swmfly

3 minutes ago, HarryGillung said:

Hi

I am sure someone else has asked this question but I have not found it scrolling through all of the questions and replies.

 

One of my beneficiaries has an issue and can not travel before his TA expires.  Is there a way to file for an extension or do I need to reapply for him and start over?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Harry

Hi there -- check out the information under Travel Authorizations:

https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine/frequently-asked-questions-about-uniting-for-ukraine#:~:text=Can I request an extension,extension of their travel authorization.

It outlines instructions for a one time extension.

1 minute ago, Traveler101 said:

That's a bomber.

Maybe try to think about it this way -- if you paid the fee, it's likely (not guaranteed) the beneficiary will receive their work authorization a couple weeks faster than if you applied for the waiver, which is time they could start working and earning money.

3 hours ago, Maugliavus said:

Am i missing something? I am filing  I-134 for my fiance doughter who is only 13 years old. And when it asks for a passport and passport number i have nothing to write in as the child is still young and has no passport. So the system is coming up with errors. What am i doing wrong?

 

Thanks

Every beneficiary needs an international passport. I supported a family with a 20 month old and an 11 year old. Both had passports.

If your beneficiary is outside of Ukraine already, the parent can contact the nearest UA embassy to get a passport for the child 

4 hours ago, hutzul said:

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?

One of the Ukrainian children in the family I sponsored was also in this situation - there were no issues. While it unfortunately seems like every airport varies, they did not need need to provide proof of vaccination upon departure or arrival.

They were prepared to explain that the child would receive the first dose in the US, which is what they committed to in the attestation.

Good luck!

3 hours ago, Kineo said:

A question came to my mind about whether Passport expiry will effect how long they will stamp the parole for. One of my beneficiaries passport expires int April 2023. From my understanding too far way to renew now. Does anyone have experience with whether they will parole for 2 years or until April 2023? If April 2023 is there a process to extend the parole once their passport is renewed?

-Kineo

I don't have experience with this situation -- but the I-94 granting HP will not change, so it could still be used to prove dates of parole. 

This is what CBP says about expiring passports and the validity of visas:

"If a U.S. visa has been issued on a passport that has expired, you should carry both your new passport and the expired passport containing your valid visa. There is no need to re-apply for a new visa unless the visa term has itself expired."

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-905?language=en_US

9 hours ago, Traveler101 said:

They are actually coming from Dnipro and most likely to Warsaw to get a straight flight to NYC. I still have to research the airfare and what's the best and safest way. I'm thinking from Dnipro to Lviv and then to Warsaw.

FYI, LOT has discounted fares for adults (-10%) and children (-30%) -- but must call the airline.

3 minutes ago, Kineo said:

To board a plane as far as I know they will need a negative test result.

-Kineo

^this requirement was lifted 3 weeks ago.

International travelers to the US should be vaccinated.

The Ukrainians I am supporting were not asked for any documentation in Europe (departed from Prague) or at the US port of entry.

2 minutes ago, Olga Roma said:

Hi everyone! Do you know if the person travelling to the US is required to have negative COVID test result? Or is there anyone who successfully travelled to the US without it?

Negative covid test results aren't required anymore. The Ukrainians I am supporting traveled without tests. No one asked them for anything covid-related. 

8 hours ago, Traveler101 said:

And on my USCIS home page it says that both cases are closed. The beneficiaries are sleeping right now, so I'm not sure if they got the travel notice. Also, I never received any emails about any updates; I was just nervously checking account every day for any updates.

 

Also, will beneficiaries need a paper travel authorization notice or just show on the phone? I'm not sure if their postal service works and if mail gets delivered.

 

Thank you all for the useful information here!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi!

They should check their USCIS accounts. Approved Travel Authorizations will appear there. They should download and print the Travel Authorizations to show the airline when boarding + at the US port of entry.

