Category: Parolee

Uniting for Ukraine U4U Update: Program Postponed in January 2025

1/30/2025

Update on Form I-134A

Release Date 01/28/2025

Программа Ю4Ю для Украины временно приостановлена.
Если у вас есть возможность подать на ТПС, это остается лучший вариант для многих украинцев в США.

Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.

Read here.

On January 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a pause of the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Parole Program, a special program implemented after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that permits Ukrainians seeking temporary refuge to travel to and work in the United States.
The DHS directive halts the review and adjudication of both initial and renewal parole applications under the U4U program. While not officially terminated, the directive suggests that DHS will not accept new applications for initial parole periods or renewal (or “reparole”) applications for those seeking to extend their parole in the United States. During an undetermined review period, individuals outside the United States should not expect decisions on pending applications, and those currently in the United States are strongly encouraged to explore alternative options to maintain legal status and work authorization.

The best policy at this time is to avoid International Travel: Foreign nationals with Advance Parole or similar travel authorizations are advised not to leave the United States. Due to heightened scrutiny at ports of entry, travelers risk being denied reentry and may face expedited removal proceedings. Those seeking reentry have reportedly been asked to voluntarily depart or risk detention.

However, recently the CBP posted this update, advising travelers that the old form I-512, Advance Parole, are still acceptable documents for reentry to the United States.

Please see here.
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/executive_order_on_securing_our_borders_20250122.pdf

Мы опубликовали видео про этут тут:

https://youtube.com/shorts/F0jxH2JbUcc?si=9XiLYtcS-LTEsJGY

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August 19 2024 NEW Parole In Place Process Online Form I-131F

8/19/2024

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Starting Aug. 19, 2024, you may file Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens, online with the applicable filing fee. There is no fee waiver available for Form I-131F.

Each requestor, including noncitizen stepchildren, must file a separate Form I-131F requesting parole in place, and each requestor must have their own USCIS online account. A parent or legal guardian may create an online account for their minor child if the purpose is to submit a form on behalf of the minor. If a parent or legal guardian is not available, a primary caregiver or legal assistance provider may also help a child create their own USCIS online account. Information on creating a USCIS online account is available on the How to Create a USCIS Online Account page.

UPDATE effective 08/26/2024:

Administrative Stay of Keeping Families Together - as of August 26, 2024, temporarily can't file a I-131F, application for Parole In Place.

On Aug. 26, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, issued an administrative stay, preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from granting parole in place under Keeping Families Together for 14 days.

To comply with the district court’s administrative stay, USCIS will, until further notice:

Not grant any pending parole in place requests under Keeping Families Together.

Continue to accept filings of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens.

Continue to schedule biometric appointments and capture biometrics at Application Support Centers (ASCs).

The district court’s administrative stay order does not affect any applications that were approved before the administrative stay order was issued at 6:46 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 26, 2024. Individuals granted parole in place under this process before the administrative stay order was issued may still file for any other immigration benefit for which they may be eligible, including employment authorization and adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident.

Please note: You can only apply for employment authorization after your Form I-131F is approved. If you file your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, before USCIS approves your Form I-131F request under this process, USCIS will reject or deny your Form I-765.

Biometric Appointments
USCIS continues to schedule biometric appointments consistent with the administrative stay order issued by the district court on Aug. 26, 2024. All individuals with biometric appointments should plan to appear at their appointment at the scheduled date, time, and ASC indicated on their notice. Individuals should not arrive on a different date, unless they have rescheduled their appointments. Individuals who were turned away at an ASC will have their appointment rescheduled by USCIS.

As a reminder, individuals must print their biometric appointment notice and bring it with them to their appointment. In addition, if individuals are unable to attend the appointment, they can reschedule using the online rescheduling request process, as long as rescheduling takes place before the initial appointment expires. For more information, see the Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment page.

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Who is eligible to apply for Parole in Place under this new program?

