Temporary Protected Status Project

Temporary Protected Status Project

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to individuals who are unable to return home safely due civil war, natural disaster, or other conditions or circumstances preventing their return to their home country.

During the designated TPS period, TPS holders cannot be deported from the United States and cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of their immigration status. TPS holders are eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD) and for travel authorization.

Click here for our general TPS fact sheet.

CLINIC created a fact sheet on general questions on TPS eligibility and the application process.

October 6, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from December 8, 2023, through June 7, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Cameroon that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about how to register as a new or current beneficiary for TPS under Cameroon’s extension and redesignation. Secretary Mayorkas made the decision to extend and redesignate TPS for this population in consultation with interagency partners and with careful consideration of conditions.

September 21, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Nov. 21, 2023, to May 20, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Afghanistan that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about how to register for TPS as a new or current beneficiary under Afghanistan’s extension and redesignation.

September 20, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Venezuela that prevent individuals from safely returning.

The forthcoming Federal Register notice will explain eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, and for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD.

September 8, 2023 UPDATE – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending from 60 days to 18 months the periods to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan.

The 18-month re-registration period under the designation of:

• El Salvador now runs through March 9, 2025;
• Haiti now runs through Aug. 3, 2024;
• Honduras now runs through July 5, 2025;
• Nepal now runs through June 24, 2025;
• Nicaragua now runs through July 5, 2025; and
• Sudan now runs through April 19, 2025.

This re-registration extension will allow TPS beneficiaries to submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at any time during the 18-month extensions of the TPS designations of these six countries. 

September 5, 2023 UPDATE – The Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Nov. 4, 2023, through May 3, 2025. DHS also posted a Federal Register notice for public inspection.

August 18, 2023 UPDATE – On Aug. 18, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Ukraine for TPS for 18 months. The extension of TPS for Ukraine allows current beneficiaries to retain TPS through April 19, 2025, if they meet eligibility requirements.

Existing beneficiaries of TPS for Ukraine seeking to avoid gaps in their employment authorization documentation may re-register during the 60-day re-registration period which runs from Aug. 21, 2023, through Oct. 20, 2023. The redesignation allows Ukrainian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine) who have continuously resided in the United States since Aug. 16, 2022, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since Oct. 20, 2023, to file initial applications for TPS, if they are otherwise eligible.

June 21, 2023 UPDATE – On June 21, 2023, DHS published Federal Register notices (FRNs) announcing the rescission of the 2017 and 2018 terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua effective June 9, 2023, and extend the TPS designations of:

• El Salvador for 18 months, from Sept. 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through Sept. 10, 2023);
• Honduras for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024);
• Nepal for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023); and
• Nicaragua for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024).

June 13, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced his decision to rescind the 2017 and 2018 terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua effective June 9, 2023, and extend the TPS designations of:

• El Salvador for 18 months, from Sept. 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through Sept. 10, 2023);
• Honduras for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024);
• Nepal for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023); and
• Nicaragua for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024).

Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period for their country’s designation. Please do not re-register for TPS until the re-registration period for your country begins. USCIS cannot adjudicate your application before the effective date of the extension. For additional information, please see the news release: DHS Rescinds Prior Administration’s Termination of Temporary Protected Status Designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.

December 6, 2022 UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension and redesignation of Haiti for TPS for 18 months from February 4, 2023, through August 3, 2024. Those individuals who have already been residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, will be eligible for TPS under Haiti’s redesignation. Haitians entering the United States after November 6, 2022, including those who might be considering entering now, are not eligible for TPS.

DHS will publish a Federal Register notice that will explain the procedures necessary for an individual to re-register under the extension or submit an initial registration application under the redesignation and to apply for an Employment Authorization Document. Individuals applying for TPS are instructed to wait for the publication of the Federal Register notice before filing an application for TPS. Those who have been continuously residing in the U.S. since November 6, 2022, and have a pending TPS application with DHS do not have to refile at this time.

Haitian Creole translation: Depatman Sekirite Enteryè (Department of Homeland Security, DHS) anonse jodi a ekstansyon ak redezinyasyon Ayiti pou Estati Pwoteksyon Tanporè (Temporary Protected Status, TPS) pou 18 mwa soti 4 Fevriye 2023 jiska 3 Out 2024. Moun ki gentan ap viv nan Etazini depi 6 Novanm 2022 ap elijib pou TPS nan kad redezinyason Ayiti. Ayisyen ki rantre Etazini apre 6 Novanm 2022, ak sila ki fenk rantre yo, pa elijib pou TPS.

Nou pral pibliye yon avi Rejis Federal ki pral eksplike pwosedi nesesè pou yon moun enskri ankò nan kad ekstansyon an oswa soumèt yon enskripsyon inisyal nan kad redezinyasyon epi mande yon Dokiman Otorizasyon Travay (Employment Authorization Document). Moun ki ap aplike pou TPS yo bezwen tann piblikasyon avi Rejis Federal (Federal Register) avan yo depoze yon aplikasyon pou TPS. Moun ki rezide Etazini depi 6 Novanm 2022 epi ki gen yon aplikasyon pou TPS annatant pa bezwen depoze yon lòt ankò nan moman sa.

