Temporary Protected Status
On March 3, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. This allows nationals of Ukraine to stay in the United States under a form of humanitarian relief due to the Russian military invasion.
TPS is granted to countries that are experiencing conditions that prevent nationals to return safely to their countries. Temporary conditions for which a country is designated for TPS are ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, pandemics, or other conditions. Russia’s attack on Ukrainian nationals has made it dangerous for them to return safely and has left many individuals without basic needs such as food, water, shelter, electricity, and medical services.
TPS beneficiaries are allowed to stay in the United States for an extended period, apply for an employment authorization document (EAD), and can be granted travel authorization.
To be eligible for TPS, applicants must demonstrate that they are nationals of Ukraine and have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. Evidence can include copies of passports, birth certificates, I-94 Arrival/Departure Records, receipts/bills, employment records, school records, hospital/medical records, attestations from churches or other organization officials. Evidence of continuous residence should include dates whenever possible.
Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas for Nationals of Ukraine
On March 1, 2022, the Department of State (DOS) announced the U.S. Mission to Ukraine is not presently offering visa services. DOS issued the following processing posts for visa applicants in Ukraine that will take effect immediately:
- The Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany will process all Ukrainian immigrant visas except adoption cases.
- The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland will process adoption cases, A and G diplomatic and official visas.
Citizens seeking nonimmigrant visas can process their applications processed at the U.S. consulate where they are physically present and schedule appointments. A list of U.S. embassy websites is available at https://www.usembassy.gov/
Nationals of Ukraine do not require a Schengen visa to enter Germany or Poland. Immigrant and Diversity visa applicants who do not have appointments scheduled will be automatically reassigned to the Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany. Immigrant and Diversity visa applicants with appointments already scheduled in Frankfurt or Warsaw can request to be transferred to another processing post by contacting the consulate they wish to be transferred to.