneficiary in my home?

Accepted Answer

There are no requirements to host a Ukrainian beneficiary in your home. However, housing can be a challenge in communities across the U.S., which may be a temporary option deployed. Sponsors are encouraged to remember that many Ukrainians have not had a place to call home for months and may be eager for independence. Each beneficiary will have different perspectives, so it’s important to determine housing arrangements together before arrival.

Question 8

What are a sponsor’s financial obligations?

Accepted Answer

There is no fee for filing the paperwork to support a Ukrainian, and the I-134 is not legally binding. However, sponsorship carries with it some basic financial responsibilities. As part of the application process, you will sign a Declaration of Financial Support form, in which you assure the U.S. government that, if needed, you will financially support the Ukrainians you seek to sponsor for the duration of their parole. While the Declaration of Financial Support is not legally binding in most cases, it’s important to recognize that beneficiaries will likely need your help, including financially, as they work to rebuild their lives.

Question 9

What are the steps to becoming a sponsor?

Accepted Answer

Our in-depth U4U Humanitarian Parole Application Guide will help you navigate the sponsorship process from start to finish or approval. The high-level steps are

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. Sponsors can be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other lawfully present individuals, such as those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and refugees. Non-profits, educational institutions, and employers can also help to sponsor people fleeing Ukraine.

Step 2: Match with a Ukrainian in need. If you aren’t connected to a Ukrainian in need of support, fill out the form https://www.sponsorshub.uahouse.org/forms/form-for-sponsors. Alternatively, national and local partner organizations can help match you with someone who meets the requirements of a beneficiary (ex. Welcome.Connect).

Step 3: Fill out the Humanitarian Parole Application. Collect the necessary information and documentation for yourself and your beneficiary, and fill out your online sponsorship application on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) web site.

Step 4: Await approval. The U.S. government is solely responsible for approving sponsor applications. While you wait, you can track your application, and both you and the beneficiary may need to respond to any requests for further information.

You can also find more information and the application on the USCIS’ web site.

Question 10

How can I be matched with a Ukrainian to sponsor?

Accepted Answer

If you aren’t connected to a Ukrainian in need of support, we can help you out. You can fill out our form (https://www.sponsorshub.uahouse.org/forms/form-for-sponsors), and then receive a list of Ukrainian families that turned to our organization to find a sponsor, or you can register on the Welcome Connect platform. On Welcome Connect, potential sponsors complete online training modules, create a profile and message directly with Ukrainians seeking refuge.

Alternatively, national and local partner organizations can help match you with someone entering the United States who meets the beneficiary requirements.

Question 11

What materials do I need to collect to fill out the I-134 form?

Accepted Answer

The USCIS wants to understand who is and whether you can support your U4U beneficiary during their time in the U.S., should that be something that the beneficiary needs.

Below are some of the key documents to prepare. Before starting the U4U humanitarian parole application, we suggest converting each document into a format that is easy to upload, such as a PDF or JPG.

Financial documents:

Statement(s) from your employer on business stationery showing:

Date and nature of employment;

Salary paid; and

Whether the position is temporary or permanent

An employer statement template. You can find a template in the Appendix of this guide.

Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details regarding the account:

Date account opened

Total amount deposited for the past year; and

Present balance

Copy of last U.S. federal income tax return filed (tax transcript); or

List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).Citizenship or immigration status

A U.S. citizen or U.S. national may submit a copy of a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, consular report of birth abroad to U.S. parents or a copy of the biographic data page on your U.S. passport.

Proof of lawful permanent resident status includes a photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident Card, Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551), or a photocopy of an unexpired temporary Form I-551 stamp in either a foreign passport or DHS Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record.

Proof of lawful nonimmigrant status may include a copy of an unexpired visa in a foreign passport.You’ll also need to collect background material from your beneficiary. For more information on all the materials required, please see the U4U Humanitarian Parole Application Guide.

Question 12

How do I fill out the Uniting for Ukraine application?

Accepted Answer

Once prepared with the above information, documents, and proof of eligibility, you are ready to fill out the application or the form I-134 on the USCIS website.

