Has anyone else applied for the Uniting for Ukraine program?

[Traveler101 16]

41 minutes ago, Kineo said:

Not sure from where in Ukraine to where in Poland. But I know there some buses that run from Dnipro to Krakow for example. Trains from Dnipro to Krakow are 1 or 2 train changes. e.g. in Lviv.

-Kineo

They are actually coming from Dnipro and most likely to Warsaw to get a straight flight to NYC. I still have to research the airfare and what's the best and safest way. I'm thinking from Dnipro to Lviv and then to Warsaw.

[Kineo 93]

17 minutes ago, Traveler101 said:

They are actually coming from Dnipro and most likely to Warsaw to get a straight flight to NYC. I still have to research the airfare and what's the best and safest way. I'm thinking from Dnipro to Lviv and then to Warsaw.

I'm pretty sure LOT has non-stop flights.

[Mrs D. 13]

On 6/27/2022 at 9:47 PM, Maugliavus said:

One more question. Once the entry is granted for the beneficiary, how much time do they have to enter the US? 

They have 90 days to attempt entry from the date Travel Document is issued.

Upon entry, they are granted parole for 2 years.

[swmfly 45]

9 hours ago, Traveler101 said:

They are actually coming from Dnipro and most likely to Warsaw to get a straight flight to NYC. I still have to research the airfare and what's the best and safest way. I'm thinking from Dnipro to Lviv and then to Warsaw.

FYI, LOT has discounted fares for adults (-10%) and children (-30%) -- but must call the airline.

[Kineo 93]

A question came to my mind about whether Passport expiry will effect how long they will stamp the parole for. One of my beneficiaries passport expires int April 2023. From my understanding too far way to renew now. Does anyone have experience with whether they will parole for 2 years or until April 2023? If April 2023 is there a process to extend the parole once their passport is renewed?

-Kineo

[Traveler101 16]

6 hours ago, swmfly said:

FYI, LOT has discounted fares for adults (-10%) and children (-30%) -- but must call the airline.

Oh that's good to know. Thanks!

[swmfly 45]

3 hours ago, Kineo said:

A question came to my mind about whether Passport expiry will effect how long they will stamp the parole for. One of my beneficiaries passport expires int April 2023. From my understanding too far way to renew now. Does anyone have experience with whether they will parole for 2 years or until April 2023? If April 2023 is there a process to extend the parole once their passport is renewed?

-Kineo

I don't have experience with this situation -- but the I-94 granting HP will not change, so it could still be used to prove dates of parole. 

 

This is what CBP says about expiring passports and the validity of visas:

 

"If a U.S. visa has been issued on a passport that has expired, you should carry both your new passport and the expired passport containing your valid visa. There is no need to re-apply for a new visa unless the visa term has itself expired."

 

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-905?language=en_US

[jjp85 18]

My fiance just landed at JFK. It took 4 hours to get through customs. Please keep this in mind if you're buying connecting flights

 

I'll be seeing her very soon 🙂

[Traveler101 16]

49 minutes ago, jjp85 said:

My fiance just landed at JFK. It took 4 hours to get through customs. Please keep this in mind if you're buying connecting flights

 

I'll be seeing her very soon 🙂

Congrats 🎉! 

[traveler16 4]

Hi, what a great and useful thread!  So, a topic I have not seen so far:

 

Has anyone had experience with shipping parcels or goods from their home in Ukraine to the USA, and if so, what ways do you recommend?  Thank you! 

[Kineo 93]

On 7/4/2022 at 3:52 PM, traveler16 said:

Hi, what a great and useful thread!  So, a topic I have not seen so far:

 

Has anyone had experience with shipping parcels or goods from their home in Ukraine to the USA, and if so, what ways do you recommend?  Thank you! 

We've used Meest in the past. Very satisfied with their service.

-Kineo

[traveler16 4]

20 hours ago, Kineo said:

We've used Meest in the past. Very satisfied with their service.

-Kineo

Thanks much! Good to hear

[traveler16 4]

By the way, my 2 sponsorees' U4U applications were approved, dated July 5.  Apparently a few hours after being submitted on the late afternoon of July 5.  (Received the Travel Authorization Documents.)

 

But that great news comes with a process caveat.  We waited 3+ weeks in June for any USCIS reply (no reply ever came) to the message we sent through the portal's Inbox/Message Center.  IAW stated USCIS instructions in a big bold call out box:  if there was a need to correct a passport number, to send USCIS a message and then wait for a reply. 

 

Well, in the end, after 3+ weeks I gave up on waiting (egged on in part by reports of similar lags on this VJ message board).  (I could do this, because the old Ukr passport number was still valid.  It happened that a new Ukr passport was awarded by Ukr after the date that the sponsor's part of the I-134 was submitted). So we moved past the dire warning on the site that this (submitting prior to receiving the message reply) would cause delays in (or put at risk) the application process.

 

Should have been less patient and done this weeks ago, it seems.  But all's well that ends well (or is hopefully on track to end well!)

[TBoneTX 44,868]

7 hours ago, traveler16 said:

my 2 sponsorees' U4U applications were approved

What a relief!  Congratulations.

[S1ava Ukraini 1]

If your i-134 is taking more than 2 weeks, reapply. Supposed on on a Tuesday. 

 

I know for most Americans we are taught to follow the system. I tried this with no progress. Even contacting Senators and Representatives, nothing helped except reapplying. I did simplify my assets and only listed accounts. 

 

Good luck, our family arrives in less than 2 weeks.