# U4U and TPS for Ukrainians in 2026: Re-Parole, TPS Ukraine and Work Permits

U4U is closed to new sponsors since Jan 2025. How to file for re-parole, where TPS Ukraine stands after Oct 19, 2026, work permits and H.R. 1 fees.

U4U (Uniting for Ukraine) and TPS for Ukrainians are two separate protections, and right now they stand in different places. U4U is closed to new applicants: USCIS paused Form I-134A, the supporter request, on January 28, 2025. People already here on parole can ask for re-parole on Form I-131. TPS for Ukraine was designated through October 19, 2026. No decision on its future has been announced yet, and until it is, Ukrainians with TPS keep their protection and work authorization.

Every date and fee below was checked on October 28, 2026 on uscis.gov and in the Federal Register.

## Uniting for Ukraine: is it open to new applications

U4U ran on sponsors. A supporter in the US filed Form I-134A online, and once it was confirmed, a Ukrainian could be considered for parole into the country.

On January 28, 2025 USCIS paused acceptance of Form I-134A. It cited the January 20, 2025 executive order "Securing Our Borders," which calls for a review of all categorical parole processes. The pause lasts until that review is done. USCIS gives no restart date, and as of October 28, 2026 none has been posted.

A person on parole has not been formally admitted to the US under immigration law. Under USCIS rules parole ends when the parole period on your I-94 runs out, when you leave the US, when you acquire an immigration status, or when DHS terminates it. The date that matters most is the "Parole Until" date on your I-94.

## U4U re-parole: who qualifies and when to file

Since February 27, 2024 USCIS has accepted re-parole requests and decides them case by case. Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members paroled in on or after February 11, 2022 may apply. Per the [USCIS re-parole page](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine/re-parole-process-for-certain-ukrainian-citizens-and-their-immediate-family-members), you must be physically present in the US, have complied with your first parole, pass biographic and biometric checks, still have urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit, and merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

**When to file.** No earlier than 180 days before your current parole ends. File earlier and USCIS may reject or deny the request without refunding the fee, and an early filing is not decided any faster. File before your parole expires, or you risk accruing time in unlawful status.

**How to file.** [Form I-131](https://www.uscis.gov/i-131) can be filed online or on paper. The current USCIS table lists Ukrainians paroled on or after February 11, 2022 (Part 1, item 10.C) as eligible to file online. A fee waiver cannot be requested online; it needs a paper filing with Form I-912. USCIS changed the paper I-131 filing addresses on October 7, 2026, and accepts forms sent to the old address if postmarked by November 9, 2026. Parolees must also complete the vaccination and tuberculosis screening attestations in their USCIS online account.

**Is it paused?** As of October 28, 2026 the USCIS re-parole pages for Ukrainians do not mention a pause, and the Form I-131 page, updated October 7, 2026, still describes this filing. USCIS does not promise a decision date; check the Processing Times page on its site for current figures.

**Travel.** On August 13, 2026 the Board of Immigration Appeals decided Matter of Delcarmen-Lara: leaving the US, even with an advance parole document, now counts as a departure for the unlawful presence bars. If you have any gap in status, talk to a lawyer before any trip abroad.

## TPS Ukraine: dates, who qualifies and the extension

TPS (Temporary Protected Status) is designated for a whole country: its nationals who meet the dates can apply. No sponsor is needed. Ukraine was designated for TPS in 2022, and the designation was then extended.

| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| First TPS designation | April 19, 2022 |
| Current designation (redesignation) | October 20, 2023 |
| Continuous residence in the US since | August 16, 2023 |
| Continuous physical presence since | October 20, 2023 |
| Initial registration | August 21, 2023 to April 19, 2025 |
| Re-registration for current holders | January 17 to March 18, 2025 |
| Designated through | October 19, 2026 |

Dates checked October 28, 2026 on uscis.gov and in the Federal Register (90 FR 5936).

