The City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) stands with our Ukrainian American neighbors and the people of Ukraine.
Our hearts break for the innocent lives irreparably harmed by this senseless military invasion. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn Russia’s unprovoked aggression.
Our office continues to support community calls to increase the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees and to extend protections to Ukrainians currently in the U.S.
, such as designating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Ukraine.
OIRA has compiled information that may be helpful for Ukrainian nationals and for U.S. citizens in Ukraine:
For Ukrainian Nationals with Relatives in the Seattle Area
How to Apply for Refugee Status
If you are a Ukrainian citizen currently located outside the U.S. who would like to apply for refugee status, you will need to connect with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or a designated non-governmental organization (NGO) so they can be referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). You may also visit a U.S. Embassy in a neighboring country. However, you will not be able to complete the application there. The embassy officials may refer you to local UNHCR-affiliated officials. The federal-level State Department oversees refugee processes. You can find more information here: state.gov/refugee-admissions/.
How to Apply for Asylum
If you are a Ukrainian citizen able to travel to a U.S. port of entry, such as an airport or land border station in the U.S., you can present yourself for asylum before U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. Immigration law allows individuals to apply for asylum in the United States who are fleeing their country and seeking protection based on “persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” The federal-level department U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees asylum processes. You can find more information here: uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees.
Travel to the U.S. as Ukrainian Nationals
Consular services are no longer available at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. According to the U.S. State Department, applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas may apply in any country in which they are physically present and where there are appointments available. Each U.S. Embassy has specific application procedures, thus you should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you wish to apply directly. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates is available at usembassy.gov/.
For U.S. Citizens in Ukraine
Embassy Support to U.S. Citizens Departing Ukraine
- U.S. citizens in Ukraine should complete the online crisis intake form at cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake. Please note this MUST be filled out by the person in Ukraine.
- U.S. citizens seeking to depart Ukraine can also call 1-606-260-4379 (overseas number) or 1-833-741-2777 (U.S. number) for immediate assistance or by emailing [email protected].
- For the latest alerts and messages to U.S. citizens in Ukraine, please visit ua.usembassy.gov/.
- All U.S. citizens should enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov/step/
Information for U.S. Citizens Departing by Land
The U.S. State Department encourages all those traveling by land from Ukraine to cross at the border crossings. Below is information on entry to neighboring countries.
- Hungary: U.S. citizens can enter at the Zahony border crossing. The U.S. Embassy does have staff stationed near the crossing to provide assistance.
- Contact Information: +36 1 475 4400 or [email protected]
- MUST have proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 to enter.
- European Union: The European Union maintains a website with all travel restrictions for member states at reopen.europa.eu/en.
- Moldova: U.S. citizens traveling into Moldova by land should avoid the Transnistria region and cross into Moldova either to the north or south of the region. The main crossing is Palanca-Mayaki Udobone. Embassy personnel will be stationed near border crossings to provide assistance.
- Contact Information: +373 2240 8300 or [email protected].
- Poland: U.S. citizens can now enter Poland without prior approval at the border crossing of Korczowa-Krakovets and Medyka-Shehyni. Consular officers are stationed at these crossings to provide assistance.
- Warsaw Embassy Numbers: +48 22 504 2784 or +48 22 504 2000 or [email protected]
- Consulate General of Krakow: + 48 12 242 5100 or [email protected]
- Polish Border Guard: +48 22 500 4068 or +48 22 500 4568 or +48 22 500 5468 or [email protected]
- Romania: U.S. citizens can enter by land from Ukraine at the Siret border crossing. The U.S. embassy will soon have consular officers stationed near the crossing to provide assistance.
- Contact Information: +40 41 270 6000 or [email protected]
- Slovakia: Unvaccinated individuals fleeing conflict in Ukraine are not required to register or quarantine when crossing into Slovakia, but they must leave within 72 hours of entry. Fully vaccinated individuals who register in advance are not subject to any COVID-19 restrictions. The five crossings are Vysne Nemecke/Uzgorod; Ubl’a/Malyi Bereznyi; Vel’ke Slemence/Mali Selmenci (only those with EU passports); Cierna and Tisou/Cop (passenger trains only); and Mat’ovske Vojkovce/Pavlovo (cargo trains only).
- Contact Information: +421 2 5443 0861 or +421 903 703 666 or [email protected].