From February 27, 2024, certain Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members displaced by the Russian invasion and paroled into the United States on or after February 11, 2022, will be able to apply for a new period of parole (also known as re-parole) for up to two years.
- Eligible applicants are encouraged to 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.
- USCIS will consider these applications on a discretionary, case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
- Once approved for re-parole, Ukrainians can then apply for an initial or renewal Employment Authorization Document with USCIS.
Parole Eligibility
To be eligible for parole, individuals must demonstrate:
- 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.
Individuals can find their initial date of parole on their Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Applicants must file for re-parole before the end of their 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
- Form I-131 may be submitted online or on paper by mail.
- Applicants 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.
- Applicants must provide documentation to confirm their initial period of parole and identity, including their photo, name, and date of birth. Examples include:
- Form I-94;
- A copy of both sides of the USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if the applicant has received one;
- A copy of both sides of the U.S. government-issued driver’s license or U.S. government- issued ID, if the applicant has received one; or
- A copy of the identity (biographical) page of the passport and copies of all admission and parole stamps in the passport for entries into the United States.
If submitting documents in a foreign language to USCIS, the document must be accompanied by a certified translation from the foreign language to English.
Employment Authorization
After USCIS approves the request for re-parole, the individual can then apply separately for a new EAD by submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Individuals who apply for an EAD before granted re-parole may have their Form I-765 denied, and USCIS will not refund the fees.
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).
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.