The last extension was published January 17, 2025: 18 months, from April 20, 2025 to October 19, 2026. As of October 28, 2026 we found no newer Federal Register notice on Ukraine TPS. The [USCIS TPS Ukraine page](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-ukraine) says an announcement will be made at the appropriate time, and that until then Ukrainians under TPS keep their protection, including work authorization. Watch that page; any new re-registration or end date will appear there and in the Federal Register.

TPS is filed on Form I-821, online or on paper, and Form I-765 can go with it. Paper filings go to the Chicago or Phoenix lockbox depending on your state.

## U4U vs TPS: the difference

| | U4U parole | TPS Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Permission to be in the US until the I-94 date | Protection for nationals of a designated country |
| New applicants | I-134A paused since Jan 28, 2025 | Initial registration closed Apr 19, 2025 |
| Extension | Re-parole on Form I-131 | DHS decision for the whole country |
| Work | UHP I-94 for up to 90 days, then an EAD | EAD on Form I-765 |

Each has its own end date, form and fee. If you hold both, track both dates.

## Ukrainian parolee work permit, EAD and fees

Ukrainians whose I-94 shows class of admission "UHP" and a most recent entry on or before September 30, 2024 are authorized to work by virtue of their parole, under the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024. An unexpired I-94 is an acceptable Form I-9 List A receipt, but only for 90 days from the hire date. Use that time to get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

After re-parole is approved, file a new I-765. Do not file it before the I-131 approval notice arrives, or USCIS may deny it and keep the fee. A parole EAD renewal, category (c)(11), needs proof that your parole is current. USCIS advises filing EAD renewals at least 90 days before the card expires. That matters more now: since October 30, 2025 renewals in certain categories no longer get an automatic extension while pending, and DHS made that rule final on October 14, 2026.

For TPS Ukraine, USCIS issued EADs valid to October 19, 2026, and says it sends notices by mail and electronically extending certain older cards to that date.

H.R. 1 added separate fees. They are paid on top of the regular form fee in the [G-1055 fee schedule](https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055) and cannot be waived.

| H.R. 1 fee | Amount, filings postmarked on or after Oct 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Initial parole EAD (1 year) | $570 |
| Parole EAD renewal (1 year) | $280 |
| Re-parole EAD | $280 |
| Initial TPS EAD (1 year or end of TPS) | $570 |
| TPS EAD renewal (1 year) | $280 |
| TPS fee on Form I-821 | $520 |
| Immigration Parole Fee | $1,050 |

Fees checked October 28, 2026 in the Federal Register (91 FR 62540) and on uscis.gov. They are adjusted for inflation every year. USCIS rejects filings without the correct fee.

The Immigration Parole Fee is charged to anyone paroled into the US who does not meet one of the exceptions in the law. Per the [DHS notice of October 16, 2025](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/16/2025-19564/immigration-parole-fee-required-by-hr-1-reconciliation-bill) (90 FR 48317), it applies each time parole is granted, including re-parole. It is not paid when you file: before deciding a re-parole request, USCIS sends a notice with payment instructions and a deadline, and grants parole only after the fee is paid. If it is not paid on time, the request is denied.

With an EAD you can apply for a Social Security number; see our [SSN guide](/en/immigration/how-to-get-ssn-usa).

## Benefits for Ukrainian parolees: health coverage

HealthCare.gov lists TPS among lawfully present statuses, and parole for at least one year as a "qualified noncitizen" category, which matters for Medicaid and CHIP. But per the [HealthCare.gov page](https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/), starting January 1, 2027 Marketplace savings are limited to lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants and COFA migrants. Parole and TPS are not on that list, so budget for full price when choosing a 2027 plan. More in our [Medicaid and Obamacare guide](/en/immigration/medicaid-obamacare-for-immigrants).

## If your parole is expiring

1. Find the "Parole Until" date on your I-94.
2. Count back 180 days: from that day you can file I-131 for re-parole.
3. If you have TPS, follow the TPS Ukraine page separately. Re-parole does not replace it.
4. File the parole EAD only after re-parole is approved.
5. Do not leave the US until a lawyer has looked at your trip.