Q. What are the eligibility criteria for Keeping Families Together?
A. To be considered for this process as a noncitizen spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must:

Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2014, through the date of filing your request;
Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024;
Have no disqualifying criminal history and otherwise not deemed to be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security; and
Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting.

To be considered for this process as a noncitizen stepchild of a U.S. citizen, you must:

Have been under the age of 21 and unmarried on June 17, 2024;
Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2024, through the date of filing your request;
Have a noncitizen parent who entered into a legally valid marriage with a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024, and before your 18th birthday;
Have no disqualifying criminal history and otherwise not deemed to be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security*; and
Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting.

*NOTE: Consistent with the Sept. 30, 2021, Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law (PDF), a noncitizen who poses a threat to border security will be generally disqualified from receiving parole in place pursuant to this process. However, there is an exception for stepchildren who entered the United States unlawfully after Nov. 1, 2020, and who otherwise meet the criteria for parole in place under this process.
All such requests for parole in place are considered on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit, in the exercise of discretion, taking into account the totality of the circumstances of each individual request.

Application for Parole in Place must be filed only ONLINE using a new online form I-131F.
Application fee is $580 per person.
Approval is not guaranteed because it is a discretionary and decided on a case-by-case basis.
If approved, will be granted parole under 212(d)(5) for 3 years.
Under section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to allow certain noncitizen “applicants for admission” to be present in the United States on a temporary, case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit.
If approved, can apply for adjustment of status (aka Green Card) if eligible.
If approved, can apply for a work permit under c(11).

Applying for Employment Authorization

After you are granted parole in place under Keeping Families Together, you may apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS. To apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) as a parolee, you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, using the (c)(11) category code with either the required fee or a fee waiver request.
To file Form I-765 online, eligible applicants will access their USCIS online account at my.uscis.gov.

Leaving the United States
A grant of parole in place through Keeping Families Together does not authorize parole back into the United States if you decide to depart. If you depart the United States after being granted parole in place, your period of parole will automatically terminate. If you depart the United States without first obtaining an Advance Parole Document, you run a significant risk of not being able to return to the United States and you may also be ineligible for future immigration benefits.
CAUTION: Travel outside of the United States, even with advance parole, may have severe immigration-related consequences, including with respect to potential inadmissibility or execution of an outstanding order of removal. Parole into the United States is not guaranteed even if you have been granted advance parole prior to leaving the country. You are still subject to immigration inspection at a U.S. port of entry to determine whether you may be paroled into the United States and whether you are eligible for the immigration status you seek. For further information, see our Travel Documents page. Consultation with a qualified attorney or accredited representative is strongly advised prior to any travel outside of the United States.
Subsequent Filing of Form I-130 or Form I-360 Petition
A grant of parole in place does not establish eligibility for future immigration benefits, including an immigrant petition or lawful permanent resident status. To establish eligibility for lawful permanent resident status, the petitioning U.S. citizen spouse or parent of a parolee must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or in the case of certain widow(er)s and their children, parolees must file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant.
USCIS will determine eligibility for those petitions in a separate adjudication. For purposes of Form I-130 based on marriage, you must demonstrate that you entered into a bona fide marriage with the beneficiary, and for a Form I-130 for a stepchild, you must demonstrate a bona fide stepparent-stepchild relationship.
There are additional requirements for Form I-360 for certain widow(er)s and their children, including filing deadlines, residence requirements, and marital status requirements. A stepchild may remain eligible for an immigrant petition despite their parent’s marriage to a U.S. citizen being terminated through death of either parent or divorce, so long as a bona fide stepparent-stepchild relationship continues to exist following the death or divorce.
Subsequent Filing of Form I-485
A grant of parole in place does not by itself establish eligibility for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident under INA section 245(a). A grant of parole in place satisfies the requirement under INA section 245(a) that the applicant has been inspected and paroled by an immigration officer.
However, it does not satisfy any other requirements for adjustment of status, including the requirement to have an approved immigrant petition with a visa immediately available and establishing that the noncitizen is not inadmissible under any applicable ground in INA section 212(a), 8 U.S.C. 1182(a).
If granted parole in place, the noncitizen would need a qualifying family member to file Form I-130 on their behalf, or file Form I-360 on their own behalf (if not previously filed; see above). The noncitizen would also need to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and possibly Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, if needed.

