Frequently Asked Questions About Uniting for Ukraine

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.

  1. Is Uniting for Ukraine available to Ukrainian citizens who are currently in the United States?
    No. Ukrainian citizens who are present in the United States are not eligible for parole under Uniting for Ukraine. However, Ukrainian citizens who have continuously resided in the United States since April 11, 2022, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since April 19, 2022, may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). For more information about TPS, visit our Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine page. Individuals who are physically present in the United States also may be eligible to apply for asylum. USCIS considers each request for asylum on a case-by-case basis according to the circumstances of the applicant. Visit uscis.gov/asylum for more information.
  2. What is the length of parole for Ukrainians entering the United States at a port of entry after traveling under Uniting for Ukraine?
    Generally, Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members granted travel authorization under Uniting for Ukraine will be paroled into the United States for up to two years.
  3. If a Ukrainian citizen’s request for travel authorization under Uniting for Ukraine is denied overseas, will this count against them if they later come to the United States and apply for asylum?
    USCIS considers request for asylum on a case-by-case basis according to the particular circumstances of the applicant. The Uniting for Ukraine process involves different eligibility criteria than asylum and does not, on its own, impact an individual’s eligibility for asylum. It is possible, however, that we may consider the reasons a travel authorization was denied under Uniting for Ukraine as part of our assessment of whether someone is eligible for asylum. Visit uscis.gov/asylum for more information.

Ukrainian nationals who present themselves for inspection at a land port of entry along the Southwest border without a valid visa or without preauthorization to travel to the United States through Uniting for Ukraine may be denied entry.

  1. Please explain what ‘legal guardian’ means.
    A legal guardian is an individual who:

If the document is provided in a foreign language, an accompanying certified translation into English is required.

A family member or other person who has written authorization from a parent to travel with a minor child is not a legal guardian for Uniting for Ukraine purposes.

  1. Can you provide more information about the fees associated with Uniting for Ukraine?
    There is no fee for a supporter to file Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, and no fee for the beneficiary to request travel authorization. However, the beneficiary must pay for any required pretravel vaccinations. Additionally, if the beneficiary’s travel authorization request is approved, the beneficiary will need to arrange and fund their own travel to the United States and pay any applicable fees for any required medical screenings and vaccinations after arrival in the United States.
Questions Relating to Supporters
  1. Do supporters have to be U.S. citizens?
    No. Supporters must hold lawful status in the United States or be a parolee or recipient of deferred action or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as of the date they file Form I-134A. Individuals who may serve as supporters include:

Note: Individuals who have a pending application or request, such as a pending asylum application or pending initial TPS application, but who do not otherwise hold a lawful status in the United States or have not been granted parole, deferred action, or DED, are not eligible to be supporters.

  1. Can a nongovernmental organization (NGO) file a Form I-134A as a supporter?
    An NGO may not serve as the named supporter on a Form I-134A. However, if an organization or other entity is providing financial or other services to the beneficiary for the purpose of facilitating support, the supporter should provide this information as part of the evidence they submit with Form I-134A. We will consider this information when determining the supporter’s ability to support the named beneficiary.
  2. Does USCIS conduct background vetting on supporters?
    Yes. In addition to determining a potential supporter’s financial ability to support their beneficiary during the duration of the parole period, we also conduct security and background vetting on supporters, including for serious public safety or national security concerns or red flags for exploitation or human trafficking risks.
  3. Does the supporter have to state that they will provide general support, or do they have to provide specific information about their support and contributions?
    When they file Form I-134A, supporters must provide evidence that they have sufficient income or immediate access to sufficient financial resources to support the beneficiary listed on Form I-134A for the duration of the beneficiary’s anticipated period of parole.

Supporters may provide evidence including, but not limited to:

Multiple supporters may join together to support a beneficiary. In this case, a supporter should file Form I-134A and include the following documents:

The Form I-134A requires a named individual to sign the form; organizations may not serve as the named supporter on a Form I-134A. However, if an organization or other entity is providing financial or other services to the beneficiary for the purpose of facilitating support, a supporter should provide this information as part of the evidence submitted with their Form I-134A, and we will consider it when determining the supporter’s ability to support the named beneficiary.