First visit the Uniting for Ukraine page on the USCIS website

From the drop-down menu in the center of the page, expand the ‘Who Can be a Supporter for a Beneficiary Under Uniting for Ukraine’ section

Scroll to the bottom of the section and click the ‘File Online’ button

Create an account (or log in if you’ve already done so)

You will be taken to an introductory page for the application

Read through the two pages of information provided, clicking ‘Next’ and then ‘Start’ to advance through them

Once here, you will have arrived at the starting point of the application

The online workflow to fill out the application is flexible:

You can advance through the full application in order to understand the materials, where to upload evidence, and the format required

You can save your application and come back to it at a later date if necessary

Prior to application submission, you can change the information in the form, such as fix the spelling of the beneficiary’s name

Once you submit an application, you cannot change the information in the form, but you can call USCIS Contact Center

If you need support with filling out the form or walk through the online application form, call the Ukrainian American House Sponsors Hub at (916)201-0101 or email gethelp@uahouse.org.

You must fill out an I-134 form for each U4U beneficiary you sponsor.

For more information, please see the U4U Humanitarian Parole Application Guide.

Question 13

What are the next steps after my application is approved?

Accepted Answer

Sponsors and beneficiaries can expect a written decision about the application.

If the application is deemed sufficient, Ukrainian beneficiaries will also receive an email from USCIS with instructions on how to set up an account on the USCIS website and other next steps.

You and your beneficiary should continue to check your email daily, including spam and junk folders, for important messages from USCIS.

Question 14

How is travel to the U.S. arranged?

Accepted Answer

After confirming their biographic information and vaccine status, beneficiaries will receive a decision about their travel authorization to their USCIS account. If approved, their travel authorization will be valid for 90 days.

An approved U4U travel authorization does not guarantee travel, parole, or processing disposition. The travel authorization enables airline carriers to facilitate the generation of a boarding pass and allows the airlines to board the individual for a flight to the United States. Individuals must comply with existing travel requirements and, where applicable, immigration exit requirements of the country they will depart from.

Sponsors and beneficiaries should work together to coordinate travel arrangements to the United States within this window. Beneficiaries will need to meet CDC travel requirements.

Upon the Beneficiary’s arrival, they will be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry. At that time, they’ll be considered for parole for a period of up to two years. They may have conditions placed on their parole, such as tuberculosis (TB) screening.

Question 15

What documents and benefits might I need to help a beneficiary apply for?

Accepted Answer

Sponsors will help beneficiaries apply for critical documents for life in the U.S., including Social Security cards, their State IDs, and their first U.S. Drivers’ License. You’ll also help them open up a new bank account and assist them in applying for Employment Authorization - all critical steps to establishing a stable foothold in their new home.

Newcomers may also need help applying for the many public benefits and services available, including healthcare, employment and educational opportunities, and career training.

We can provide you the assistance with getting those steps done. Call the Ukrainian American House Sponsors Hub at (916)201-0101 or email gethelp@uahouse.org.

Question 16

What types of government assistance might Ukrainians on humanitarian parole be eligible for?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for government programs depends on various factors, including income level and household composition. As a result, eligibility for public benefits is often determined through an application process, which sponsors can help newcomers navigate.

Benefits and programs available to help you in your sponsorship journey include:

Health Insurance: Medicaid, Health insurance plans operating under the Affordable Care Act, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Refugee Medical Assistance, employer-based health insurance programs, and Emergency Medicaid, which provides healthcare coverage in the event of a life-threatening event

Healthcare: Low-cost healthcare services at community healthcare centers and school-based clinics, Vaccinations and other health screenings at local public health departments (including for required screening like for tuberculosis), and doctor’s offices that accept the beneficiaries health insurance plan

Cash assistance: Refugee Cash Assistance and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Childcare: childcare financial assistance programs, Early Head Start and Head Start, summer and after school programs for youth, and youth programs run by nonprofits

Youth education: public school enrollment and associated services, such as free and reduced lunch and parent engagement programs, local Refugee School Impact programs, and public library programs

Nutrition and Food Assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Women, Infants and Children (WIC, for age under 5) services and benefits, and local food banks

Workforce and Job Training: workforce and training services at American Job Centers (workforce centers); employment services funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and your state’s State Refugee Coordinator office; Refugee Career Pathway programs, community college training programs, apprenticeships, and job skills training programs at employers. In California, you can connect with SETA (Sacramento Employment and Training Agency)https://www.seta.net/;

Adult education: English classes, including those funded through state adult education programs and State Refugee Coordinator offices, community college and institution of higher education classes, and trainings for in-demand occupations, such as Commercial Drivers Licenses for jobs in the trucking industry

Each family or individual may have different needs and different eligibility for federal and state programs, and programs will vary by state. That’s another reason to connect with local service organizations that can help guide sponsors through the local ecosystem.

