Update 4/4/2022: New York Governor Hochul has launched a new website with resources for the Ukrainian people and their allies in NY. The resource includes the contact information for free legal assistance (NYS New Americans Hotline) and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Airbnb offers free short-term housing options in neighboring countries like Poland and Romania for Ukrainian refugees. Elon Musk provides the Starlink for Ukrainian citizens who were forced to stay underground in the face of attack. These are a few examples of how private entities are standing up to support the Ukrainian people. How about higher education institutions and groups in the U.S.?
MIT cut off its partnership with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Russia criticizing the invasion of the Russian government in Ukraine. International education associations in the U.S. like NAFSA had signed the petition to stop Russian military action. The Department of State also announced how Ukrainian students who plan to study in the U.S. can transfer pending cases to different U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
What is more, the Biden administration published Executive Order 14065 and suspended U.S. Entry for certain individuals who supports Russian recognition of DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.
SEVIS SAVVY would like to be a part of the community to support students in need as well. In that sense, this blog post will list all the support resources for Ukrainian students who plan to study in the U.S. and who are studying in the U.S.
Related blog post: 2021 Resources for Afghan refugee students, scholars
Contents
- Consular services for Ukrainian students
- COVID 19 vaccination waiver for certain Ukrainian citizens
- Funding resources for Ukrainian scholars, researchers and students
- Immigration assistance for students at risk
Consular services for Ukrainian students
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv suspended all of its services on February 13, 2022. Visa applicants who had filed the visa case with the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv may want to transfer the processing to another U.S. Embassy in nearby country. The U.S. federal website, travel.state.gov., is advising students on the transfer process:
- Reach out to U.S. Embassies and Consulates where students wish to transfer the case. The entire list of U.S. Embassies and Consulates can be found here: https://www.usembassy.gov/
- Ask if they can initiate the case transfer as well as the required documents
If you have an immigrant visa case currently pending with U.S. Embassy Kyiv and would like to transfer processing of an immigration case to another U.S. Embassy, you must contact the receiving U.S Embassy in that country to authorize and initiate transfer. The Embassy will have a list of requirements which must be satisfied in order to begin the transfer process.
Status of Consular Services in Kyiv
COVID 19 vaccination waiver for certain Ukrainian citizens
Ukrainian students who successfully obtained visas can fly to the United States. However, what if students do not meet the vaccination requirement for international travelers?
The U.S. DHS Secretary signed on a very limited National Interest Exception and lifted the vaccine requirements for nonimmigrants:
- who are traveling with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident;
- who were physically present in Ukraine as of February 10, 2022;
- who possess valid travel documents allowing them to travel to the United States
Individuals who meet these requirements can be permitted to enter the U.S. without showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to traveling to the United States.
However, please note that this exemption is valid only until today (March 1, 2022). Any extension on this policy will be updated here. To learn about vaccination requirements for international travelers, check out the following blog post.
Related blog post: 2022 vaccine requirements and electronic I-20 for internationals
Subject to the requirements of Presidential Proclamation l0294 and the implementing Order from the CDC, such individuals will need to attest to having made arrangements to receive a COVID-19 test within three to five days of arrival in the United States, to self-quarantine for seven days, to self-isolate in the event of a positive COVID-19 test or the development ofCOVID-19 symptoms, and to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 within 60 days of arrival in the United States ifintending to stay in the United States for more than 60 days.
NATIONAL INTEREST EXCEPTION FROM PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION 10294: ADVANCING THE SAFE RESUMPTION OF GLOBAL TRAVEL DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Funding resources for Ukrainian scholars, researchers and students
If you are a current international student studying in the U.S. and need financial support, check out if your school is in IIE Network. According to its website titled Emergency Student Fund, IIE is “now accepting nominations from IIENetwork Member institutions” and schools can nominate “up to five international students who are impacted by the crisis in Ukraine.
It’s worth mentioning that students cannot nominate themselves. Ukrainian international students must be nominated by their U.S. colleges and universities.
IIE helps these students cover essential needs, including basic living expenses. We are a critical resource for students in crisis when they have no other safety net. Since 2010, IIE has awarded over 2,000 ESF grants, providing over $5 million in critical support to students from around the world.
Emergency Student Fund
Immigration assistance for students at risk
Here’s the list of legal services where refugee students can reach out and seek free to low-cost legal services:
- PARS Equality Center: https://parsequalitycenter.org/what-we-do/legal-services/
- Immigration Advocates Network: https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/
- AU Dream: https://www.wcl.american.edu/academics/experientialedu/clinical/theclinics/ijc/audream/
Hope this helps Ukrainian refugee students to find hope and continue their academic goals and dreams. All other information on immigration regulations for international students can be found on the F-1 visa information page and J-1 visa information page.
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