Just sharing an update --

The beneficiaries I sponsored (family of 4) arrived in the US yesterday (point of entry: SLC) and they couldn't have had a better experience -- their biometrics were taken, but no additional questions or prolonged waiting. They were were prepared for a much more involved experience, but grateful it was short and uncomplicated. There were 2 others arriving at the same time via the U4U program, so very few beneficiaries being processed at the same time. 

Simply FYI.

6 minutes ago, Mack88 said:

Hey guys. So I just got off the phone with USCIS officer. I was told that only immediate relatives can be petitioners on that program so since I am just a fiance for now, unfortunately I can't apply. This specific condition is not listed on USCIS website unless I am blind. Did anyone already get their fiancee to US on this program? Can you share your experience?

A supporter/sponsor does not have to be an immediate family member for Uniting for Ukraine. The beneficiaries I am supporting are my friends, not immediate family members. In my circumstance, they were approved in 1 day and will be traveling this week. 

6 minutes ago, Kineo said:

Found this link: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-ukrainian-humanitarian-parolees

I thought this thread would be very interested in this information.

-Kineo

Was about to share the same -- thanks!

3 hours ago, danmeland said:

can this be done with the ukraine I'd card?

 

A beneficiary needs a passport -- if you know a Ukrainian who only has a Ukrainian ID, have them apply for a passport. If they are outside Ukraine, they should contact the nearest Ukrainian embassy.

2 hours ago, Mrs D. said:

I’d double check on that. If you submit from US on behalf of your beneficiaries - it’s not them completing attestations… I don’t recall where exactly but it was stated in some instructions that beneficiaries had to be the ones completing and submitting the forms.

I had my beneficiaries on a Zoom call and assisted them with the exercise. 
Not sure if the system is smart enough to capture IP address of where it was submitted from though.

I completed on behalf of the beneficiaries (beneficiaries were on WhatsApp). I was traveling and submitted one from outside the US and the rest from inside the US. They were approved same day & Travel Authorizations were issued.

I don't think the system "cares"/captures IP. Even if IP is captured somewhere, there doesn't seem to be an impact.

10 hours ago, Maria Zaychik said:

Hello,I am about to apply for mother with 3 little children , they are my friends and a bit afraid. Can they get welfare medical incurance? My children are having welfare medical. Will i be able to get any help in case its needed?

What they are eligible for will depend on your state. It seems as though there are states where Parolees are eligible to apply for some benefits (food stamps, WIC, Medicaid/CHIP) or may be eligible for a Marketplace plan.

Perhaps check with your state agency or check with a local NGO/community organization that handles refugee resettlement (e.g., IRC, HIAS, Catholic Community Services -- if you have any of these where you live).

12 hours ago, Kineo said:

The vaccination records are not require for Uniting for Ukraine. But they may need them for other needs once they are here. e.g. school enrollment for children in many states. I expect they would need to be an official translation.  

 

Your medical screening questions are a good ones. I've been asking them myself.  Getting health insurance in place for this seems to me to be challenging in 14 days.

 

-Kineo

 

 

For TB tests -- wish we knew if they could bring negative results from Ukraine.

My plan is to take the beneficiaries to a local health department clinic, where TB screenings are done for $20 (unless I find out whether they can be done for free). They are routinely done at this clinic for newly arrived immigrants, refugees, and international students. 

I would contact your local health department and/or a local NGO that handles medical screenings for refugee arrivals/resettled refugees. If you identify yourself as the sponsor of an arriving Parolee, they should hopefully have some useful info.

2 minutes ago, Kineo said:

Not yet. My beneficiaries haven't arrived yet. Good to know about the possibility of a fee waiver. Do you know how that is supposed to work?

Thanx - Kineo

Take it with a grain of salt -- a sponsor on FB told me that he filed Form I-912 (fee waiver) on behalf of the beneficiary and it was recently approved, but they haven't submitted the actual I-765 yet. Paper forms, not online. Ukrainian parolees apply using code (c)(11) as the basis for their application/fee waiver.