Question 17

How can I contact USCIS directly?

Accepted Answer

The best way to contact USCIS is through their website.

If you prefer to speak to someone directly and are within the United States, the toll-free number is 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833), and the hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern. For callers outside of the U.S., please call +1-212-620-3418.

Question 18

What is Uniting for Ukraine?

Accepted Answer

Uniting for Ukraine is a streamlined process that allows Ukrainian citizens displaced by Russia’s aggression to apply for humanitarian parole in the United States.

Under Uniting for Ukraine, the U.S. government allows people fleeing the war in Ukraine to seek refuge in the United States, temporarily known as humanitarian parole, with the support of a sponsor in the United States. The sponsor will provide financial support to meet the basic needs of someone fleeing Ukraine. They may also offer additional support, such as enrolling in educational or training programs or securing employment.

Question 19

Is Uniting for Ukraine limited to only Ukrainian citizens?

Accepted Answer

Uniting for Ukraine is available to eligible Ukrainian citizens and their non-Ukrainian immediate family members with valid passports. Non-Ukrainian immediate family members must travel to the United States with Ukrainian citizens. For purposes of Uniting for Ukraine, immediate family members include:

The spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian citizen; and

The unmarried children under the age of 21 of a Ukrainian citizen.

NOTE: If a child is under 18, they must travel with a parent or legal guardian to seek parole through the Uniting for Ukraine process.

Question 20

Will a beneficiary be eligible for consideration under Uniting for Ukraine if they are Ukrainian and have a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visitor visa but are currently outside the United States for work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A Ukrainian citizen outside the United States who still has a valid, unexpired U.S. visitor visa may still seek parole into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine if we have confirmed that Form I-134A filed on their behalf is sufficient if they meet other requirements. Being paroled into the United States does not automatically terminate the validity of a U.S. nonimmigrant visitor visa.

Question 21

Is Uniting for Ukraine limited to the first 100,000 applications?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no numerical limits on requests for travel authorization or parole under Uniting for Ukraine. The U.S. government is committed to providing Ukrainians displaced due to Russia’s invasion a full range of legal pathways, including parole, immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, in accordance with U.S. laws.

Question 22

What is humanitarian parole?

Accepted Answer

Humanitarian parole allows individuals in urgent need of refuge to enter the United States and temporarily stay in the U.S. While the U.S. government has chosen humanitarian parole as the program for those arriving under Uniting for Ukraine, humanitarian parole is not new. It can be used on a case-by-case basis for other populations.

Humanitarian parole provides:

An efficient path to safety and refuge

Temporary immigration status

Ability to apply for work authorization

Access to certain benefits, such as Health Exchange Marketplace insurance plans

Humanitarian parole does not provide the following:

A pathway to permanency and citizenship

Automatic work authorization

For humanitarian parolees arriving under Uniting Ukraine and Ukrainians who were paroled into the country by the Department of Homeland Security after February 24, 2022, the program also provides the following:

Ability to apply for an expanded list of federal benefits, such as Medicaid or food assistance

Access to services funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, such as case management, employment, and English language classes

For more information about Uniting for Ukraine, visit USCIS.gov and DHS.gov. Or go to the Office of Refugee Resettlement website for more information about services.

Question 23

How is travel to the U.S. arranged?

Accepted Answer

After confirming their biographic information and vaccine status, beneficiaries will receive a decision about their travel authorization to their USCIS account. If approved, their travel authorization will be valid for 90 days.

An approved U4U travel authorization does not guarantee travel, parole, or processing disposition. The travel authorization enables airline carriers to facilitate the generation of a boarding pass and allows the airlines to board the individual for a flight to the United States. Individuals must comply with existing travel requirements and, where applicable, immigration exit requirements of the country they will depart from.

Question 24

Are Ukrainian children seeking to come to the United States without their parent or legal guardian eligible for Uniting for Ukraine?

Accepted Answer

No. Children under the age of 18 who are traveling without their parent or legal guardian are not eligible for Uniting for Ukraine. Children who are not traveling with a parent or legal guardian but coming to the United States to meet a parent or legal guardian may seek parole through the standard Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, process.