  1. Does USCIS consider the beneficiary’s income and financial resources in determining whether their Form I-134A is sufficient?
    No. When we are determining whether a Form I-134A is sufficient, we do not consider information about the beneficiary’s income or financial resources.
  2. Is a bank officer’s statement required, or are monthly bank statements sufficient?
    Every supporter’s circumstances are different. We review information provided by the supporter on Form I-134A about all assets and financial resources to demonstrate their ability to support the beneficiary.
  3. How much money should a supporter have to ensure they are able to financially support a beneficiary?
    Every potential supporter’s circumstances are different. We review financial information provided by the supporter on Form I-134A about all assets and resources. We use the Federal Poverty Guidelines, as outlined by the Department of Health and Human Services, as a general guide in determining the supporter’s ability to support the beneficiary for the duration of the beneficiary’s anticipated period of parole. When we use the Federal poverty guidelines, we consider a supporter’s household size to include the beneficiary listed on the supporter’s Form I-134A, even if they do not intend to live with the supporter.
  4. What types of support should supporters expect to provide to a beneficiary they agree to support?
    Supporters agree to provide financial support and other resources to the beneficiary for the duration of the parole period. Before committing to be a supporter, supporters should keep the following types of support in mind when deciding whether to support a beneficiary. Support for beneficiaries includes:
  1. Is there any mandatory training or orientation required for supporters to make sure they are aware that they are agreeing to support the beneficiary listed on Form I-134A for the duration of the beneficiary’s stay in the United States?
    No. There is no mandatory training required by the government. However, the Department of State has collaborated with Welcome.us to ensure that both newcomers and receiving communities have helpful information to support beneficiaries after they are paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine.
  2. Will there be a way to match supporters who do not personally know a Ukrainian with displaced Ukrainians who do not personally have someone to support them?
    No. The U.S. government will not match potential supporters with beneficiaries. The Department of State has collaborated with Welcome.us to provide information to potential beneficiaries and supporters about Uniting for Ukraine. Please check Welcome.us for updates on their efforts to support Uniting for Ukraine.
Questions Relating to Beneficiaries
  1. 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?
    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 the Form I-134A filed on their behalf is sufficient, and if they meet other requirements. Being paroled into the United States does not automatically terminate the validity of a U.S. nonimmigrant visitor visa.
  2. Are Ukrainian children seeking to come to the United States without their parent or legal guardian eligible for Uniting for Ukraine?
    No. Children under age 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 are coming to the United States to meet a parent or legal guardian may instead seek parole through the standard Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, parole process. Some parents or legal guardians may be able to leave the United States and reenter with their child. (See question 4.)
  3. If I am residing outside of the United States, do I have to be in the same country as my child to participate in Uniting for Ukraine?
    No. Parents and children do not need to be in the same country to participate in this process. However, children under the age of 18 must be traveling to a U.S. port of entry in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian with the consent of all parents or legal guardians.
  4. Can a parent or legal guardian currently residing in the United States travel out of the United States to accompany their Ukrainian child under age 18 to the United States through Uniting for Ukraine?
    A child’s parents or legal guardians may be eligible to leave the United States to accompany their child under age 18 to the United States if the child is otherwise eligible for parole under Uniting for Ukraine and the parent or legal guardian:

For a child under age 18 to be considered for parole under this process, a supporter must file Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, for the child who seeks to reunite with their parent or legal guardian in the United States. The parent or legal guardian may serve as a supporter and file Form I-134A on behalf of their child if they meet the eligibility requirements. However, the U.S.-based supporter does not need to be related to the beneficiary they have filed Form I-134A for.

