It is estimated that over 250,000 Ukrainians are currently in the United States on humanitarian parole. Most entered between June 2022 and November 2024 through the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, which was established in April 2022 to provide a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members to come to the United States with the financial support of a U.S. sponsor. A smaller percentage were paroled at the U.S. border in early 2022. The majority of these individuals were allowed to live in the United States for two years while in valid parole status.

In February 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) enabled a streamlined online process for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs) to apply for another grant of parole, i.e. “re-parole.” Through the “Ukrainian Re-Parole Process,” many Ukrainians were able to extend their humanitarian parole for an additional two years.

In January 2025, all humanitarian parole programs, including Uniting for Ukraine, were indefinitely suspended. On January 27, 2025, USCIS announced that it would stop accepting new applications for the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program pending the Administration’s review of all humanitarian parole programs. This means that no new sponsor applications (Form I-134a) for Ukrainians will be processed until further notice, and no new travel authorizations will be issued for Ukrainian beneficiaries to come to the United States. The suspension of parole programs also resulted in the elimination of the streamlined re-parole process for Ukrainians.

In June 2025, USCIS resumed processing re-parole and other applications filed by parolees following a 4-month pause. Although Ukrainian parolees are no longer able to access the streamlined application for Ukrainian re-parole through their USCIS online portals, they can still apply for re-parole by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records (online or by mail) and submitting all the required documentation to USCIS. Their re-parole requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis after examining their individual circumstances to determine if another grant of parole is warranted for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public interest.

Learn more about re-parole, who is eligible, how to apply, how to renew employment authorization, and recommendations for filing a strong application in our article below.


What Is Humanitarian Parole?

Humanitarian parole is an entry granted to certain non-citizens due to a compelling emergency or urgent humanitarian reasons who would otherwise be ineligible for admission to the U.S. A person can also apply for one-time entry for a specific purpose, such as obtaining medical treatment, visiting an ill family member, attending a family member’s funeral, or testifying in a U.S. court case.

Humanitarian parole allows a person to temporarily live in the U.S. without fear of deportation. However, it is important to understand that humanitarian parole does not give a person an immigration status. Thus, a person who is in the U.S. on humanitarian parole will either need to reapply for another term of parole before their current term expires, select a different legal status for which to apply, or leave the U.S.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Secretary of Homeland Security exercised his discretionary authority to allow certain Ukrainians to seek temporary parole in the United States, as well as to apply for work authorization. The extraordinary circumstances in Ukraine that supported the prior exercise of discretionary parole authority continue to exist. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has continued and has resulted in tremendous civilian casualties. USCIS will take these current extraordinary circumstances into account on a case-by-case basis in evaluating requests for re-parole.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for Re-Parole?

To be eligible for re-parole under this process, you must demonstrate all of the following:

  • That you are a Ukrainian citizen or their immediate family member who was paroled into the United States on or after February 11, 2022 through one of the following processes:
    • Paroled as a beneficiary through Uniting for Ukraine
    • Initially paroled into the United States with a DT class of admission after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and before the Uniting for Ukraine process became available
    • Re-paroled into the United States with a DA class of admission following advance parole travel abroad.
  • That there are continued urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit for you to be issued a new period of humanitarian parole.
  • That you personally warrant a favorable exercise of discretion (i.e. a new period of parole that would allow you to remain in the United States). This could be to receive necessary medical treatment, be united with family members, maintain safety for children or disabled family members, and other situations. These reasons are discussed in more detail below.
  • That you are physically present in the United States.
  • That you have complied with the conditions of your parole, including completing the health requirements for parolees, registering for the Selective Service System (males ages 18-25), and updating your address with USCIS each time you moved.
  • That you clear biographic and biometric background checks.

Does Each Person in the Family Need to Apply for Re-Parole Separately?

Yes, each individual must file their own re-parole application, regardless of age. To file online as a self-petitioner, each applicant must have their own unique email address and USCIS online account. A parent or legal guardian may create an account for their minor child if they need to submit a form on behalf of the minor.

A parent or legal guardian may complete a re-parole application for a minor under 14 years old by signing for the minor and providing evidence of the legal relationship, such as a birth certificate. A legal guardian may also sign on behalf of a mentally incompetent person of any age. If you sign for a child as their parent or legal guardian, you should sign your own name, with a notation that you are signing “for” or “on behalf of” the child. You should also include the child’s name. If a parent signs for a minor child, the parent must submit a birth certificate or adoption decree to establish the parent-child relationship

Minors may also complete the application on their own behalf, without a parent or legal guardian signing for them. Children over the age of 14 should generally sign for themselves, if they are able to do so.

