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While we do our best to maintain up-to-date information, please note that rules and regulations can change at any time and may be different for each individual case.
Please refer potential beneficiaries to the additional resources for updates and more detailed information (many available in Ukrainian/Russian)
https://www.dhs.gov/ukraineClick on any question to see detailed answers.
The name of the program created by the United States government to streamline the humanitarian parole process for displaced Ukrainian citizens.
Term used for the process of allowing people in urgent need to arrive in the USA without a visa, but with special parole status instead. Individuals accepted into Uniting for Ukraine are given humanitarian parole status. More on: Humanitarian parole
Ukrainian citizen who applies for the Uniting for Ukraine program.
A USA-based person (or people) or non-profit who formally agrees to receive and support Ukrainian beneficiaries. Note: They may also be referred to as "supporters" on some websites.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency in the USA that handles immigration, including the Uniting for Ukraine program.
This is the form used to apply to the Uniting for Ukraine program through USCIS. It must be submitted by the sponsor.
An optional program that matches displaced Ukrainians with potential American sponsors. It is hosted by an organization called Welcome.US.
Ukrainian citizens can apply for Temporary Protected Status if they are, and have been, in the United States since early 2022. For more details and up-to-date information on this program visit the Department of Homeland Security website on TPS.
On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine: a new streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression, opportunities to come to the USA. This represents a key step toward fulfilling the President’s commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Uniting for Ukraine builds on the robust humanitarian assistance the U.S. government is providing as we complement the generosity of countries throughout Europe that are hosting millions of Ukrainian citizens and others who have been displaced.
Source: https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine
No, it's not.
Uniting for Ukraine is the U.S. government program we refer to on this website.
United for Ukraine is an international NGO providing emergency relief and essential information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. They do not provide access to visas or humanitarian parole into the USA.
Beneficiaries can apply for work authorization with USCIS and can work immediately upon approval of the permit. For more information on employment in the USA visit: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Beneficiaries granted humanitarian parole under this process will generally be allowed to live and work under this status for a two year period. We advise speaking with an immigration attorney about what options are available to each individual after this time.
President Biden committed to providing refuge to 100,000 displaced Ukrainians and others fleeing Russian aggression in the USA. This figure is not a cap. The design of Uniting for Ukraine relies on the generosity of supporters in the USA who primarily will drive demand for this pathway and determine whether we meet or exceed this goal. The U.S. Government will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine, the situation for Ukrainians in other host countries, and how Ukrainians access a variety of pathways to the USA.
Answer given directly from Department of Homeland Security
We encourage potential applicants to check the Department of Homeland Security website for updates: https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine
The Jobs Sponsorship Pathway is a new pathway and continuation of the program is contingent on successful matches between employers and candidates. We expect the program to be ongoing.
Resettlement agencies will provide support to new arrival(s) in the following ways:
Alongside Alight Guides, the resettlement agency will work to ensure that the Ukrainian family has the critical support they need as they settle into their new community.
Beneficiaries granted humanitarian parole under this process will generally be allowed to live and work under this status for a two year period. We advise speaking with an immigration attorney about what options are available to each individual after this time.
Ukrainians will need to have an international passport that is not expired (only Ukraine passport—not any other nationality). Biometric passports are recommended.
The current cities/areas in the USA that are participating are:
Due to the high volume of interest and limited job opportunity placements, we cannot accept all applicants for this program. Our Alight Guides will work with our employer partners to ensure the most qualified candidates are matched with employers. If you do not receive a response from one of our Alight Guides, that indicates you have not proceeded to the next round. If you do not receive an employer match you will not be qualified for Alight sponsorship.
Alight is working with an employment non-profit that helps facilitate matches between candidates and potential employers. A decision on whether to hire someone is made independently by the employer, not by candidates. Employers will reach out to candidates they are interested in after reviewing their CV. It is highly recommended that applications are submitted in English and CVs are uploaded on the job matching platform in English.
Childcare can be an expensive part of living in the United States. At a minimum, an individual should estimate 10% of their budget will need to go towards childcare. This is geographically dependent and some people pay much more than 10% for childcare. We recommend candidates with children the age of 5 or above apply. Free public schools begin at the age of 5 and last until a child graduates from high-school (around the age of 18).
We encourage anyone who can conduct a job interview in English without the need for a translator to do so because this makes you a more attractive candidate to employers.
In the USA, the average age for retirement from working is 65 years and sometimes beyond that age as well. Older adults may apply, and their acceptance will be dependent on skill and English language abilities in your CV.
Candidates who will be most successful would have moderate to fluent level of English language. There are some positions available for people who speak zero to beginner level English, but those positions are very few.
Candidates will not be allowed to bring pets with them under the Alight Jobs Sponsorship Program.
This program is meant for people who are outside of the USA. If you are already in the USA and already have a sponsor you don’t qualify for the jobs sponsorship program.
Alight is currently only matching Ukrainians who do not have a sponsor with employers through this program.
Beneficiaries are eligible for the program if they:
Note: To be eligible for this process, children under the age of 18 must be traveling to the USA in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian.
Answer from: https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine
Ukrainian citizens already in the USA will not be eligible for the Uniting for Ukraine program. However, if they are already present in the country, they may be eligible for TPS (Temporary Protected Status).