С сегодняшнего дня 19 августа 2024 открылась программа, о которой было объявлено в июне. Подача заявления на пароль возможна только онлайн: форма I-131F и госпошлина 580 на человека. Это не заявление на грин карту, а заявление на тип гуманитарного пароля для тех, кто въехал в США без визы. Если пароль утвердят, затем можно будет подавать на разрешение на работу и на грин карту.

Form I-131F guide is here.

Form I-131F.

Additional information.

Hope you find this information helpful!

If you need help, please email to schedule a consultation or use our online scheduler.

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Humanitarian Parole Process Paused for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

8/14/2024

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Parole Process Paused for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

The Department of Homeland Security DHS has temporarily paused the issuance of advance travel authorizations (ATAs) for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan beneficiaries while it reviews the supporter application process.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it continues to accept Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, but no requests will be confirmed until the review of the supporter application process is complete.

“Beneficiaries who have already received an ATA should check their myUSCIS account for updates before making travel arrangements and prior to travel. Individuals with a valid ATA are permitted to travel. ATA processing will restart as soon as possible once this thorough review concludes,” USCIS said.

The U.S. government may grant advance travel authorization to up to 30,000 noncitizens each month to seek parole on a case-by-case basis under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Effective May 17, 2023, under the new review process, USCIS randomly selected about half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, regardless of filing date, from the entire pending workload to review. We will review the other half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A based on when the case was submitted under the first-in, first-out method, which prioritizes the oldest Forms I-134A for review. This is intended to maintain a meaningful and equitable opportunity for all beneficiaries of a Form I-134A to move forward through the process and seek advance travel authorization.

Eligible beneficiaries must:

Have a supporter in the United States;
Undergo and clear robust security vetting;
Meet other eligibility criteria; and
Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.

USCIS posted here.

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If you have a I-485 Green Card pending and plan to travel abroad, you need an Advance Parole travel document

8/3/2024

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Those who have filed an I-485 application adjustment of status must obtain advance parole before they travel outside the US while their I-485 application. Section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, at his or her discretion, to “parole into the United States temporarily under such conditions as he [or she] may prescribe only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit any alien applying for admission into the United States.” Travelling outside the US without advance parole will result in abandonment of the application. It may also result in a finding of inadmissibility at the port of entry.

Nonimmigrants who are in H-1B or L-1 status do not need to apply for advance parole and can return to the US on the underlying H-1B or L-1 visa in their passports. Those in H-1B or L nonimmigrant status who travel on advance parole may be paroled to resume in H-1B and L status under USCIS policy established in the USCIS so called Cronin memo. Nonimmigrants in valid V-1 or V-2/V-3 status or K-3/K-4 status who have an I-485 application pending also do not need advance parole.

It is thus important for the adjustment applicants to obtain advance parole BEFORE departing the US by filing Form I-131. The processing times for an advance parole can be very long and can vary from one USCIS service center to another. These processing times are published on https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. They are not exact processing times as the USCIS qualifies them by stating that 80% of cases are completed within the published processing time. Hence, the processing time may take longer or shorter than the published processing time.

Advance parole can also be granted to one who has been paroled pursuant to INA 212(d)(5) or to one who has been granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The instructions to From I-131 provides details under which travel permission is granted under various situations. It should also be noted that if an individual who has been unlawfully present and is subject to the 3 or 10 year bar upon departing the United States, leaving the US under advance parole is not considered a departure for triggering the 3 or 10 year bars under INA 212(a)(9)(B) pursuant to Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly.

