Campus Life

University offers Ukrainian Penn Staters support with applying to stay in U.S.

New rule allows Ukrainians to stay in the country for up to 18 months without risk of deportation

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is offering students, scholars, faculty and staff who are Ukrainian nationals help with navigating the Biden administration's new policy of Temporary Protected Status that allows them to stay in the United States.

The move, announced on March 3 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), designates Ukraine under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.  

Any Ukrainian national — student, scholar, faculty or staff member — who is in the United States with proper documentation is eligible for TPS under this designation. Currently, Penn State Global’s International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA) office is working through ways to assist students who may now need to stay in the country for longer than they had previously planned.

Any Ukrainian Penn Staters who wish to contact an ISSA adviser should do so through the iStart platform.

While it may take several weeks for immigration officials to start processing applications, Student Legal Services can assist students in determining if they are eligible for TPS and to apply for TPS.

Students can get assistance by contacting Student Legal Services either via phone, email or their website intake form:

Last Updated March 4, 2022