If you fear returning to Ukraine, asylum may be an option; see the [asylum guide](/en/immigration/asylum-usa-russians).

**When to see a lawyer:** your parole has already expired, you had an I-131 or I-765 denial, you have an arrest or conviction, or you are weighing asylum or travel. Russian-speaking immigration attorneys are listed in our [lawyer directory](/en/directory/lawyers).

Next step: look up "Parole Until" on your I-94 and put the date 180 days before it in your calendar.

## Questions people ask

### Can I still come to the US through Uniting for Ukraine?

Not as a new applicant. USCIS paused Form I-134A, the supporter request that started every Uniting for Ukraine case, on January 28, 2025 under the "Securing Our Borders" executive order. As of October 28, 2026 USCIS has not announced a date for accepting new requests again.

### When should a Ukrainian parolee file for re-parole?

File Form I-131 no earlier than 180 days before your current parole ends and before it expires. USCIS may reject or deny a request filed too early without refunding the fee. Your parole end date is the "Parole Until" date on your Form I-94.

### What happens to TPS Ukraine after October 19, 2026?

USCIS says an announcement on Ukraine TPS will be made at the appropriate time and that until then Ukrainians under TPS keep their protection and work authorization. As of October 28, 2026 there was no new Federal Register notice. Updates will appear on the USCIS TPS Ukraine page.

### How much does a parolee work permit cost?

For filings postmarked on or after October 16, 2026, the H.R. 1 fee for an initial parole EAD is $570, and $280 for a renewal or a re-parole EAD. These fees are paid on top of the regular Form I-765 fee in the USCIS G-1055 fee schedule and cannot be waived.

### Can Ukrainian parolees or TPS holders get Obamacare savings in 2027?

Per HealthCare.gov, starting January 1, 2027 Marketplace savings are available only to lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants and COFA migrants. Parole and TPS holders are not on that list, so a 2027 plan will have to be paid without savings.


## Sources

- [USCIS: Update on Form I-134A (Uniting for Ukraine supporter requests paused)](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine)
- [USCIS: Re-Parole Process for Certain Ukrainian Citizens and Their Immediate Family Members](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine/re-parole-process-for-certain-ukrainian-citizens-and-their-immediate-family-members)
- [USCIS: Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records](https://www.uscis.gov/i-131)
- [USCIS: Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian_parole)
- [USCIS: Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Ukraine](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-ukraine)
- [Federal Register: Extension of the Designation of Ukraine for TPS (90 FR 5936)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/17/2025-00771/extension-of-the-designation-of-ukraine-for-temporary-protected-status)
- [Federal Register: Extension and Redesignation of Ukraine for TPS (88 FR 56872)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/21/2023-17875/extension-and-redesignation-of-ukraine-for-temporary-protected-status)
- [USCIS: Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status](https://www.uscis.gov/i-821)
- [USCIS: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization](https://www.uscis.gov/i-765)
- [USCIS: Fee Schedule (G-1055)](https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055)
- [Federal Register: Fiscal Year 2027 Inflation Adjustment to H.R. 1 Immigration Fees (91 FR 62540)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/01/2026-20187/fiscal-year-2027-inflation-adjustment-to-hr-1-immigration-fees)
- [Federal Register: Removal of Automatic Extensions for Certain Employment Authorization Documents](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20955/removal-of-automatic-extensions-for-certain-employment-authorization-documents)
- [USCIS I-9 Central: Ukrainian Employees with Parole](https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-related-news/ukrainian-employees-with-parole-august-06-2024)
- [HealthCare.gov: Coverage for lawfully present immigrants](https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/)
- [Federal Register: Immigration Parole Fee Required by HR-1 Reconciliation Bill (90 FR 48317)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/16/2025-19564/immigration-parole-fee-required-by-hr-1-reconciliation-bill)

Page: https://www.russiansinusa.com/en/immigration/u4u-tps-ukrainians
Facts checked: 2026-10-28