Expedited Processing of Advance Parole:

The USCIS has published criteria at https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/expedite-requests to expedite the processing of a number of applications including the I-131 application for advance parole. These include

Severe financial loss to a company or person, provided that the need for urgent action is not the result of the petitioner’s or applicant’s failure to timely file the benefit request or to timely respond to any requests for evidence;
Emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations;
Nonprofit organization (as designated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)) whose request is in furtherance of the cultural or social interests of the United States;
Government interests, including cases identified by the government as urgent because they involve the public interest, public safety, national interest, or national security interests; and
Clear USCIS error.

The USCIS has included certain travel related requests under “emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations” as follows:

Expedited processing of a travel document may be warranted when there is an unexpected need to travel abroad, for example, for a funeral. Expedited processing of a travel document may also be warranted when there is a pressing or critical need to travel outside the United States for a planned event, but processing times prevent USCIS from issuing the travel document by the planned date of departure. When there is a request to expedite processing of a travel document for a planned event, we will consider whether the applicant timely filed Form I-131 or timely responded to a request for evidence.

Unfortunately, a desire to travel solely for vacation generally does not meet the definition of a pressing or critical need to travel.

The best way to contact USCIS is by contacting the customer support number at 800-375-5283 once the I-131 receipt notice has been issued with the appropriate case number. There are other suggested ways too, set forth at https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter in addition to calling the telephone number such as contacting USCIS’s chatbot, Emma. Submitting documents in support of the request in the USCIS online account is also required prior to contacting the USCIS.

Emergency Advance Parole:

An alternate way to request faster processing of advance parole is by requesting an emergency appointment if there is a pressing need to travel in less than 15 days. See https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/greencardprocesses/traveldocuments/emergencytravel for further details. The USCIS includes the following examples that qualify for emergency parole:

An applicant who has a pressing or critical need to travel to obtain medical treatment in a limited amount of time.
An applicant who has a pressing or critical need to travel due to the death or grave illness of a family member or close friend.
An applicant who timely applied for a travel document and requested expedited processing, but their case remains pending, and they now must travel within 15 days for a pressing or critical professional, academic, or personal commitment.

The emergency advance parole will be issued for only 30 days although the previously filed I-131 application will continue to process even if the emergency parole is granted for 30 days. The applicant must have gone through the biometrics procedure. Even if there is already a pending I-131 application that was previously filed, the requestor must submit a completed I-131 application during the appointment at the local USCIS office along with supporting documentation that is listed under the USCIS’s above mentioned expedited criteria.

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How to Apply for Re-Parole for Up To Two Years for Ukrainians in the USA

2/28/2024

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Eligible Ukrainians Can Now Apply for Re-Parole - Form I-131 with a Filing Fee.

С 11 октября 2024 новая форма заявления I-131 заменила старую форму (edition date 06/17/2024). Новая форма I-131 имеет 14 страниц вместо 5, и много новых опций. Будьте внимательны выбирая опцию для Украины как онлайн так и в бумажной форме. Смотрите на странице 4 в бумажной форме. Госпошлина за эту опцию re-parole for Ukraine $630 (или на $50 дешевле, если подается онлайн).

Начиная с 27 февраля 2024 украинцы, находящиеся в США по гуманитарному паролю в связи с войной, могут подать заявление на продление пароля (форма I-131 с уплатой госпошлины). ПОСЛЕ того, как пароль продлят, если его утвердят, заявитель может подать заявление на новое разрешение на работу.

Важно подать ДО истечения пароля, но можно подать и позже Важно подавать не вместе, а по отдельности: 1) Form I-131, 2) Form I-765 - после утверждения I-131.

Продление пароля полезно тем украинцам и членам их семей - кто НЕ получили ТПС, у кого нет заявления на грин карту на рассмотрение, и нет других вариантов для лагализации для легализации. Это важно сделать если вы хотите оставаться в легальном статусе, и у вас нет других вариантов.

Предпочтительно подавать онлайн.

Каждый член семьи подает отдльно со своего аккаунта. Заявления не зависят друг от друга.

Пароль продлят на два года с даты истечения текущего пароля.

