What is Humanitarian Sponsorship?

Humanitarian sponsorship responds to the immediate needs of people caught in urgent crises due to war, violence, or political and economic instability, such as Ukrainians through the U4U program.

Sponsorship through these programs provides a rapid and streamlined pathway to safety, enabling approved families to arrive in the United States in a matter of weeks.

Families sponsored under these programs receive humanitarian parole for two years and can apply for work authorization.

Humanitarian sponsors must name someone who they want to sponsor when filing an application. (If you don’t already know someone from one of the designated countries, you can sign up on the Welcome Connect platform to begin a conversation with people seeking a sponsor.)

Sponsors can welcome newcomers on their own, as a group, or alongside a community organization. Sponsors work to:

• Submit an application to USCIS to conduct security and background checks and verify the ability of sponsors to provide initial financial support for newcomers
• Prepare themselves to be successful sponsors with training, learning best practices, and finding local resources to help newcomers rebuild their lives
• Commit to supporting beneficiaries to become self-sufficient within three months, and as needed for at least 2 years, including financial and social support

1. Watch this 2-minute video of Kelly, an experienced Welcome.US sponsor, sharing her experience about the costs associated with sponsoring someone seeking safety and the financial resources available to help sponsors.
2. Explore financial support for sponsors, such as $3000 matching grants and free flights

Applications through this pathway may be approved quickly, in several weeks. Once an application is approved sponsors will:

• Arrange flights and potentially assist with the cost of air travel for beneficiaries
• Secure initial housing
• Connect the newcomer to local services and resources
• Help newcomer adults apply for work authorization and a job to help their financial sustainability

Many services and resources are available to help sponsors and newcomers navigate the welcome process. Humanitarian sponsors can work with a newcomer to determine what level of support is needed – ranging from light-touch for individuals joining family in the U.S. to comprehensive support from local organizations that serve newcomers. On Welcome Connect, humanitarian sponsors who have the capacity to support newcomer families of three or more are eligible to apply to receive additional support, including access to free flights and matching grants to supplement their financial commitment to sponsorship.

For more detailed information, review:

• FAQs for Sponsors of Ukrainians
• FAQs for Sponsors of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans

Humanitarian sponsorship is a great sponsorship option for you if:

• You either know or want to support someone from one of the designated countries.
• You’d be ready to welcome a new arrival in a matter of weeks.
• You thrive in environments that offer autonomy and flexibility.
• You are willing and able to seek out support services, as you need them.

Through humanitarian sponsorship, you commit to supporting beneficiaries to become self-sufficient within three months, and as needed for at least two years, including financial and social support.

• Watch this 2-minute video of Kelly, an experienced Welcome.US sponsor, sharing her experience about the costs associated with sponsoring someone seeking safety
• Explore financial support for sponsors, such as up to $3,000 in matching grants or free flights