Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole (UHP through U4U)

Humanitarian parole may allow you to come to the U.S. and stay temporarily.

You generally can get work authorization during your parole period. Depending on when you arrive, you also may be eligible for food assistance, medical assistance or other benefits.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for UHP through U4U if you:

• Lived in Ukraine and were displaced. You must have lived in Ukraine through Feb. 11, 2022, and must have been displaced by the invasion.
• Are a Ukrainian citizen or immediate family. You must have a valid Ukrainian passport, or if you are not a Ukrainian citizen, you must be an immediate family member traveling with the Ukrainian citizen.
• Have a sponsor in the U.S. Your sponsor must agree to financially support you while you are in the U.S. The sponsor must file a form and be confirmed by U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Complete health requirements. You may need to get vaccinations and meet other public health requirements.
• Clear screenings. You must clear screenings and security checks.

If you have a child under age 18, the child must travel to the U.S. in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian.

If you are already in the U.S., you may want to learn about Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine.

If you have eligibility questions, talk to a lawyer. You can use our Ukrainian Resource Finder to locate organizations offering direct services to Ukrainians in Ohio.

How to apply

To apply for UHP through U4U, you will need to:

• Get a sponsor in the U.S. Your sponsor must file a form with U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) and agree to financially support you while you are in the U.S. USCIS may ask for more information after your sponsor files the form.
• Submit information with USCIS. Once your sponsor is approved, look for an email from USCIS. Check your spam and junk folders so you don’t miss important messages.
• Get vaccines if needed. You will need to confirm vaccinations you have had, and you may need to get vaccines before you can travel to the U.S.
• Get travel authorization. Look for a notice from USCIS saying you are authorized to travel to the U.S. You will be responsible for getting your own flight and meeting any travel requirements for the flight. Your travel authorization will be valid for 90 days typically.
• Travel to the U.S. and request admission as a parolee. Typically this is done at an airport or other port of entry, where you go through an inspection, and then get an I-94 proof of parole.

Re-parole

USCIS announced a process for Ukrainian parolees to apply for a 2-year extension of their parole.

If you were paroled into the U.S. on or after Feb. 11, 2022, (or if your immediate family member was), you may be eligible for re-parole.  

To apply for re-parole:

• Apply with USCIS. You should follow the instructions from USCIS and apply online, if possible, at least 60 days before your current parole period expires.
• Show good reason for re-parole. Generally, you must show that there are continued, urgent humanitarian reasons for your parole, you are physically present in the U.S. as a parolee, you followed the conditions of your initial parole, and you clear background checks and screenings.
• Pay the fee. There is a fee of several hundred dollars to apply for re-parole. You can apply to waive the fee, but if you do, you cannot apply for re-parole online. You must file a paper version. Check the USCIS website for the most current filing fee information.

Once your re-parole is approved you may apply for a new work permit. You may not apply for a new work permit or employment authorization until re-parole is approved.  

Benefits of UHP through U4U

Depending on when you were paroled, you may be eligible for food assistance, medical assistance or other benefits.

If you were granted UHP through U4U on or before Sept. 30, 2023, (or if your spouse was), you may be eligible for some benefits and services that are normally available to refugees.

The benefits may include:

• Cash assistance. Needy families with children may be able to get cash assistance through a program called Ohio Works First. If you aren’t eligible for Ohio Works First, you may be able to get assistance through the Refugee Cash Assistance program.
• Medical assistance. You may be able to get a medical card to go to a doctor or get medication through Medicaid or Refugee Medical Assistance.
• Food assistance. You may be able to get a card to get food every month through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Refugee support services. You may be able to get help with interpretation, translation, adjusting socially, getting a job or childcare.

If you want to apply for benefits:

• Contact a resettlement agency. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has a refugee services unit that coordinates and administers refugee services in Ohio. You can also find a listing of local resettlement agencies in Ohio from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement.
• Apply as soon as possible. Generally, you can only get benefits for up to 12 months after you are granted parole, so don't wait to apply if you think you are eligible.

Other options

You may qualify for other programs, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine.

If you have questions or need help, talk to a lawyer. You can use our Ukrainian Resource Finder to locate organizations offering direct services to Ukrainians in Ohio.