Ukraine at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | None |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Designated; extension decision pending |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv processes immigrant visas, but Ukrainians are directed to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or the Consulate General in Krakow (Poland) for nonimmigrant visas. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Ukraine right now
- Ukraine's TPS designation ran through October 19, 2026, and DHS had not published an extension or termination decision as of mid-October 2026.
- New Uniting for Ukraine parole applications were paused in 2025, although existing parolees have generally been able to request re-parole.
- Nationals of Ukraine can qualify for E-2 treaty investor visas, but not E-1 treaty trader visas.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Ukraine
TPSTemporary protection for nationals of designated countriesHumanitarian paroleTemporary permission to enter the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasonsFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsMarriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseAsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryE-2 investor visaTreaty investor visa to run a business you invest inGreen card lottery (DV)Yearly random drawing for green cards from lower-immigration countries
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Ukraine visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Ukraine is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Ukraine get an E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Ukraine has an E-2 treaty with the United States, so its nationals can qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business they will run.
Can people from Ukraine enter the green card lottery?
Ukraine was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Ukraine have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv processes immigrant visas, but Ukrainians are directed to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or the Consulate General in Krakow (Poland) for nonimmigrant visas.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Ukraine?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Europe
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.