Can a refugee from Ukraine leave Poland? Of course they can. Thanks to the geographical situation, cultural closeness and lexical similarity, Ukrainians can feel almost at home in Poland. However, many of them decide to leave for other countries within the EU (mostly Germany) or even further away – for the U.S.A. and Canada.
Since the war started, the United States have hosted over 270,000 refugees from Ukraine, including ca. 130,000 people under the Uniting for Ukraine programme, which provides accommodation and financial support from American citizens, as well as health insurance and work permits. The numerous Ukrainian community in the U.S. also plays a role, as many migrants choose this destination because of their family ties. However, there are some restrictions for Ukrainians who want to travel to the U.S.A.: first of all, they must get a visa.
Leaving for the U.S.: required documentation and visa procedures
In Poland, Ukrainians can apply for a visa for the U.S.A. at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and at the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow. First, a Ukrainian citizen planning a travel to the States must specify what type of visa they need. Visa category determines the fees to be paid and the required documents. The next step is filling out and submitting an electronic visa application form and paying the service fee. The last step of the visa procedure is scheduling an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or the U.S. Consulate in Krakow, for which the applicant must appear in person. After the interview the process is complete, and the applicant awaits the decision on their visa eligibility. A detailed description of the visa procedure, along with the service fees and the required documents, can be found at the webpage of the U.S. Embassy in Poland.
U.S. visa interview at a consulate: what you should know
A visa interview at a U.S.A. diplomatic mission is a rather simple procedure, although its duration might depend on the applicant’s situation and the reason for travelling. An employee of the consulate asks detailed questions covering plans for the travel and the stay in the States. They might also ask about the applicant’s family relations and professional situation. At the embassy, the interviews are conducted in Polish, English and Russian, while at the consulate in Krakow, the interviews are conducted in Polish or English only. If the applicant is not communicative in any of these languages, they must hire an interpreter and bring them to the interview. There is no need to hire a sworn interpreter. However, it’s important to remember that the interpreter mustn’t be related to the applicant. Also, the consulate doesn’t allow the assistance of an interpreter without prior notification (which must include the full name of the interpreter). If the notified person can’t make it to the interview, replacement is not allowed.
Interpretation for Ukrainians during visa interviews
Many Ukrainians residing in Krakow or in nearby towns don’t speak English, and their Polish is not fluent enough. Lexical similarity between Polish and Ukrainian is not strong enough for them to handle a rather stressful interview. To such people, Alingua offers interpretation services during visa interviews. Experience, high professional standards and impeccable manners of our interpreters guarantee that the interview process will be smooth and comfortable for the applicant. We also offer sworn translation of visa documents from Ukrainian into English. Don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our office in the heart of Krakow.