Утверждение не гарантировано.

Только ЕСЛИ утвердят пароль,можно будет подавать на разрешение на работу по этой категории. Или вы можете подавать на разрешение на работу по ТПС, если у вас есть статус TPS/

Помните, что с 1 апреля 2024 вступают в силу новые госпошлины.

Начиная с 27 февраля 2024 украинцы, находящиеся в США по гуманитарному паролю в связи с войной, могут подать заявление на продление пароля (форма 131 с уплатой госпошлины, которая в настоящее время 575). ПОСЛЕ того, как пароль продлят, если его продлят, заявитель сможет подать заявление на новое разрешение на работу.
Важно подать ДО истечения пароля. Важно подавать не вместе, а по отдельности: 1) Form I-131 - госпошлина $575, 2) Form I-765 - после утверждения I-131. Госпошлина $410.
С 1 апреля 2024 вступают в силу новые госпошлины.

Beginning Feb. 27, 2024, certain Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members displaced by the war and paroled into the United States on or after Feb. 11, 2022, will be able to apply for a new period of parole (also known as re-parole) for up to two years. USCIS will consider these applications on a discretionary, case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. To apply for re-parole, eligible applicants should submit Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with the appropriate filing fee through a USCIS online account to save time and reduce errors commonly found on paper-filed forms that can lead to delays. Once approved for re-parole, Ukrainians can then apply for an initial or renewal Employment Authorization Document with USCIS.

To be eligible for re-parole under this process, you must demonstrate the following:

That you are a Ukrainian citizen or their immediate family member who was paroled into the United States on or after Feb. 11, 2022;
That there are continued urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit for issuance of a new period of parole, including the urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit factors identified above, as well as any additional factors;
That you warrant a favorable exercise of discretion;
That you are physically present in the United States;
That you have complied with the conditions of the initial parole; and
That you clear biographic and biometric background checks.

You can find your initial date of parole on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
It is important that you file your application for re-parole before the end of your initial parole period. If circumstances allow, USCIS recommends filing your application for re-parole no later than 60 days before the last day of your initial parole period.

Required Documents
You must use Form I-131 to request re-parole. You can submit Form I-131 online or on paper by mail. You do not need to file Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, or Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, as a supporter is not required for re-parole. Regardless of whether you apply for re-parole online or on paper by mail, you must provide documentation to confirm your initial period of parole and identity, including your photo, name, and date of birth. Examples include:

Form I-94;
A copy of both sides of your USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if you applied for and received one;
A copy of both sides of your U.S. government-issued driver’s license or U.S. government- issued ID, if you applied for and received one; or
A copy of the identity (biographical) page of your passport and copies of all admission and parole stamps in your passport for entries into the United States. Please note that children may be included in a parent’s Ukrainian passport; in such cases, the children’s information will not be on the identity page.

If you submit any document containing information in a foreign language to USCIS, you must include a full English language translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate and include the translator’s certification that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

Employment Authorization
If USCIS approves your application for re-parole, you can then apply separately for a new EAD, for the duration of your new period of parole, by submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to USCIS after they approve your re-parole.

If you file Form I-765 before grant of re-parole, USCIS may deny your Form I-765, and will not refund any associated fees. You can apply for an EAD through a USCIS online account.

While their new EAD application is pending, parolees who have received re-parole may be able to show their new Form I-94 (issued following the grant of re-parole) as acceptable evidence of identity and employment authorization for a period of up to 90 days from the date they are hired (or for reverification of employment eligibility when the initial EAD expires). To use the I-94 for this purpose, a parolee must have been:

Granted re-parole as a certain Ukrainian citizen or an immediate family member;
Have a most recent date of entry on or before Sept. 30, 2023; and
Have a new I-94 with “UHP” listed as the class of admission.

Within 90 days, the employee must present an unexpired EAD or unrestricted Social Security card and a List B identity document such as a state-issued driver’s license or identification card to meet the Form I-9 requirements.

