General Questions About Uniting for Ukraine

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-134. Individuals who may serve as supporters include:

• U.S. citizens and nationals;
• Lawful permanent residents, lawful temporary residents, and conditional permanent residents;
• Nonimmigrants in lawful status (that is, individuals who have maintained their nonimmigrant status and have not violated any of the terms or conditions of such status);
• Asylees, refugees, and parolees;
• Temporary Protected Status holders; and
• Recipients of deferred action (including DACA) or DED.

2. Can a nongovernmental organization (NGO) file a Form I-134 as a supporter?
   An NGO may not serve as the named supporter on a Form I-134. 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-134. We will consider this information when determining the supporter’s ability to support the named beneficiary.
3. 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.
4. 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-134, supporters must provide evidence that they have sufficient income or immediate access to sufficient financial resources to support the beneficiary listed on Form I-134 for the duration of the beneficiary’s anticipated period of parole.

Supporters may provide evidence including, but not limited to:

• Statements from the officer of a U.S. bank or other financial institution;
• A letter of employment; and
• Copies of U.S. federal tax returns.

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

• Supplementary evidence demonstrating the identity of, and the resources to be provided by, the additional supporters who will provide support to the beneficiary; and
• A statement explaining the intent of the additional supporters to share financial responsibility to support the beneficiary. We will assess the supporters’ ability to support the beneficiary collectively./li>

The Form I-134 requires a named individual to sign the form; organizations may not serve as the named supporter on a Form I-134. 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-134, and we will consider it when determining the supporter’s ability to support the named beneficiary.

5. Does USCIS consider the beneficiary’s income and financial resources in determining whether their Form I-134 is sufficient?
   No. When we are determining whether a Form I-134 is sufficient, we do not consider information about the beneficiary’s income or financial resources.
6. 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-134 about all assets and financial resources to demonstrate their ability to support the beneficiary.
7. 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-134 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-134, even if they do not intend to live with the supporter.
8. 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:

• Receiving the beneficiary when they arrive in the United States and transporting them to initial housing;
• Ensuring that the beneficiary has safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their parole, as well as initial basic necessities;
• As appropriate, helping the beneficiary complete necessary paperwork such as for employment authorization, a Social Security card, and other services for which they may be eligible;
• Ensuring that the beneficiary’s health care and medical needs are met for the duration of the parole; and
• As appropriate, assisting the beneficiary with accessing education, learning English, securing employment, and enrolling children in school.

9. 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-134 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.
10. 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.

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-134 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 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 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, process.
3. 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 a 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.

4. 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.

1. How long will it take between the time a supporter submits Form I-134 and when a beneficiary is granted travel authorization under Uniting for Ukraine?
   USCIS’ goal is to review and provide responses to the supporter’s Form I-134 as efficiently as possible. Once the Form I-134 review is complete and the Form I-134 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-134 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-134 or for an attorney or legal representative to use an online representative account to file a Form I-134 on behalf of a supporter or submit travel authorization information on behalf of a beneficiary after confirmation of the Form I-134.

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.

3. 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-134, as there is no option for an individual to represent that they are financially capable of supporting themselves or to submit a Form I-134 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-134 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-134 on behalf of a beneficiary.

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-134 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 periodexpires. Supporters must request a separate extension for each beneficiary by submitting a secure message to USCIS through their online account.

To submit the request:

• Step 1: Log in to your online account.
• Step 2: From the top of the webpage, select the My Account drop-down menu and select Inbox.
• Step 3: Click on the New Message button.
• Step 4: For the subject, select A case already filed online from the drop-down menu, and for your case receipt number, select your receipt number for Form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support).
• Step 5: In the message field, state your continued interest in supporting your named beneficiary who has not yet traveled to the United States and that you are requesting an extension of the beneficiary’s travel authorization, then click Send.

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-134 on their behalf to obtain a new travel authorization.

2. 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-134 filed on their behalf and every individual must have their own travel authorization to travel. This includes children. Once the Form I-134 is confirmed for an individual, each beneficiary, regardless of age, is assigned an A-Number and receives an online access code.
3. 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-134 and submit additional information.

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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

1. When a child is listed on their parent’s passport, how exactly should that information be entered into the Form I-134 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-134; there is no need to specifically note that the child is listed on their parent’s passport.

1. Do beneficiaries under Uniting for Ukraine automatically receive employment authorization once parole is approved?
   No. After a beneficiary is paroled into the United States, they may apply for discretionary employment authorization and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. To apply for an EAD, the beneficiary submits Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, using the (c)(11) category code with the required fee. Beneficiaries may apply for a fee waiver, which is granted on a case-by-case basis, by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver.
2. Will parolees under Uniting for Ukraine be allowed to work before USCIS approves their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization?
   No. After a beneficiary is paroled into the United States, they must apply for and be granted an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before they can begin work. To apply for an EAD, submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, using the (c)(11) category code with the required fee. Beneficiaries may apply for a fee waiver on a case-by-case basis by filing Form I-912.
3. After a parolee files Form I-765, how long will it take to receive their EAD?
   Generally, we process Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, in the order we receive them. For more information on processing times, visit our Check Case Processing Times page.

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. If a beneficiary needs to correct information on Form I-134, they should send a secure message using their USCIS online account. If a beneficiary has an issue with account access or needs a password reset, they should use our online need help form. For general questions or inquiries about status of a Form I-134, individuals can send a secure message from their USCIS account or call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
2. If a supporter entered an incorrect email address for the beneficiary on Form I-134, 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:
   • Explain that the email address for the beneficiary they entered on Form I-134 was incorrect; and
   • Request that USCIS update the beneficiary’s email address and send the USCIS Account Notice to the beneficiary’s correct email address.

   Note: The supporter’s letter should list both the original, incorrect email address provided on the Form I-134 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-134, 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.

3. All Forms I-134 I submitted are showing as confirmed in my account. However, the head of the household did not receive confirmation instructions for opening their online portal from USCIS, even though their spouse and children did.
   To ensure you have not missed a notification from USCIS, please check your spam and junk mail folders. While we cannot address case-specific questions, in general, in situations where the beneficiary has not received their Account Notice, call the USCIS Contact Center. The number for those outside the United States is 212-620-3418. Alternatively, the beneficiary’s supporter can send USCIS a secure message regarding the issue through their own USCIS online account, and after we complete the verification process, we can email the Account Notice to the beneficiary’s email that we have on file.
4. How can I correct my passport information on Form I-134?
   If the Form I-134 submitted by your supporter has already been confirmed and your passport information is incorrect, you will need to use your online account to:
   • Upload a copy of your valid, unexpired passport as Unsolicited Evidence in your Notices tab; and
   • Send USCIS a message from your Inbox. In the message, you must indicate that you have submitted evidence to correct passport information.

   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.

5. My Form I-134 has been confirmed, but you have not contacted my beneficiary yet. What should I do?If your beneficiary has not received the emailed notices, you should review the Form I-134 and ensure you provided the correct email address. If the email address is incorrect, log in to your USCIS online account, go to the Notices tab, and use the Unsolicited Evidence feature to upload a letter you have signed by hand (not electronically). The letter should:
   • Explain that the email address for the beneficiary you entered on Form I-134 was incorrect; and
   • Request that USCIS update the beneficiary’s email address and send the USCIS Account Notice to the beneficiary’s correct email address.

   Note: Your letter should list both the original, incorrect email address provided on the Form I-134 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.