After USCIS has confirmed the Form I-134A, the supporter should follow these steps:

In addition, the supporter should upload the following supporting documentation in their online account:

  1. Can prospective adoptive parents use the standard parole process to seek travel authorization for a Ukrainian child whose adoption is not yet complete?
    Prospective adoptive parents may not use this process to circumvent any adoption processes. For information about adoption from Ukraine, visit the Department of State’s Ukraine Adoption Information Page.
  2. Will beneficiaries who have been paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine be able to obtain an advance parole document?
    Yes. If 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, they should file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. For more information about advance parole documents, including about 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.

  1. Are beneficiaries vetted before obtaining travel documentation?
    All Uniting for Ukraine beneficiaries are subject to biographic and biometric security checks conducted by CBP before they are granted travel authorization or paroled into the United States.
Online Filing of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support
  1. How long will it take between the time a supporter submits Form I-134A and when a beneficiary is granted travel authorization underUniting for Ukraine?
    USCIS’ goal is to review and provide responses to the supporter’s Form I-134A as efficiently as possible. Once the Form I-134A review is complete and the Form I-134A is confirmed, USCIS will contact and invite the beneficiary to set up a USCIS online account to verify their biographic information, attest to their vaccination status and, if applicable, attest to the relationships between family members traveling together. This will also allow USCIS and CBP to communicate with the beneficiary through their account. Once the beneficiary has verified their information, USCIS will submit the beneficiary’s biographic information to CBP for review and processing for travel authorization. CBP will then send the travel authorization determination back to USCIS to be posted to the beneficiary’s USCIS account. It is up to the beneficiary to make appropriate travel arrangements and decide the timing of their departure for the United States. The CBP travel authorization remains valid for 90 days.
  2. Can a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, be filed online with Form I-134A or will this be an anticipated add on to the process?
    No. There is no option at this time to submit a Form G-28 with the online filing of a Form I-134A or for an attorney or legal representative to use an online representative account to file a Form I-13A on behalf of a supporter or submit travel authorization information on behalf of a beneficiary after confirmation of the Form I-134A.

The Uniting for Ukraine process is a newly developed electronic process. Our priority focus is ensuring that U.S.-based supporters and beneficiaries can access and use the USCIS online account.

  1. Supporters have not been able to select ‘self’ in the dropdown menu. Is there a glitch in the system?
    The “self” option has been disabled for the online filing of Form I-134A, as there is no option for an individual to represent that they are financially capable of supporting themselves or to submit a Form I-134A as a supporter on their own behalf for the purposes of Uniting for Ukraine. While beneficiaries for benefits other than Uniting for Ukraine may file a Form I-134A on their own behalf, this is not available under Uniting for Ukraine, which requires a U.S.-based individual (not the beneficiary) to act as a supporter and file the Form I-134A on behalf of a beneficiary.
Travel Authorization Questions
  1. 1. My travel authorization will expire soon, and I have been unable to arrange travel to the United States. Can I request an extension?
    CBP approves travel authorization for beneficiaries of Uniting for Ukraine. The travel authorization is valid for 90 days. However, if a beneficiary is unable to travel within the 90-day time frame, they will need to receive an extension of their travel authorization.

If, for reasons beyond their control, a beneficiary cannot travel within the 90-day time frame, the supporter may submit a one-time request for a travel authorization extension that will give their beneficiary an additional 90 days to arrange travel to the United States. Only supporters who have filed Form I-134A on behalf of a Ukrainian may request an extension of a previously approved travel authorization. Beneficiaries may not request an extension of their travel authorization.

Supporters must submit the extension request no more than 30 days before the original approved travel authorization period expires and no more than 30 days after the original approved travel authorization period expires. Supporters must request a separate extension for each beneficiary by submitting a secure message to USCIS through their online account.

To submit the request:

USCIS will review the supporter’s request for a travel authorization extension and submit it, along with the named beneficiary’s information, to CBP to conduct additional vetting. If CBP approves your request, your beneficiary will receive an email notification when the extended travel authorization notice has been posted to their account. Please note that for privacy reasons, only the beneficiary will be able to view their extended travel authorization notice in their online account. The beneficiary should notify you when they receive their extended travel authorization notice.