USCIS will require documentation to establish a legal guardian’s authority to sign a benefit request on behalf of a child or mentally incompetent requestor. Acceptable documentation includes, but is not limited to, official letters of guardianship or other orders issued by a court or government agency legally authorized to make such appointment under the law governing the place where the child or incapacitated requestor resides.

Can Ukrainians Apply for Re-Parole from Outside of the United States?

No. In order to apply for re-parole under this process, applicants must be located inside the United States. To learn how individuals outside of the United States can apply to enter the U.S. on humanitarian parole, visit the USCIS humanitarian parole page.

When Should Eligible Ukrainians Apply for Re-Parole, and How Long will the New Parole Period Last?

It is important that you file your application for re-parole before the end of your current parole period. It is recommended that you file your application for re-parole at least 6 months before your current parole period expires to allow for lengthy processing delays. Average processing times for re-parole can range from 8 to 18 months.

If USCIS approves the application for re-parole, a new period of humanitarian parole will be granted for up to 2 years after the expiration of the current parole period. Keep in mind that 2 years is the maximum grant of re-parole; not all applicants will receive a 2-year grant.

Please note: After your parole period expires, you are no longer in a period of authorized stay unless you have been granted a different immigration status or protection (ex. TPS, asylum). Having a pending re-parole application does not create a lawful status or authorized stay. However, you may be permitted to remain in the U.S. while you have a pending asylum, TPS, or green card application, though this may not necessarily protect you from immigration enforcement. Hence, parolees are encouraged to file their re-parole applications as soon as possible.

Which Documents Are Required to Apply for Re-Parole?

Along with your Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records, you will need to submit the following documents to request re-parole:

  • Evidence that you were previously paroled into the United States.
    • This can be your Form I-94, which can be obtained on the CBP website). You can also submit a copy of both sides of your USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued on the basis of humanitarian parole.
  • An identity document with your photo, name, and date of birth.
    • This can be a copy of both sides of your U.S. government-issued driver’s license or U.S. government- issued ID, if you applied for and received one; or
    • A copy of the identity (biographical) page of your passport and copies of all admission and parole stamps in your passport for entries into the United States. Please note that children may be included in a parent’s Ukrainian passport; in such cases, the children’s information will not be on the identity page. This could be a copy of your previously issued Form I-94 or other evidence.
  • A statement explaining the urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit for a new period of parole (re-parole).
    • “Continued urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit” can include the urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit factors suggested by USCIS, as well as any additional factors that may apply to your situation. 
    • Evidence that you personally “warrant a favorable exercise of discretion” can include compelling facts about your unique circumstances that explain why you need to remain in the United States on parole. Examples include but are not limited to remaining united with family members, receiving necessary medical treatment or health services, loss of a home or safe shelter in Ukraine, elevated risk of harm in Ukraine due to personal characteristics, and maintaining safety for children or disabled family members.
  • Why a U.S. visa or other immigration status cannot be obtained, including when and where attempts were made to obtain a visa or other immigration status.
  • The length of time for which parole is requested and why the previously authorized time frame is not sufficient to accomplish the purpose of parole.
  • Evidence that supports the basis for your re-parole request.

USCIS indicates that applicants who do not submit required evidence at the time of filing their request for parole or who are asked to submit additional information will require longer processing times. Thus, it is important to include all required evidence at the time you file your re-parole application.

You do not need to file Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, or Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, since a sponsor is not required for re-parole.

If you submit any document containing information in a foreign language to USCIS, you must include a full English language translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate and include the translator’s certification that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

Note: If your name is spelled incorrectly on your current EAD based on your initial parole and you have not corrected it, you should submit Form I-131 with the correct spelling of your name. In addition, you will need to submit government-issued evidence, such as a passport, showing the correct spelling of your name. You must also include an English translation of the government-issued evidence if it is a document in a language other than English.

Note: If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or another reason, USCIS instructs applicants to file your re-parole application using your current legal name. If this is different than the name on your passport, include a copy of the documentation showing the reason for the name change, such as a court order, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or other evidence. Also, be sure to include a certified translation of any document containing information in a foreign language.