That's all I "know" so far! Beneficiaries arrive in about 2 weeks. We'll be submitting ASAP.

On 5/8/2022 at 11:27 PM, Kineo said:

I am wondering if United for Ukraine beneficiaries can do the I-765 online or do they need to file paper forms. Is anyone starting this process yet?

 

Thanx - Kineo

Hi -- have you filled the paper forms? Just wondering how the I-765 process is playing out for everyone. I understand that it's the paper form, with a fee waiver.

Is there anyone who can share their beneficiary's experience at the POE?

I've read that beneficiaries can be with CBP for hours... can anyone confirm? 

Thanks

9 hours ago, Kjcdc090385 said:

How are you able to update their passport information?   That field remains grayed out for me when I go to do the attestation of biographical information. I also need to fix the passport information. 

When you go to the attestation, there should be an option to edit the information at the top (click on edit). Hope that helps. 

On 5/23/2022 at 3:50 PM, OtherDan_84 said:

Sorry, could have made it clearer, but I thought it was implied from the thread title. I'm asking about the Form I-134 and the eligibility requirement listed on USCIS website for the beneficiary: "Are a Ukrainian citizen and possess a valid Ukrainian passport (or are a child included on a parent’s passport)" https://www.uscis.gov/ukraine

Hi there -- we are also discussing this issue in this thread:

If the beneficiary you are supporting is outside Ukraine, they should contact the nearest Ukrainian embassy to try and get a Ukrainian passport for travel.

7 minutes ago, Spring Wns said:

 

Thanks--they will be getting travel passports, just issues as "refugee passports" from their host EU country. The local UA embassy said that it would take 6+ months to issue UA passports. I used their UA internal passport info on the form, and I am trying to decide whether to use the EU refugee passport or UA internal passport info for the final submission of my package.

This is tricky.

Generally, "refugee passports" are official travel documents for travel between a refugee's home country and the host country where they applied for asylum/where they applied for refugee status or the country where they are being resettled. The "refugee passport"/refugee travel document would be issued by the host/resettlement country (for example, Germany). Depending on which host/resettlement country issued the "refugee passport"/refugee travel document, the refugee would only be able to travel between a few countries.

The U.S. issues its own travel documents for refugees and may not accept a refugee passport/refugee travel document issued by another host/resettlement country.

I know that's probably not a very helpful response. I wonder if it would be possible for the beneficiaries you are supporting to consult another Ukrainian embassy? 

12 hours ago, Spring Wns said:

Hey, folks. Thank you for this very helpful thread. I am sponsoring two elderly Ukrainians. They do not have Ukrainian biometric passports; rather, they have internal Ukraine passports (which say "Passport" but as I understand are not valid for foreign travel). They are currently in an EU country and will have refugee passports issued by that country soon. I am approved at the validation of assets stage but have not yet completed the step of confirming biographic information. My question is: should I confirm with their Ukrainian non-biometric / internal passports, or with their EU refugee passports? Has anyone had experience with this? Thanks!

If the beneficiaries you are supporting do not have biometric passports for international travel, they should probably go to the nearest Ukrainian embassy. The passports can be issued there.

The beneficiaries I am sponsoring just received new Ukrainian passports for each member of their family from the Ukrainian embassy in the EU country where they are currently displaced.

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Do you mean the Sponsors assets?

No -- I mean the Beneficiary Assets. The Beneficiary has their own assets.

Perhaps I will just leave this portion blank? 

Hi there -- 

Am currently completing the I-134 for a friend and their family. I tried to scan the thread here quickly, but haven't yet seen an answer to my question. 

Regarding proof of Beneficiary Assets -- I attempted to upload evidence of assets (e.g., property) which are in both English and Ukrainian. The system returned the following error: "Only English characters accepted."

Has anyone else encountered this? If so, is there a work around?