If the beneficiary's original approved travel authorization expired more than 30 days before the submission of the extension request, or if the beneficiary cannot travel to the United States during the one-time 90-day extension, the supporter must submit a new Form I-134A on their behalf to obtain a new travel authorization.

  1. Does a child under the age of 18 traveling with a parent need a travel authorization notice?
    Yes. Every individual must have a Form I-134A filed on their behalf and every individual must have their own travel authorization to travel. This includes children. Once the Form I-134A is confirmed for an individual, each beneficiary, regardless of age, is assigned an A-Number and receives an online access code.
  2. Is it possible to appeal a denied travel authorization notice?
    No. At this time, there is no administrative appeal process for the Uniting for Ukraine process. If a supporter believes they were mistakenly non-confirmed by USCIS or that CBP mistakenly denied their beneficiary’s travel authorization, they should refile Form I-134A and submit additional information.
Medical Screening and Vaccinations
  1. Do beneficiaries need to submit vaccination records and other medical documentation to USCIS once they arrive in the United States?
    Beneficiaries must complete the required vaccination attestations but will not need to upload documentation.
  2. Do they have to use USCIS-designated civil surgeons, or can they use any doctor?
    Beneficiaries may receive the required vaccinations from any licensed physician or public health department. The medical screening for tuberculosis, including an Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) test, may be conducted by a qualified laboratory or state public health department.

The International Organization for Migration’s UA Health Access webpage has information about access to immunizations and vaccines in Europe.

  1. Will beneficiaries under Uniting for Ukraine need to receive a full immigration medical examination as a condition of parole?
    No. When they are paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine, beneficiaries will need to attest that they received a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an IGRA test, within 90 days of arrival. This attestation is a condition of parole, and the beneficiary must complete it in their USCIS online account. Beneficiaries are responsible for arranging their own vaccinations and medical screening for tuberculosis, including an IGRA blood test. Beneficiaries must also complete the tuberculosis screening attestation for their minor children within 90 days of arrival to the United States, even if the child is under two years old and qualifies for an exception to the tuberculosis test screening.
  2. How can a beneficiary under Uniting for Ukraine obtain their vaccination record if those records were destroyed or currently unobtainable due to ongoing military actions?
    We cannot advise beneficiaries how they may obtain their vaccination records. Individuals seeking parole under Uniting for Ukraine will need to confirm prior vaccination against measles, polio, and COVID-19. Individuals provide this confirmation by attesting that they have completed vaccine requirements or are eligible for an exception to vaccine requirements for measles, polio, and the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized by the FDA or a WHO Emergency Use Listed COVID-19 vaccine.

Upon arrival to the United States, the beneficiary will need to attest that they received a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an IGRA test, within 90 days. Find more information on vaccine requirements on the preview of the vaccine attestation page.

Passport Questions
  1. When a child is listed on their parent's passport, how exactly should that information be entered into the Form I-134A filed on behalf of the child under Uniting for Ukraine?
    Supporters should provide the relevant information from the parent’s passport (passport number, expiration date, country of issuance) on Form I-134A; there is no need to specifically note that the child is listed on their parent’s passport.
Employment Authorization

1. Are parolees under Uniting for Ukraine allowed to work before USCIS approves their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization?

Yes. Individuals paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine are employment authorized incident to parole. This means that if you are paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine, we do not need to approve your application for employment authorization before you can work in the United States.

Your unexpired Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, is an acceptable List A receipt that shows your identity and employment authorization for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, if your unexpired class of admission contains:

Within 90 days of hire (or in the case of reverification, the date employment authorization expires), you must provide your employer either:

Individuals who received their Form I-94 when they entered the United States should visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Form I-94 website to view and print a copy of their Form I-94.

For more information, please see Employee Rights and Resources.