What Other Evidence Is Helpful to Submit for Re-Parole?

It may be helpful to provide additional detail and supporting evidence for your re-parole request. USCIS guidance states, “If you would like to voluntarily provide additional evidence to your case after reviewing the Guidance on Evidence for Certain Types of Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole Requests page, you may do so in your USCIS online account by selecting ‘Unsolicited Evidence.’”

Some applicants may consider including a cover letter addressed to the the attention of “USCIS Officer” or a personal statement with the following components:

  1. An introductory statement that you are writing to request re-parole for yourself and and for how long 
  2. The type of urgent situation you are facing
  3. A more detailed explanation of your urgent humanitarian reasons for why you cannot return to your home country, such as critical medical necessity or grave risk of imminent risk of violence, persecution, and death
  4. New evidence or documentation reflecting the ongoing urgency of your situation, i.e. updated medical records, new threats to their safety, or other evidence showing that your need for parole continues
  5. A brief explanation of any family ties you have in the U.S., if applicable
  6. A brief statement of how your presence in the U.S. would benefit the public, such as providing needed skills or expertise, if applicable
  7. A statement that you maintain continuing ties to your home country (such as family, property, or employment) and that you intend to return there (don’t include this if they indicate you plan to file for asylum or a long-term immigrant visa)
  8. A statement indicating all relevant documentation to support this request is included
  9. A bulleted list of attached documents, such as medical records, evidence of threats, country conditions, media reports, financial documentation, and other evidence, as well as certified translations of any documents in other languages
  10. A statement explaining your ability to support yourself financially for the duration of your stay
    • If you cannot support yourself, provide a letter from a financial supporter or organization that has agreed to provide financial support for you, along with the supporter’s financial documentation
  11. A summary requesting that USCIS grant you a new period of humanitarian parole, a reiteration of the urgency of your situation and need for humanitarian parole, your willingness to comply with any conditions imposed by USCIS, and the hope of a favorable response so that you can accomplish your stated goals or receive the necessary assistance and relief during this critical time. 
  12. A closing statement thanking the officer for considering their application and providing your contact information.

Which Factors Does USCIS Consider When Determining Whether to Grant Re-Parole?

USCIS requires applicants to show that 1) there are continued urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit for them to be issued a new period of humanitarian parole, and 2) that they personally warrant a favorable exercise of discretion (i.e. a new period of parole that would allow them to remain in the United States).

USCIS has not defined which situations are sufficient to warrant a grant of re-parole. However, USCIS has published some potential reasons for requesting humanitarian parole. In its Guidance on Evidence for Certain Types of Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole Requests, USCIS lists the most common types of parole requests and offers some well-established grounds based on traditional policy behind humanitarian parole. 

Applicants who can demonstrate a concrete urgent reason to remain in the United States may have a stronger justification for re-parole.

USCIS advises applicants as follows:

“Please provide evidence demonstrating urgent humanitarian reasons, significant public benefit, or factors that warrant a favorable exercise of discretion for re-parole. You don’t need to demonstrate that the urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit are unique to your situation, but you must establish their direct relevance to your circumstances. Evidence of general conditions in your home country will not suffice unless you clearly show their impact on you and why you require additional time in the United States.”

Some urgent humanitarian reasons could include:

  • “Requests Based on Medical Reasons”
  • “To Receive Medical Treatment in the United States”
  • “To Care For or Otherwise Provide Support to a Seriously or Terminally Ill Relative in the United States”
  • “Requesting Parole for Children”
  • “To Reunite With Family in the United States for Urgent Humanitarian Reasons”
  • “Protection from Targeted or Individualized Harm”

For some of these well-established grounds, USCIS suggests the following evidence that applicants can submit:

  • Requests Based on Medical Reasons
    • The evidence submitted should be official, where applicable. Documents should be on the official letterhead of a hospital or doctor’s office, be recent and dated, and display the doctor’s actual signature and not a stamp or signature made on the doctor’s behalf. For more information on receiving medical treatment in the United States, donating an organ to an individual in the United States, or caring for a seriously or terminally ill relative in the United States, see the applicable section below. 
  • To Receive Medical Treatment in the United States
    • Evidence supporting the nature and severity of the medical condition, including how the medical condition affects the patient’s life and the consequences to the patient if they do not receive the medical treatment.
    • Current, official dated and signed documentation from a physician in the country where the beneficiary resides who has examined the beneficiary. The documentation should provide:
      • A diagnosis and prognosis of the beneficiary’s medical condition;
      • The treatment needed to address the condition; and
      • The reason the beneficiary requires treatment in the United States, including whether the needed treatment is available and accessible in the country where the beneficiary resides or another country outside the United States.
    • Current, official, dated and signed documentation from a physician or medical facility in the United States that shows:
      • Agreement to provide specific treatment for the identified medical condition of the beneficiary;
      • The length of time the beneficiary will need to be in the United States to receive treatment as well as any necessary follow-up treatment, including if the beneficiary will require assistance post-treatment by a caregiver; and
      • The cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
    • Documentation establishing how the cost of the medical treatment (both in the hospital and as an out-patient) and any other associated costs such as medical prescriptions, therapies, equipment and transportation will be covered, whether by insurance, personal funds or other means.
    • If the individual seeking treatment in the United States is an unaccompanied child, include evidence of legal guardianship arrangements in the United States, parental or guardian authorization for the child to travel unaccompanied to the United States, and consent for the child to obtain required medical treatment. 

  • To Reunite With Family in the United States for Urgent Humanitarian Reasons
    • In some cases, urgent humanitarian reasons may be based on the fact that a family member is particularly vulnerable because of Age; Disability; or Living circumstances. In such cases, the petitioner will need to provide :
      • Evidence that demonstrates the particular vulnerability of the family member; and reasons the vulnerability cannot be addressed in the country where the family member resides.
      • Evidence identifying and supporting the urgent humanitarian reasons for the request aside from the desire for family reunification.
      • If parole is based on the asserted vulnerability of the family member living outside the United States, the petitioner must submit evidence supporting the existence of the vulnerability;
      • Statements or other documentation explaining the living conditions or circumstances of the family member; and
      • Information on other family members living in the same country or near the family member outside the United States.
    • Civil documents establishing relationships between the beneficiary and family members in the United States. (In the case of same-sex partners in countries that do not recognize such relationships, other evidence demonstrating the nature of the relationship, such as affidavits, copies of photographs, records of household members, etc.)
    • Any evidence regarding the beneficiary’s ability to adjust status after they are in the United States or any plans of the beneficiary to leave the United States.
    • Where applicable, Form I-797 receipt notice or approval notice evidencing the filing of Form I-130, Form I-129F, Form I-601, Form I-212 or other immigration benefit request.
    • Evidence of the immigration status of family members residing in the United States. 
  • Protection from Targeted or Individualized Harm
    • For parole requests based on protection from harm, the petitioner should describe the reasons in detail and provide corroborating evidence. Relevant factors may include:
      • Particular vulnerabilities of the beneficiary as well as significant family or other ties to the United States; and
      • Whether the beneficiary has family members who have been granted asylum or refugee status in the United States, but the beneficiary is not eligible as a derivative family member to join them in the United States.
      • This may include certain situations where the parolee is from a country where, because same-sex marriage is not legal, the parole beneficiary could not be the beneficiary of a Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition.
      • None of those factors alone are determining factors, but they are relevant to our consideration of all of the circumstances when we exercise discretion.
    • Examples of Relevant Evidence:
      • Documentation corroborating the claimed, specific risk of harm facing the individual. For example:
        • Reports or other documentation from a credible third-party source specifically naming the beneficiary and outlining the serious harm they face and the imminence of this harm. Credible third-party sources may include:
        • A U.S. government agency;
        • A reputable human rights organization; or
        • A media source.
      • Evidence of a USCIS grant of a protection-based immigration benefit such as asylum, refugee, or special immigrant status to an immediate family member of the beneficiary, and the family member or partner:
        • Is ineligible for derivative status; or
        • The risk of serious harm is so imminent that they cannot wait for the processing of their derivative application.
      • Evidence that the beneficiary is a member of a targeted group, including:
        • Credible third-party evidence that shows widespread targeting of the group for serious harm, such as a systematic or pervasive effort to impose serious harm against the group, and that individuals who are identified as members of that group are likely to be targeted for imminent serious harm; and
        • Reliable documentation establishing the beneficiary’s membership in the targeted group and that the beneficiary is likely to be identified as a member of the targeted group and be at risk of imminent serious harm as a result.
      • Evidence of the severity and imminence of the harm the beneficiary fears.
      • Evidence of a beneficiary’s particular vulnerabilities.
      • Evidence of the beneficiary’s living conditions, including ability to meet basic needs, to ensure they avoid harm.
      • Evidence of the lack of accessibility to relief mechanisms or protection measures other than parole, such as access to local protection mechanisms, international protection through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
      • Evidence that relocation to another part of the beneficiary’s home country or a neighboring country is not possible or would not prevent the harm the beneficiary fears.
        • If the beneficiary is outside of their home country, this may include evidence that the host country is likely to forcibly return the beneficiary to their home country or evidence that the host country is currently returning similarly situated individuals to their home country where the beneficiary would be at risk of imminent serious harm.
      • Evidence that the need for parole would be temporary in nature, such as an ability to regularize immigration status. 

