Sponsors must meet or exceed 125% of the U.S.
poverty guidelines based on their household size, which includes both the sponsor and the beneficiaries.
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The sponsor's income can come from various sources, such as employment, investment income, and non-taxable government benefits.
Sponsors are required to file a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish their eligibility.
The sponsor's household size is added to the beneficiary's family size when determining the income requirement, ensuring sufficient financial support.
Sponsors are encouraged to provide support, such as housing and transportation, but they do not have a legal obligation to host the beneficiaries.
The U4U program aims to expedite the process of providing humanitarian protection to Ukrainians displaced due to the conflict, requiring sponsors to have a clear understanding of their financial responsibilities.
Effective November 21, 2022, USCIS is exempting the Form I-765 filing fee for initial employment authorization documents (EADs) for individuals paroled into the U.S.
under the U4U program.
The fee exemption for Form I-765 filings is also available for online submissions, effective December 5, 2022.
USCIS will refund the filing fee for initial Form I-765 applications submitted by Ukrainian parolees with a class of admission of "UHP" or "DT" on their unexpired Form I-94.
Sponsors can be individuals, organizations, or businesses, as long as they meet the financial requirements and provide the necessary documentation.
The U4U program is part of the Uniting for Ukraine initiative launched by the U.S.
government on April 21, 2022, to provide a safe and orderly means for Ukrainians displaced by conflict to come to the U.S.
The U4U program allows for sponsorship of multiple individual beneficiaries, with sponsors required to file a separate Form I-134 for each beneficiary.