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Fact Sheet: Temporary Protected Status for Nepal
Posted on Jul 15 2025
Fact Sheet: Temporary Protected Status for Nepal
This fact sheet is current as of July 11, 2025. It is not legal advice.
Through the Federal Register notice on June 6, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepal. The designation for Nepal expired on June 24. The termination will be effective August 5, 2025.
What is temporary protected status (TPS)?
TPS is granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eligible foreign-born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to conditions or circumstances preventing their return to their home country.
During the designated TPS period, TPS holders are not removable from the United States and not detainable by DHS based on their immigration status. TPS holders are eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD), and eligible for travel authorization.
What is the status of TPS for Nepal?
The designation of TPS for Nepal is set to expire June 24, 2025. Through the Federal Register notice on June 6, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem terminated the next extension of TPS for Nepal.
From the notice of termination on June 6, 2025, there is a 60-day transition period until the termination is effective on August 5, 2025, after 11:59pm. After August 5, 2025, nationals of Nepal (and people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) who hold TPS, will no longer have TPS.
What happens to my employment authorization during the 60-day transition period?
Between June 6, 2025, and August 5, 2025 (the 60-day transition period), Nepal TPS holders with employment authorization documents continue to be employment authorized. After August 5, 2025, TPS is terminated along with its corresponding employment authorization.
How do I apply for TPS?
People interested in TPS must file an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and pay the filing fee. They may also apply for an EAD and for travel authorization. All individuals applying for TPS undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility.
The application period for TPS for Nepal is closed as of June 24, 2025. No more applications are being accepted.
Is TPS status given automatically?
No, TPS is not automatic. People must apply, pay a filing fee, and pass immigration screening. There are some facts that will make a person ineligible for TPS. For example, people with certain criminal convictions or who violated the human rights of others are not eligible for TPS. People who are inadmissible under certain sections of the law may have to file a waiver before they can be approved for TPS status. The application process can be complicated, and we recommend working with an immigration attorney. Please note, currently DHS is not accepting TPS applications for Nepal.
How long will eligible individuals have protection under TPS?
TPS is a temporary status. TPS for Nepal is terminated on August 5, 2025. After this date, Nepal nationals (and people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) who hold TPS status will no longer have TPS.
I have a TPS for Nepal, can I apply to extend it?
No, the TPS for Nepal extension was vacated by DHS.
I do not have TPS, can I apply for the first time?
No, applications are not being accepted at this time.
I am from Nepal, and I am in deportation proceedings. Can I apply for TPS to avoid deportation?
No, applications are not being accepted at this time.
Does TPS Status provide a path to permanent residency?
No, TPS does not provide a path to lawful permanent resident status. However, some TPS holders may be independently eligible to adjust status through family-based, employment-based, or other legal avenues. Please consult with an immigration lawyer regarding this issue.
May someone with a pending asylum application apply for TPS?
Note: currently TPS applications for Nepal are not being accepted.
Applying for TPS, or being granted TPS, does not affect a pending asylum application. However, asylum applicants should consider their preferred strategy in the event that their asylum application is not granted by USCIS. Based on this, we strongly recommend obtaining an immigration lawyer to discuss this question with you.
If someone has TPS at the time their asylum application is denied, USCIS cannot refer their asylum case to an immigration judge where the applicant may present the asylum claim for reconsideration. Thus, if you have a weak asylum case that is unlikely to be granted by an immigration judge and have no other relief available, it may be best to proceed with applying for TPS. Those who have a strong case for asylum may prefer not to apply for TPS until after the affirmative asylum application has been denied. Again, it is important to obtain an immigration lawyer to discuss the merits of your asylum application.
Note that obtaining TPS status will “stop the clock” on the requirement to file for asylum within one year of arriving in the United States if the one-year clock has not already expired.
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The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) provides free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants in a variety of immigration matters. For more information about how we can assist you, please visit our website at www.ilcm.org or call us at (651) 641-1011.