2. Can parolees under Uniting for Ukraine still apply for an EAD?
Yes. Effective Nov. 21, 2022, USCIS is exempting the Form I-765 filing fee for initial EADs for individuals paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine who file by mail. Effective Dec. 5, 2022, this fee exemption will also be available for online filings of Form I-765. To apply for an EAD, submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, using the (c)(11) category code

To obtain the fee exemption when filing Form I-765 online to request an EAD:

To obtain the fee exemption when mailing a paper Form I-765 to USCIS to request an initial EAD:

Note: For the fee exemption to apply, applications must be postmarked on or after Nov. 21, 2022, or submitted online on or after Dec. 5, 2022.

3. After a parolee files Form I-765, how long will it take to receive their EAD?
Generally, we process applications for employment authorization in the order we receive them. For more information on Form I-765 processing times, visit our Check Case Processing Times page.

Contacting USCIS About Form I-134A
  1. If a beneficiary of Uniting for Ukraine needs to submit an inquiry on their case or has a general question about their account, how can they contact USCIS? The best way to contact us depends on the type of inquiry. Technical Assistance with Online Account Access or a Password Reset
    If you have an issue with account access or need a password reset, use our online need help form. Case Status Inquiries
    You can monitor the status of your Form I-134A in your USCIS online account or check your most recent status in Case Status Online. Please note that the USCIS Contact Center cannot provide any additional information on the status of your case. USCIS will only accept a case status inquiry if the Form I-134A filed on your behalf has been pending more than six months. This includes inquiries submitted through the secure mailbox in your USCIS online account. Please note this is a default timeframe for inquiring and you should not necessarily expect a decision on your Form I-134A in that timeframe.
  2. If a supporter entered an incorrect email address for the beneficiary on Form I-134A, what is the fastest way to submit the correction and get USCIS to resend the Account Access email to the beneficiary?
    The supporter should log in to their USCIS online account, go to the Notices tab, and use the Unsolicited Evidence feature to upload a letter they have signed by hand (not electronically). The letter should:

Note: The supporter’s letter should list both the original, incorrect email address provided on the Form I-134A and the updated, correct email address for the beneficiary. The supporter also must keep the original signed letter in case we ask for it later.

The supporter should then send a secure message from their USCIS online account:

  1. Log in to your online account, select the MyAccount dropdown, then select Inbox;
  2. Select “New message,” then “A case already filed online”;
  3. Select your receipt number for Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support from the drop-down menu; and
  4. State in your message that the beneficiary’s email address needs to be changed and that you have uploaded unsolicited evidence. Your message should include both the original, incorrect email address and the updated, correct email address for the beneficiary.

We will review the request, make appropriate updates, and issue the beneficiary a copy of the USCIS Account Notice using the updated, correct email address. We will also notify the supporter by email that the issue has been resolved.

You will receive a response in your inbox. Do not submit your attestations to CBP until we respond to the request to update your passport information. Submitting the attestations before you receive a response from USCIS could affect the travel authorization and request for parole.

Note: Your letter should list both the original, incorrect email address provided on the Form I-134A and the updated, correct email address for the beneficiary. You must also keep the original signed letter in case we ask for it later.

If a beneficiary still cannot find the notices, they should call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. The number for those outside the United States is 212-620-3418.

  1. Are parolees who came to the U.S. through Uniting for Ukraine eligible for REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards?

Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members paroled into the U.S. through Uniting for Ukraine are not eligible for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card because parole is not included in the REAL ID Act (PDF) as a category authorized to receive a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card. This does not apply to Afghan parolees who fall within the scope of section 2502(b)(3) of the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act. However, parolees with another eligible category covered under the REAL ID Act, such as an approved or pending application for Temporary Protected Status or asylum, can potentially qualify for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card. In addition, many driver license issuing authorities allow parolees to apply for a driver’s license or ID card that is not REAL ID-compliant. For more information, please see REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions and guidance from the Department of Motor Vehicles for the jurisdiction where you live.