The above are just a few of the recognized grounds for humanitarian parole. There could be other reasons unique to the applicant that justify a grant of re-parole.

What Is the Process to Apply for Re-Parole?

Applicants for re-parole will need to file Form I-131 to USCIS, along with all the supporting documentation. The full application package may be filed either online or by mail.

On Form I-131, applicants for re-parole must:

  • Select the basis for re-parole under Part 1, Item Numbers 10 or 11. Applicants can either:
    • Check box C in Question 10 to indicate they are applying under the “Re-parole Process for certain Ukrainian Citizens and Their Immediate Family Members Paroled Into the United States on or After February 11, 2022”, or
    • Check the box in Question 11 to indicate that they are “requesting a new period of parole, but not under a specific program or process.”
  • Complete Parts 2 – 4 and Part 8.
  • Complete Part 9 if you are requesting a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon approval of your re-parole.
  • Provide your class of admission (COA) and the most recent parole expiration date as they appear on your Form I-94.
  • Provide evidence to support re-parole, including an explanation and supporting documents demonstrating why you need an additional approved parole period.
  • If your mailing address is different from your physical address, list your mailing address in the physical address fields to ensure proper delivery of notices and other documents.
  • If a parent or legal guardian is filling out the information for their child, the parent or legal guardian must also complete the information in the “preparer” section.

After your Form I-131 is accepted, USCIS will inform you in writing of additional steps. You may be required to submit biometrics, appear for an interview, or complete an immigration medical examination and submit the results to USCIS. If you are required to submit new biometrics, USCIS will provide you the location of your designated USCIS application support center and the date and time of your appointment. Note that if you do not attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny your application.

If USCIS approves your re-parole, you will be issued a new Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record as evidence of your re-parole.

Should Applicants Select “Ukrainian Re-Parole” or “Re-Parole Not Under a Program or Process” on Form I-131?

There is some debate as to whether Ukrainians should apply for “Ukrainian Re-Parole” (by checking box C in Question 10) or request a new period of parole “not under a specific program or process” (by checking the box in Question 11). Since the official re-parole guidance for Ukrainians has not been updated since October 2024, there is no definitive answer as to which basis for re-parole is more advantageous.

Recently, numerous applicants were granted re-parole who had selected “Ukrainian Re-Parole” on their Form I-131. With that said, there could be individual circumstances to consider when determining the appropriate basis for a re-parole request. For example, applicants should confirm their eligibility for “Ukrainian Re-Parole” under the previously published USCIS guidelines. Those Ukrainians and their family members who were not paroled through one of the designated processes or who lack eligibility for “Ukrainian Re-Parole” due to another reason may need to apply for re-parole “not under a specific program or process.”

From a regulatory perspective, all parole and re-parole programs remain indefinitely suspended, including Uniting for Ukraine (U4U). Moreover, it is the current administration’s policy to only grant re-parole on a case-by-case basis. While each re-parole determination is made individually, some USCIS officers may be hesitant to grant re-parole under a program until it is resumed, particularly if applicants cannot establish a compelling reason for re-parole independently.

Again, there is no definitive answer or guarantee of success through either method. Parolees are advised to seek legal counsel to determine the best strategies for filing their individual re-parole applications.

Is There a Fee to Apply for Re-Parole?

As of September 2025, the following are the filing fees to request re-parole via Form I-131:

  • $580 if filing online
  • $630 if filing by mail

Individuals who believe they are eligible for a fee waiver may file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver with their Form I-131 applications. Along with Form I-912, they must submit the required evidence of their inability to pay the filing fee.

