Has anyone else applied for the Uniting for Ukraine program?

[Kineo 93]

1 hour ago, Carmin said:

Hello. 

 

My beneficiary's travel authorization will expire soon. Can I apply for a new one now or have to wait until the old one expires? 

I am not able to extend it. USCIS told me they are not doing it now.

 

Will they grant my beneficiary a new travel authorization?

You can request an extension from CBP. From https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine/frequently-asked-questions-about-uniting-for-ukraine#:~:text=Beneficiaries may not request an,original approved travel authorization periodexpires.:

Quote

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.

-Kineo

Edited November 23, 2022 by Kineo

[Kineo 93]

This is big!

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/certain-afghan-and-ukrainian-parolees-are-employment-authorized-incident-to-parole

The way I understand this, parolees are now eligible to start work immediately with just their I-94 and while they start their I-765 process. And the I-765 will be no charge, thus no need to file the I-912.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-related-news/certain-afghan-and-ukrainian-parolees-are-employment-authorized-incident-to-parole

-Kineo 

[TBoneTX 43,477]

3 hours ago, Kineo said:

The way I understand this, parolees are now eligible to start work immediately with just their I-94 and while they start their I-765 process.

If true, big indeed!

[HiltonHead 3]

Hi, under the u4u program, after she (ukrainian) arrives in the usa - can she leave and reenter?  or is this a one time entry like a k 1?   what would be needed so that she could leave and reenter?  thanks.

[HiltonHead 3]

Yes, on the news about work authorization.  Do not need to file a I-765, use your I-94 which shows code on it.  can still apply for I-765 without a fee.

[HiltonHead 3]

Employment Authorization

Effective Nov. 21, 2022, beneficiaries 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, USCIS does 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, with a class of admission (COA) of “UHP” is an acceptable List A document that shows your identity and work authorization for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. 

[Crazy Cat 39,731]

1 hour ago, HiltonHead said:

Hi, under the u4u program, after she (ukrainian) arrives in the usa - can she leave and reenter?  or is this a one time entry like a k 1?   what would be needed so that she could leave and reenter?  thanks.

As of May 26, 2022:

Frequently Asked Questions New Relief Options for Ukrainians.pdf

 

"Q: Can someone who is paroled under U4U travel abroad, either with advance parole or an existing B1/B2 visa?

A: USCIS notes on its U4U website that if someone has already been paroled into the United States, their parole will automatically be terminated if the individual departs without obtaining advance authorization to travel. However, neither DHS nor USCIS has clarified whether someone paroled in under U4U is even eligible for advance parole. Note that a parolee who departs and then attempts to re-enter the United States using a B1/B2 visa may terminate his or her parolee status upon admission in B1/B2 status. The parolee may also face scrutiny at the port of entry regarding whether they possess the requisite nonimmigrant intent. Until there is more clarity on this issue and guidance from DHS, U4U beneficiaries should be cautioned about traveling abroad."

Edited November 24, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Kineo 93]

1 hour ago, HiltonHead said:

Hi, under the u4u program, after she (ukrainian) arrives in the usa - can she leave and reenter?  or is this a one time entry like a k 1?   what would be needed so that she could leave and reenter?  thanks.

Parole ends on leaving the country. There are a few excepts if you are eligible for Advanced Parole e.g. death in the family or education. 

Quote

 

You must complete Part 4. of the form indicating how your intended travel fits within 1 of the 3 purposes below.  You must also provide evidence of your reason for travel outside of the United States including the dates of travel and the expected duration outside the United States.  If your advance parole application is approved, the validity dates of your Advance Parole Document will be for the duration of the documented need for travel.  

Below are examples of acceptable evidence:

Educational Purposes

(a) A letter from a school employee acting in an official capacity describing the purpose of the travel and explaining why travel is required or beneficial; or

(b) A document showing enrollment in an educational program requiring travel.

Employment Purposes

A letter from your employer or a conference host describing the need for the travel.

Humanitarian Purposes

(a) A letter from your physician explaining the nature of your medical condition, the specific medical treatment to be sought outside of the United States, and a brief explanation why travel outside the U.S. is medically necessary; or  

(b) Documentation of a family member’s serious illness or death.

 

-Kineo

Edited November 24, 2022 by Kineo

[Kineo 93]

1 hour ago, HiltonHead said:

Yes, on the news about work authorization.  Do not need to file a I-765, use your I-94 which shows code on it.  can still apply for I-765 without a fee.

From what I understand; Yes you need to file I-765, Which now will be no charge. Working with I-94 is only valid for 90 days, non-renewable.

-Kineo

Edited November 24, 2022 by Kineo

[Crazy Cat 39,731]

4 minutes ago, Kineo said:

Parole ends on leaving the country. There are a few excepts if you are eligible for Advanced Parole e.g. death in the family or education. 

-Kineo

Does this apply to U4U or people who have approved advance parole? 

[Kineo 93]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Does this apply to U4U or people who have approved advance parole? 

U4U for sure. I'm pretty sure for AP, but I would have to read up on that. I think it applies to any humanitarian parole.

-Kineo

Edited November 24, 2022 by Kineo

[Carmin 1]

On 11/23/2022 at 3:46 PM, Kineo said:

You can request an extension from CBP

Nope. The agent online said USCIS doesnt do the extensions even though it says they do.

 

Did anyone have their vaccination records checked at the border?

[Stephleslie 0]

Sorry, this has been asked before, but I couldn’t find a specific answer. My beneficiary wants to fly into a different city than the one I’m located in. She has friends there and wants to settle in that area as opposed to coming to my city.
 

Is that possible? Or, as her sponsor, does she have to come to where I am?

 

her friends are ready and willing to pick her up at the airport and have housing set up for her already, which is why she wants to stay in that area.

[Matiola 8]

Hi,

I have a question and I wonder if someone has a similar situation.

Shortly, I am going to file I-134 form for my sister in Ukraine under U4U. Also, as the US citizen, I would like to file a Petition for Alien Relative (I-130) for her.

The question is: can I file these 2 forms simultaneously (or a week/month apart)? I-130 might take USCIS many years to process so I would like to start now and to wait patiently for the approval. Meanwhile, I would like my sister to come and stay with me for a while (form 6 months up to 2 years).

I think I should start with  the I-134 and then later file the I-130. But I am also concerned that one petition can somehow affect the other.

I would much appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

Edited November 25, 2022 by Matiola

[Matiola 8]

21 minutes ago, Stephleslie said:

Sorry, this has been asked before, but I couldn’t find a specific answer. My beneficiary wants to fly into a different city than the one I’m located in. She has friends there and wants to settle in that area as opposed to coming to my city.
 

Is that possible? Or, as her sponsor, does she have to come to where I am?

 

her friends are ready and willing to pick her up at the airport and have housing set up for her already, which is why she wants to stay in that area.

Hi,

I am not an expert by any means but I heard a lot about such situations and as far as I know it is OK, nothing wrong with it. Your beneficiary can live at different address and in different city.

Edited November 25, 2022 by Matiola