Has anyone else applied for the Uniting for Ukraine program?

[hutzul 4]

Our U4U beneficiaries are homesick and miss their husbands so they want to leave for good under the U4U program.  They may apply again for US Visas once the war ends along with their husbands but until then they want to go back home.   Although we have encouraged them to stay for a bit longer especially now since the war is escalating, I do understand their frustration and being torn between two places and how hard it is when families are not together but separated.  Want to make sure that they comply with requirements leaving under the U4U program to make sure that there is no impact if they would like to later apply for a Visa or even future U4U if they decide.

 

One of our beneficiaries worked last year, had W4 and W2 and filed a 2021 tax return.  The other beneficiary did not work and did not file 2021 tax return.  Not sure if that matters any when deciphering alien departure requirements for each.

[Boiler 45,467]

I have never heard of anyone doing it, now I have heard of a sailing permit, I am going to guess there is a clue in the name.

 

It seems something on the books that is never enforced

 

Wonder how long it would take to actually get one 

[Boiler 45,467]

11 minutes ago, hutzul said:

Our U4U beneficiaries are homesick and miss their husbands so they want to leave for good under the U4U program.  They may apply again for US Visas once the war ends along with their husbands but until then they want to go back home.   Although we have encouraged them to stay for a bit longer especially now since the war is escalating, I do understand their frustration and being torn between two places and how hard it is when families are not together but separated.  Want to make sure that they comply with requirements leaving under the U4U program to make sure that there is no impact if they would like to later apply for a Visa or even future U4U if they decide.

 

One of our beneficiaries worked last year, had W4 and W2 and filed a 2021 tax return.  The other beneficiary did not work and did not file 2021 tax return.  Not sure if that matters any when deciphering alien departure requirements for each.

Logically once the war is over there will be no need for U4U

[hutzul 4]

We hope and pray the war will end soon and understandably the U4U program would be cancelled.  With the recent war escalation and no negotiations to end the war there appears to be no end in sight for the war.  For our beneficiaries was just considering that they may change their minds yet again once back in Ukraine for a while and apply for U4U again if the war is still ongoing and how dangerous it becomes back home.

 

 

From the IRS website

 

When To Get a Sailing or Departure Permit

You should get your sailing or departure permit at least 2 weeks before you plan to leave. You cannot apply earlier than 30 days before your planned departure date. Do not wait until the last minute in case there are unexpected problems.

[Boiler 45,467]

I find it difficult to imagine anything would be processed that quickly 

[hutzul 4]

Agreed, IRS does not move quickly.  Possbily the intent is just to have the appropriate form(s) filed and taxes current upon departure from US.

 

 

[Mrs D. 13]

Looks like there’s hope for those who hope to stay

H.R.3911 - To provide for adjustment of status of nationals of Ukraine, and for other purposes.

[kostyaby 9]

Hey everyone. Any recent timelines for U4U applications? Our CBP Travel Authorization was submitted over a week ago and we still heard nothing. The 1-134A sponsor request took just over 3 weeks.

[Dave-n-Oksana 49]

19 hours ago, kostyaby said:

Hey everyone. Any recent timelines for U4U applications? Our CBP Travel Authorization was submitted over a week ago and we still heard nothing. The 1-134A sponsor request took just over 3 weeks.

I'm also interested in this information.  MIL is interested in visiting her Daughter's family before submitting the Adjustment of Status, and Ukrainian nationals only have a 90 stay in Turkey, so we need to determine her odds of approval before the 90 days are up.

[Boiler 45,467]

Not sure what the numbers are now but they were getting about 10,000 Humanitarian Parole applications a day so likely the whole process has been slowed.

[Strunch 0]

Our I-134A was approved last year and travel authorization issued however due to factors beyond their control our beneficiaries were unable to travel to us. Although we filed for the one time 90 day extension and were approved, this also expired. Currently our beneficiaries are able to travel to us so we filed a new I-134A, however this case was administratively closed with the following explanation:

 

"USCIS has determined that you previously filed a Form I-134A for this same beneficiary and have already received a confirmation. Therefore, USCIS is administratively closing this filing as a duplicate."

 

We filed this new I-134A after travel authorization for our original case expired because instructions stated we should file again. I contacted USCIS for a reason why this case was closed but only received the same response that it was a duplicate. We are confused on our next step. Should we file yet another I-134A? It shouldn't have been marked as duplicate as our financial information is different than last year. Perhaps we could request an additional extension to travel? Thanks for and tips or guidance. 

[uapilot 68]

51 minutes ago, Strunch said:

Our I-134A was approved last year and travel authorization issued however due to factors beyond their control our beneficiaries were unable to travel to us. Although we filed for the one time 90 day extension and were approved, this also expired. Currently our beneficiaries are able to travel to us so we filed a new I-134A, however this case was administratively closed with the following explanation:

 

"USCIS has determined that you previously filed a Form I-134A for this same beneficiary and have already received a confirmation. Therefore, USCIS is administratively closing this filing as a duplicate."

 

We filed this new I-134A after travel authorization for our original case expired because instructions stated we should file again. I contacted USCIS for a reason why this case was closed but only received the same response that it was a duplicate. We are confused on our next step. Should we file yet another I-134A? It shouldn't have been marked as duplicate as our financial information is different than last year. Perhaps we could request an additional extension to travel? Thanks for and tips or guidance. 

They've been using any reason at all to close cases.

I recently filed an extension request twice for a beneficiary, once 28 days before expiration and again 10 days after expiration, and both times, the reply was that I was making the request outside the 30 day before/after period.

It was bad during the pandemic/Trump reign, but never did they completely go against policy; it just took forever to get anything processed.

[Boiler 45,467]

Remember who you are dealing with, as a general point never give them the opportunity to screw things up.

 

Maybe this is the sort of situation when a Congressperson could help.

[gavin923 92]

1 hour ago, Strunch said:

Our I-134A was approved last year and travel authorization issued however due to factors beyond their control our beneficiaries were unable to travel to us. Although we filed for the one time 90 day extension and were approved, this also expired. Currently our beneficiaries are able to travel to us so we filed a new I-134A, however this case was administratively closed with the following explanation:

 

"USCIS has determined that you previously filed a Form I-134A for this same beneficiary and have already received a confirmation. Therefore, USCIS is administratively closing this filing as a duplicate."

 

We filed this new I-134A after travel authorization for our original case expired because instructions stated we should file again. I contacted USCIS for a reason why this case was closed but only received the same response that it was a duplicate. We are confused on our next step. Should we file yet another I-134A? It shouldn't have been marked as duplicate as our financial information is different than last year. Perhaps we could request an additional extension to travel? Thanks for and tips or guidance. 

We are dealing with almost this exact scenario.  We filed I-134 and were quickly approved in early January, but bene was unable to travel.  Filed I-134A again on May 7 after expiration of original but case was “administratively closed” in June.  Same reason - “filed as duplicate”. I cannot reach anyone by phone (absolute exercise in futility) and we cannot send a message as we have sent 2 and apparently your ability to send messages closes with 2 notes.  We are wide open to any suggestions anyone may have.

[Boiler 45,467]

40 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Maybe this is the sort of situation when a Congressperson could help.

See above