Have You Moved?
As a condition of your parole, you must update your address with USCIS each time you move and within 10 days of moving. We strongly encourage you to change your address through your USCIS online account. This will help ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits from us in a timely manner and avoid possible delays.

Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to know to complete the Form I-131 for re-parole?
On the online form, this will be the first question under the first section, called “Basis of Eligibility.” In the same section you must also select “yes” to the question, “Are you applying for re-parole?”

On the paper form, this option is located in part 2, item 1.e. You also must write “Ukraine Re-Parole” at the top of the form if you file on paper and mail your form to the designated filing location.

For detailed instructions on how to apply for re-parole under this process, visit the Re-Parole Process for Certain Ukrainians webpage.

How much does it cost to apply for re-parole?
The current Form I-131 filing fee is $575. There is no cost for biometric services. If you want to request a fee waiver, you must file Form I-131 on paper. You cannot apply for re-parole online if you are submitting a fee waiver request.

Note: Our fees will be changing on April 1, 2024. Before filing, you should always check for the most up-to-date filing fee by visiting the Form I-131 page.

Do I need to apply for a new EAD to be able to continue working?
Yes. If your application for re-parole is approved, you may file Form I-765 through your USCIS online account. Do not file your Form I-765 until after we approve your re-parole application. Eligible parolees whose Form I-765 is approved will receive an EAD that they can present to their employer for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

If you are approved for re-parole, you may be able to use your updated I-94 as an acceptable identity and work authorization document for a limited time while USCIS adjudicates your Form I-765, if you were paroled on or before Sept. 30, 2023. Individuals who receive a Form I-131 approval notice showing a new period of parole should visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 website to view and print a copy of their new Form I-94. If USCIS approves your re-parole application, the updated I-94 will show a “class of admission” of “UHP.”

For parolees who are granted re-parole and whose new, unexpired Form I-94 includes a UHP class of admission and a “Most Recent Date of Entry” on or before Sept. 30, 2023, the Form I-94 is an acceptable List A receipt that shows their identity and employment authorization for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. This satisfies the Form I-9 requirement for 90 days from the date of hire (or in the case of reverification, the date employment authorization expires).

After the 90-day period, parolees must present an unexpired EAD, or unrestricted Social Security card and acceptable List B identity document from the Form I-9 Lists of Acceptable Documents (such as a state-issued driver’s license or identification card). We recommend filing Form I-765 as soon as we approve your re-parole application. USCIS will provide additional guidance to employers about completion of the Form I-9.


My first EAD is expiring soon. Will USCIS waive the filing fee for my second EAD?
No. While USCIS did not initially require a filing fee for most of the parolees who are now eligible to apply for this process, you must submit Form I-765 for your second EAD, and include the current filing fee of $410. Before you file, check for the most up-to-date filing fee by visiting the Form I-765 page.

If you want to request a fee waiver, you must file Form I-765 on paper. You cannot apply for an EAD online if you are submitting a fee waiver request.

If I request a fee waiver, will it affect my application?

No. Requesting a waiver of the Form I-765 fee does not affect the adjudication of your employment authorization.

Do I need to file any other forms to apply for re-parole?
No. You only need to file Form I-131 with the required supporting documents to apply for re-parole.

How soon can I file for re-parole?

It is important that you file your application for re-parole before the end of your initial parole period. If circumstances allow, USCIS recommends filing your application for re-parole no later than 60 days before the last day of your initial parole period. We will be prioritizing cases based on parole expiration dates.

What if my initial parole expires while my re-parole application is pending?  After your initial parole expires, you no longer are in an authorized period of stay unless you have been granted an immigration status, such as asylum or TPS, or are otherwise in an authorized period of stay, such as if you have a pending asylum, TPS, or Green Card application. We encourage you to file your re-parole application as soon as possible.