Question 25

Will beneficiaries who have been paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine be able to obtain an advance parole document?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Suppose a beneficiary who has been paroled into the United States wants to apply for an advance parole document, which will allow them to seek parole into the United States at a port of entry when they return from a trip outside the United States. In that case, they should file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. For more information about advance parole documents, including fees and fee waivers, visit Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

Please note that having an advance parole document does not guarantee an individual will be paroled into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will make a separate discretionary decision on your request for parole when you arrive at a port of entry.

Question 26

What materials do the beneficiaries need to collect?

Accepted Answer

The USCIS wants to understand who is coming to this country and what resources U4U beneficiaries have that could contribute to their support while in the United States.

Sponsors must work with their U4U beneficiaries to gather the following information.

Identification and contact information

Other names since birth (including aliases, maiden name, etc.)

Phone and email contact information

Current mailing and physical address

Date of birth

City, state, and country of birth

Gender

Marital status

Total number of dependents

Travel information

Country of citizenship or nationality

Country of most recently issued passport

Passport number and expiration date

A-number (not required and only if applicable)

The anticipated period of stay in the U.S. - individuals arriving under Uniting for Ukraine can stay in the U.S. for 24 months.

Financial information

The total value of assets

How much income will the beneficiary’s dependents contribute to the beneficiary annually?

These numbers can be zero, as USCIS will look at the beneficiary and the sponsor's income and assets.

You’ll also be asked to submit information about your financial status. For more information on all the materials required, please see the U4U Humanitarian Parole Application Guide.

Question 27

What does the beneficiary need to do after the application is approved?

Accepted Answer

If the application is sufficient, your U4U beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS with instructions on how to set up an account on the USCIS website and other next steps.

The beneficiary will be asked to confirm their biographic information on the USCIS website. They’ll also be asked to:

Certify that they understand the family relationship requirements for children under 18 under Uniting for Ukraine; and

Confirm they have completed vaccine requirements or are eligible for an exception to vaccine requirements for measles, polio, and the first dose of an FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a WHO-Emergency use listed (EUL) COVID-19 vaccine.

You and your beneficiary should continue checking your myUSCIS account and email, including spam and junk folders, for important messages from USCIS.

Question 28

Can a beneficiary bring their pet?

Accepted Answer

Ukrainian beneficiaries under U4U may be able to bring their animals to the United States. But these animals will be subject to regulation by the USDA APHIS and other federal agencies. Depending on your destination state, your pet may need to meet additional health requirements.

The pet owner’s responsibility is to fully understand these regulations and ensure they can meet requirements before arriving in the U.S. with their animal.

Please visit the USDA website and the CDC website for more information.

Question 29

What types of government assistance might Ukrainians on humanitarian parole be eligible for?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for government programs depends on various factors, including income level and household composition. As a result, eligibility for public benefits is often determined through an application process, which sponsors can help newcomers navigate.

Benefits and programs available to help you in your sponsorship journey include the following:

Health Insurance: Medicaid, Health insurance plans operating under the Affordable Care Act, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Refugee Medical Assistance, employer-based health insurance programs, and Emergency Medicaid, which provides healthcare coverage in the event of a life-threatening event

Healthcare: Low-cost healthcare services at community healthcare centers and school-based clinics, Vaccinations and other health screenings at local public health departments (including for required screening like for tuberculosis), and doctor’s offices that accept the beneficiaries' health insurance plan

Cash assistance: Refugee Cash Assistance and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Childcare: childcare financial assistance programs, Early Head Start and Head Start, summer and after-school programs for youth, and youth programs run by nonprofits

Youth education: public school enrollment and associated services, such as free and reduced lunch and parent engagement programs, local Refugee School Impact programs, and public library programs

Nutrition and Food Assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits Women, Infants, and Children (WIC, for ages under 5) services and benefits, and local food banks

Workforce and Job Training: workforce and training services at American Job Centers (workforce centers); employment services funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and your state’s State Refugee Coordinator office; Refugee Career Pathway programs, community college training programs, apprenticeships, and job skills training programs at employers. In California, you can connect with SETA (Sacramento Employment and Training Agency) at https://www.seta.net/;

Adult education: English classes, including those funded through state adult education programs and State Refugee Coordinator offices, community colleges and institutions of higher education classes, and pieces of training for in-demand occupations, such as Commercial Drivers Licenses for jobs in the trucking industry

Each family or individual may have different needs and different eligibility for federal and state programs, and programs will vary by state. That’s another reason to connect with local service organizations that can help guide sponsors through the local ecosystem.

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