hutzul

Agreed, IRS does not move quickly. Possbily the intent is just to have the appropriate form(s) filed and taxes current upon departure from US.

We hope and pray the war will end soon and understandably the U4U program would be cancelled. With the recent war escalation and no negotiations to end the war there appears to be no end in sight for the war. For our beneficiaries was just considering that they may change their minds yet again once back in Ukraine for a while and apply for U4U again if the war is still ongoing and how dangerous it becomes back home. From the IRS website When To Get a Sailing or Departure Permit You should get your sailing or departure permit at least 2 weeks before you plan to leave. You cannot apply earlier than 30 days before your planned departure date. Do not wait until the last minute in case there are unexpected problems.

Our U4U beneficiaries are homesick and miss their husbands so they want to leave for good under the U4U program. They may apply again for US Visas once the war ends along with their husbands but until then they want to go back home. Although we have encouraged them to stay for a bit longer especially now since the war is escalating, I do understand their frustration and being torn between two places and how hard it is when families are not together but separated. Want to make sure that they comply with requirements leaving under the U4U program to make sure that there is no impact if they would like to later apply for a Visa or even future U4U if they decide. One of our beneficiaries worked last year, had W4 and W2 and filed a 2021 tax return. The other beneficiary did not work and did not file 2021 tax return. Not sure if that matters any when deciphering alien departure requirements for each.

For anyone who has had U4U beneficiaries return to Ukraine after their time in the USA and who have worked in USA while here..... Seems there might be a requirement to obtain sailing papers before leaving USA to return to Ukraine From: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/departing-alien-clearance-sailing-permit Before leaving the United States, all aliens (except those listed below under Aliens Not Required To Obtain Sailing or Departure Permits) must obtain a certificate of compliance. This document, also popularly known as the sailing permit or departure permit, must be secured from the IRS before leaving the U.S. You will receive a sailing or departure permit after filing a Form 1040-C, U.S. Departing Alien Income Tax Return or Form 2063, U.S. Departing Alien Income Tax Statement and Annual Certificate of Compliance. I am assuming this would apply to U4U beneficiaries as well. Anyone familiar with that process and/or if it applies to U4U beneficiaries?

Just my opinion.. If there are requirements to present COVID-19 vaccination documentation to travel to USA will vary depending on the country and airline your beneficiaries are departing from. (i.e. how familiar the personnel are with the Uniting For Ukraine program requirements). Also, CDC has also rescinded the predeparture COVID testing requirements for travel to USA back in June.

Our Uniting for Ukraine beneficiaries arrived this past Saturday. The flight departure and arrival and CBP process went very smoothly. Lots of good info and tips on this thread helped them to be prepared for each step of the way. Thank you to all the contributors on this thread.

If you don't mind my asking, did they depart from Poland and if so via what airline?

This form from CDC seems to indicate that children up to 17 years old are exempt from the COVID vaccine requirement which is required to enter the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/NCEZID_FRM_Pass_Attest_Eng-508.pdf If the 12 year old cannot get the vaccination in time, we are going to have our family download and fill out one of the forms for each passenger, in hopes that the 12 year does not get prevented from boarding the flight in Warsaw.

We are sponsoring a mother with two children. One child is 5 and the other was 11 at time of Uniting for Ukraine application but has just turned 12 this week. All have received their approvals under Uniting for Ukraine program and flight tickets are purchased . The mother is fully vaccinated against Covid, children are not. They will be flying via LOT airlines out of Warsaw to JFK next month, in August. Question around the 12 year old...... Cannot find a clear answer as to what the boarding flight and USCIS Covid requirements may be for the 12 year old. The five year old will not need the Covid vaccine due to falling in the 5 or under age group under CDC guidelines. What about the 12 year old? My understanding is that Ukraine as a country currently allows vaccinating children 12 years and older. It appears the 12 year old may need a minimum first dose of Covid vaccine, which they currently do not have due to just turning 12. Safest bet is to have the 12 year receive the first dose of Covid vaccine, however scheduling time for this during the war may be an issue. Have heard of other 12 year olds not being allowed to board a flight to USA due to lack of first Covid vaccine. Anyone have experience with this type of situation?

Thank you for answers to my previous questions. I have found this post and replies to be very helpful and informative. Do Ukrainian vaccine records need to be translated and notarized, or can one translate them themselves? Also, once sponsored family is in the US the requirement is to get a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) test, within 14 days of arrival. Will the US accept TB test results from Ukraine or Poland, since it is probably cheaper to do that there? If not, since sponsored people do not have insurance what has everyone found to be the most cost effective way of doing it in US?

For those that have had their sponsored individuals arrive in US, did you purchase roundtrip airline tickets or one-way tickets. For visa holders in the past our family members have had to show a return airline ticket to CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) when entering the US. Under UFU wondering if a one-way ticket is sufficient. One can buy a roundtrip ticket and possibly reschedule the departure date as it approaches or just let it expire. It does not appear that we are able to buy a ticket with a two year difference between arrival and departure.