NPZ Immigration Law Blog

The Department of State is not offering visa services in Ukraine at this time. We continue to encourage U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance in Ukraine to fill out our online form.

The Department of State is sharing the information below to further clarify visa options and outline alternatives to visas that Ukrainians may consider. It is important to note that a visa is not a viable way to achieve refugee resettlement in the United States.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Nonimmigrant visas are for temporary stays in the United States. They are not the appropriate tool to begin an immigrant, refugee, or resettlement process. If you apply for a nonimmigrant visa but are unable to demonstrate intent to leave the United States after a defined period in order to return to a residence abroad, a consular officer will refuse your application. All B1/B2 visa applicants are assumed to be intending immigrants—and therefore ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa—unless they can establish otherwise. Nonimmigrant visa applicants may apply at any embassy or consulate where they are physically present and where appointments are available. A full list of embassies and consulates is available here: https://www.usembassy.gov/. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may face extended visa interview wait times at some Embassies and Consulates. Appointment wait times are available at U.S. Visas (state.gov). Once an interview appointment is made, applicants will have the ability to request an expedited appointment, but must describe the unique circumstances that justify such a request.

Link here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/information-for-nationals-of-Ukraine.html