Action Items

Create your free USCIS online account today to apply for re-parole. By applying online, you can prevent common mistakes on your forms. If you already have an account, confirm that you have access to it. Through a USCIS online account, you can check the status of your case, access your notices from USCIS, communicate with us, and respond to requests for evidence. Even if you plan to apply for re-parole and for a new EAD by paper, you are still encouraged to create a USCIS online account to check on your case status and access USCIS notices.
Update your address through your USCIS online account or follow the information provided on our How to Change Your Address webpage if you are filing on paper. This will help to ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits in a timely manner.
Review and ensure completion of all attestation requirements through your USCIS online account, including:

- An attestation that you have completed vaccine requirements or are eligible for an exception to vaccine requirements for measles, polio, and the first dose of an FDA-approved or -authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a WHO-Emergency use listed (EUL) COVID-19 vaccine.
- An attestation that you received a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test, within 90 days.

Gather all required documents.
Timely apply for re-parole before your initial parole period ends.
Learn more about the benefits of filing online today.

Important Resources

How to Create a USCIS Online Account in Ukrainian
How to Create a USCIS Online Account in Russian
Request technical support with your USCIS online account.
Learn more about re-parole for certain Ukrainian citizens and non-Ukrainian immediate family members at the Re-Parole Process for Certain Ukrainians webpage.
We may have the answer to your questions on our frequently asked questions page.

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How a Person on Humanitarian Parole Can Apply for a Non-Work SSN?

1/3/2024

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Q: I came to the United States on Humanitarian Parole from Ukraine (or Venezuela, Haiti, etc). I didn't apply for a work permit yet, and I do not have an employment authorization yet. I need a SSN to apply for certain benefits. Can I apply for a SSN even though I don't have a work permit yet?

A: Yes, you can.

Parolees from several countries who have been granted humanitarian parole may be eligible to apply for a U.S. social security number. There are two potential methods.

(1) You can either apply directly to the Social Security Administration, or (2) you may apply for one when you file Form I-765 Application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
A humanitarian parolee with only a Form I-94 or a parole stamp in their passport may only apply for a non-work Social Security number (SSN). If you are applying for benefits, your local welfare or social service agency should provide you with a referral letter to the Social Security Administration explaining that the agency needs your SSN in order to process your application for benefits. With this letter, the Social Security Administration will accept your application for an SSN.
To apply for a non-work SSN directly through the Social Security Administration, fill out the application for a Social Security Card and print the application. Bring it to your nearest Social Security Administration office, along with your passport, I-94, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and the referral letter from the welfare or social services agency. You may need to make an appointment in advance at the Social Security Administration. Prepare translations of any required documents in advance.
The link for the social security card application can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
You can look up the closest Social Security Administration office at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp#officeResults
You may also apply for a social security number when you apply for your work permit, which can be provided to employers. When filling out your Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD), check boxes 14 and 15 to receive a Social Security Card. You may do this even if you previously received a non-work SSN. The information you provide on this form will then be sent to the Social Security Administration to issue you a social security card.

Once you receive your Social Security Card, please remember to sign it, and keep it in a safe place (it is not advisable to carry it on your person).

Here is a guidance from the SSA office: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211600

Here is an application for a work permit, which can be filed online at USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765

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Effective October 1 2023 Expedited Approval of a Work Permit for Parolees and EAD Valid for 5 years

9/26/2023

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Starting October 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it will implement expedited processing of some Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications and begin issuing some EADs with longer validity times in an effort to help qualified immigrants gain access to work authorization more quickly.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will prioritize EAD applications filed by parolees who have scheduled an appointment through the CBP One mobile app in an effort to reduce the processing time for these applications from 90 days to 30 days.

USCIS will also reduce the EAD processing times for EADs based on CBP One parole as well as the Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan parole programs. The stated goal is to bring down processing times from 90 to 30 days.

In an effort to improve the application process overall, USCIS is increasing the maximum validity period of initial and renewal EADs to five (5) years for certain applicants, including refugees and asylees, asylum and green card applicants. This change will reduce the need for EAD renewal applications and streamline the EAD application and production process.