Minors traveling to the USA without a parent or legal guardian will not be eligible for the program.
Immediate family members in this process include:
Answer from: https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine
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.
Since they are ineligible to pursue Uniting for Ukraine, children who are not traveling with a parent or legal guardian but are coming to the USA to meet a parent or legal guardian may instead seek parole through the standard Form I-131 parole process.
USCIS is only accepting online filing of Form I-134 by individuals agreeing to financially support Ukrainians and their immediate family members as part of Uniting for Ukraine.
Eligible candidates include any American citizen or legal permanent resident (Green Card holder), including non-governmental organizations.
Aliens in the USA under the following legal statuses may also be Uniting for Ukraine sponsors:
Sponsors (with any legal status) must declare their financial support to the Ukrainian during their stay in the USA and undergo all necessary checks.
Yes, they must be located in the USA to file Form I-134 online. Ukrainians seeking parole under Uniting for Ukraine may not file Form I-134 on their own behalf.
Yes. Sponsors/supporters must file a separate Form I-134 for each beneficiary they are planning to support, including minor children. To be eligible for this process, children under the age of 18 must be traveling to the USA in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian and be able to provide documentation to confirm the relationship.
The Department of Homeland Security anticipates that the process should be fairly quick, but they are not able to definitely say how long the process will take.
Alight is sponsoring you through an I-134 (which is different than those visa documents). You will be granted humanitarian parole.
If USCIS declares the application insufficient, the Ukrainian beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS notifying them that the form filed on their behalf was not approved. This means the beneficiary was not granted parole for Uniting for Ukraine, however it does not mean they can't try again.
The sponsor may file a new Form I-134 once again (with additional proof of financial capability) or the Ukrainian beneficiary can find a new sponsor to reapply for them.
No, these are two different approaches to obtain humanitarian parole in the USA. The Application for Travel Document is not specific for Ukrainian citizens. Uniting for Ukraine was created as a way to expedite the process for this extenuating circumstance.
If Form I-134 is not approved, they can apply again. Beneficiaries can choose to reapply with the same sponsors (resubmitting Form I-134 and possibly adding more sponsors to show greater financial support) or they can find a new sponsor to reapply.
We cannot guarantee people who apply for this pathway will be matched with an employer. How long this process takes will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Only for special circumstances and with permission.
Immediate family members only (unmarried children under 21 and spouses).
As part of the process, individuals will submit biographic and biometric information to the U.S. Government for the purposes of security vetting. Individuals will be checked against a range of inter-agency intelligence, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism holdings. Anyone who does not pass security checks conducted overseas will not be authorized to travel to the USA.
Upon their arrival at a port of entry, each individual will be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and 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).
If beneficiaries need to leave the USA after they have arrived, they will need to apply for a special travel document called advance parole. They will need to demonstrate an urgent need to travel in order to be granted this approval. If they leave the country without this approval they may not be permitted to return. To apply Form I-131 must be used.
Individuals who seek authorization to travel to the USA 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 authorization to travel to the USA. It is enough to have an international certificate for at least one dose received.
In some cases, if the certificates for polio or measles have been lost it may be possible to get duplicates from local clinics in Ukraine since all Ukrainian born children have received these vaccines before.
In addition, all individuals two years of age or older will need to complete a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) test, within 90 days of arrival to the USA.
Ukrainian citizens will need to meet other travel requirements as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including pre-departure testing for COVID-19.
Answer given directly from Department of Homeland Security
Preview Uniting for Ukraine Vaccine requirements that will be in the USCIS account here.
Beneficiaries granted humanitarian parole under this process will generally be allowed to live and work under this status for a two year period. We advise speaking with an immigration attorney about what options are available to each individual after this time.
Alight will pay for the flights for each member of the family.
Not all jobs require English fluency but most will require some. Resettlement agencies or Alight Guides can help enroll you and family in ELL classes.
Public transit is available in some places, as well as options for ride sharing, and carpooling. Alight Guides will support with information when and where possible.
There are large Ukrainian communities in many places in the USA. Alight Guides and resettlement agencies will support with information when and where possible.
You will be eligible to enroll in Medicaid (a government program that helps reduce the cost of health insurance). Resettlement agencies will help you with this process.
In the USA, public education is free for children 5 yrs old until the age of 18. Resettlement agencies will help with enrollment in school for 5-18 yr olds. Also English classes will be made available for adults through resettlement agencies.
You may quit a job at any time. However, it will impact a few things: the support Alight and resettlement partners can offer becomes extremely limited, and you will be responsible for finding new employment.
Resettlement agencies will secure safe, affordable housing. You will begin paying for housing with your first paycheck.
If you stay in the job you originally matched with for 6 months your employer will give a large donation back to the Jobs Pathway Sponsorship program so more Ukrainians can come to the USA.
The cost of living will differ based on where you live. Resettlement agencies will help you sign up for temporary benefits that you qualify for that should help reduce the total cost of living. This is done on a state-by-state basis. Once you’re matched with an employer in a certain city, you are encouraged to do research on living expenses. You will be connected with an Alight Guide that will help you navigate this process.
Alight Guides and our resettlement partners will help you set up a bank account so your employer can deposit pay checks into it.
Click on any question to see detailed answers.
