The U.S. government announced immigration relief for Ukrainians. Because of the ongoing war, Ukrainians are eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S. for 18 months.
The U.S. designates a country for TPS based on at least one of three criteria. This criteria includes when the county experiences an ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Ukraine is currently enduring both an ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions.
Ukrainian nationals remain unable to safely return to their country. The Russian invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis. Millions of people have been forced to flee Ukraine. Damage to civilian infrastructure has left nearly a million individuals without electricity, water or access to food, basic supplies, shelter, and emergency medical services. Thus, the U.S. will allow certain eligible Ukrainian nationals to remain in the U.S. and obtain work permits.
Ukrainians eligible for TPS must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. Those who travel to the U.S. after March 1, 2022 are not eligible. The government will provide further instructions to apply for TPS and a work permit.