Please note: Applicants requesting re-parole under the “Ukrainian Re-Parole Process” cannot request a fee waiver online if you are filing Form I-131 online. They must file their fee waiver application by mail.

Applicants requesting re-parole “not under a specific program or process” may submit a fee waiver application online with their I-131.

For more information about fee waivers, visit www.uscis.gov/feewaiver.

If you are also requesting renewal of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with your re-parole application, you will need to add these fees to your Form I-131 fee:

  • $470 if filing online
  • $520 if filing by mail
  • Plus additional filing fee of $275 that must be paid separately (cannot be waived)

Note that you can also file a separate Form I-765 to request a new EAD.

Is It Necessary to File a New I-131 to Request Re-Parole if You Already Hold or Have Applied for an Advance Parole Document?

Yes. USCIS will not process the same I-131 Form for more than one type of request. USCIS will route a Form I-131 request for re-parole to a separate processing center than a Form I-131 request for an advance travel document. Therefore, individuals who previously filed Form I-131 in order to request an advance travel document must file a new Form I-131 to apply for re-parole.

How Long Does It Take to Process a Re-Parole Request, and Can It Be Expedited?

At this time, USCIS is unable to predict how long the processing time will take for re-parole applications. Depending on the regional processing center, average processing times can range from 8 to18 months. USCIS has indicated that filing online can help reduce the processing time in general and will provide faster access to notices. Also, filing an incomplete application or failing to include adequate evidence to support re-parole may further delay processing. Thus, applicants are urged to submit all requested documents and certified translations when they file Form I-131.

Individuals whose parole has already expired or whose re-parole application has been pending for over 10 months are strongly encouraged to submit an expedite request if eligible.

USCIS may expedite Form I-131 if it meets certain criteria. Note that expedited processing is reserved for certain limited circumstances. To file an expedite request, applicants would likely need to show either severe financial loss or an urgent humanitarian situation.

Severe financial loss could include job loss or loss of critical benefits. Parolees who are supporting children or other dependents may provide this information as well.

An urgent humanitarian situation could be an illness, disability, death of a family member or close friend, or extreme living conditions. Note that USCIS considers parole to involve an urgent humanitarian situation by its nature, so those seeking to expedite their re-parole application will need to show a truly compelling reason to justify the expedite request.

More information on expedite requests can be found here:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request

How Can Eligible Parolees Renew their Employment Authorization?

There are two ways to request a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) based on re-parole:

  • Applicants may request a new EAD directly on their re-parole application by completing Part 9 of Form I-131 and checking the box to indicate “I am requesting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon approval of my new period of parole (re-parole) selected under Part 1.”
    • Requesting a new EAD on Form I-131 with re-parole may result in faster processing, since USCIS does not require you to wait until your re-parole is approved to request an EAD renewal. However, applicants who request a new EAD on their re-parole application may not receive a separate receipt number for their EAD processing, which may make it more difficult to obtain EAD status updates.
    • If you request a new EAD on Form I-131 but your re-parole is denied, you will not be refunded the EAD renewal fees.
  • Alternatively, applicants may file a separate Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
    • Applicants who file Form I-765 separately can only request a new EAD after their re-parole is approved. This means they will not need to pay for an EAD renewal when they file their re-parole application but will only pay the extra fees when they file Form I-765.
    • They will receive a separate receipt number to track their EAD renewal.
    • Note: If you already requested a new EAD with your re-parole application in Part 9 of Form I-131, do NOT file a separate Form I-765, as USCIS will deny your Form I-765.

The filing fees to renew your EAD based on re-parole are:

  • $470 if filing online
  • $520 if filing by mail
  • Plus additional filing fee of $275 that must be paid separately (cannot be waived)

Individuals who believe they are eligible for a fee waiver may file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver with their Form I-765 applications. Along with Form I-912, they must submit the required evidence of their inability to pay the filing fee.

If USCIS approves your EAD renewal, your parole-based employment authorization will be valid for the duration of your new period of parole.

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This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. By reading this, you agree that this information is not a substitute for legal counsel and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Please note that we are not able to offer direct filing assistance or personalized legal advice through this forum. Please consult a qualified attorney to discuss your own situation and to obtain assistance with specific matters. If you do not have an immigration attorney, you may try contacting an attorney listed on this page: https://ukrainetaskforce.org/legal-assistance-providers/


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