
For Ukrainians
Are you a Ukrainian looking for a Sponsor for yourself, your family, or your group under the Uniting for Ukraine program?
Thank you for your interest in using Welcome Connect. We have had a very high number of interested Ukrainians. To provide a positive experience on the platform for sponsors and beneficiaries, signup for Ukrainians will be continuous but limited each signup period. Previously, registration was open on the 15th of each month at a designated time until the threshold was reached, upon which registration would close until the following month. Due to the substantially higher need encountered this month, we are now re-evaluating our process and may introduce changes moving forward. Please check back here for updates in the coming weeks.
Overview of humanitarian parole & sponsorship
See this self-paced, online training for an overview of the U4U program and how sponsorship works.
What happens after finding a sponsor?
Once you’ve found a sponsor, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
Complete Form I-134A
Your sponsor will complete the form online, but you will need to provide them information about yourself.
Create your online myUSCIS account
If Form I-134A is approved, you will receive an email from USCIS to create an online myUSCIS account
Confirm the required information
On your myUSCIS, you will need to confirm your biographical information and fulfill all requirements, such as attestation to the required immunizations
Check for your Travel Authorization
You will be notified on your myUSCIS account if approved
The most immediate needs you likely will need to work on with your sponsor are:
Housing Arrangement: Ensure that temporary housing has been settled on before you plan your travel coordination
Travel Coordination: Note that each member of your family must have travel authorization in order to arrive in the US
Employment Authorization: Your approved Form I-134A will suffice as work authorization, but only for 90 days after approval so you will need to complete Form I-765 for long-term authorization
See more details for these on the USCIS FAQ page.
Safety Tips
As you seek a sponsor, keep these safety tips in mind:
A sponsor should never:
Require money or a fee for filing the Uniting for Ukraine application or for any other purposes related to your sponsorship
Note that you may have to pay for some parts of your travel to the U.S., such as flights costs, but you should not pay any such fees directly to your sponsor
Require that the person they are sponsoring work for them, paid or unpaid.
Require that the person they are sponsoring do favors for them, including sexual.
Take away travel documents or means of communication.
Limit travel. People who enter the U.S. as part of Uniting for Ukraine are free to travel anywhere in the United States, and you are not required to stay in the city/town where your sponsor lives.
If you experience any of these things when you arrive in the US:
Tell Someone Immediately: Tell someone who can reach emergency services on your behalf what you are experiencing.
Call 911 on Any Phone: This is the emergency number in the United States. You will talk to an emergency dispatcher, who can help you reach safety immediately.
Additional Emergency Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
If you or someone you know is forced, tricked, or blackmailed, into working or trading sex in exchange for sponsorship or something else of change value (food, shelter, money), help is available. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Post-US Arrival Resources
There are a lot of resources available for U4U beneficiaries after arrival in the US. See these useful links and resources below:
ORR factsheet of eligible benefits for U4U
USA Hello Ukraine hub
Refugee Welcome Collective Ukrainian resource hub