November 10, 2022 UPDATE: DHS posted a Federal Register Notice announcing that beneficiaries under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, the 2011 Haiti designation, and the 2013 Sudan designation will retain their TPS while the preliminary injunction in Ramos v. Wolf and the stay of proceedings order in Bhattarai v. Nielsen remains in effect, provided they remain individually eligible for TPS. Their Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) are auto-extended through June 30, 2024. 

September 26, 2022 UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma for an additional 18 months, from Nov. 26, 2022, through May 25, 2024, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Burma that prevent individuals from safely returning. In addition, DHS announced a redesignation of Burma for TPS for the same reason, allowing Burmese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma) residing in the United States as of Sept. 25, 2022, to be eligible for TPS.

September 7, 2022 UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice describing how beneficiaries under Venezuela’s existing TPS designation can re-register to retain TPS and renew their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month extension of the designation of Venezuela for TPS (July 11, 2022 UPDATE).

Only beneficiaries of the initial designation of Venezuela for TPS who were already residing in the United States in March 2021 are eligible to re-register for TPS and apply to renew their EADs, if they otherwise continue to meet eligibility requirements. Individuals re-registering must do so during the 60-day re-registration period from Sept. 8, 2022 to Nov. 7, 2022. Venezuelans who arrived in the United States after March 8, 2021, are not eligible for TPS.

July 29, 2022 UPDATE: DHS Announces extension and redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, through March 31, 2024. A Federal Register notice also provides automatic extension of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) of existing beneficiaries of Syria TPS, through Sept. 30, 2023. 

July 11, 2022 UPDATE: DHS Announces Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela. The 18-month extension of TPS for Venezuela will be effective from September 10, 2022, through March 10, 2024. Only beneficiaries under Venezuela’s existing designation, and who were already residing in the United States as of March 8, 2021, are eligible to re-register for TPS under this extension. Venezuelans who arrived in the United States after March 8, 2021, are not eligible for TPS.

“The forthcoming Federal Register notice will provide instructions for re-registering for TPS and applying for the renewal of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Venezuelans who are currently eligible for TPS under the existing designation but may have not yet applied with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) should file their applications prior to the September 9, 2022, application deadline, including those Venezuelans who are covered under the January 2021 grant of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Venezuela’s DED is set to expire July 20, 2022.”

Beginning July 1, 2022, USCIS will issue a new travel authorization document to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries: Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States. We will no longer issue advance parole documents as evidence of our prior consent to a TPS beneficiary’s travel outside the United States.

If you are a TPS beneficiary with an existing, unexpired advance parole document, you may continue to use it for travel outside the United States through the period of validity printed on it.

If you are a TPS beneficiary applying for a new travel authorization document, you should continue to use Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. If you have a pending Form I-131, you do not need to file a new application.

USCIS will continue issuing advance parole documents to noncitizens with pending applications for TPS (Form I-821).

June 7, 2022 UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today the Federal Register notices on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon. Cameroon is designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective June 7, 2022, through December 7, 2023. This designation allows Cameroonian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Cameroon) who have continuously resided in the United States since April 14, 2022, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since June 7, 2022, to apply for TPS.

May 20, 2022 UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today the Federal Register notices on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. Afghanistan is designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective May 20, 2022, through November 20, 2023. This designation allows eligible Afghan nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan) who have continuously resided in the United States since March 15, 2022, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since May 20, 2022 to apply for TPS.

April 18, 2022 UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today two Federal Register notices on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine and Sudan. These notices provide information about how to register for TPS under each country’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Ukraine for TPS and the 18-month designation of Sudan for TPS.
The registration process for both countries begins on April 19, 2022. All individuals who want to request TPS under the designation of Ukraine or Sudan must file an application.

On April 15, 2022 Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas granted immigrants from Cameroon temporary protection in the United States, allowing them to remain in the country for 18 months and apply for work permits.

Only Cameroonians living in the United States as of April 14 are eligible for temporary protected status (TPS), which typically benefits undocumented immigrants and those with visas that are set to expire.

April 8 Update: Certain EADs for TPS Syria Automatically Extended through Sept. 24, 2022

USCIS is issuing individual notices to certain TPS Syria beneficiaries whose applications to renew Form I 766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), remain pending. These individual notices further extend the validity of their EADs until Sept. 24, 2022. Their current EADs bear an A12 or C19 category and an expiration date of March 31, 2021; Sept. 30, 2019; or March 31, 2018.

Find more details on the TPS Syria webpage and instructions for completing Form I‑9 on the I‑9 Central TPS page.

On March 21, 2022 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agreed to restore a path to permanent residency for many Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries blocked by then-acting USCIS Director Ken Cuccinelli — an illegally appointed Trump official. Because of this agreement, TPS beneficiaries impacted by this policy will be able to reopen and dismiss their removal orders and apply to adjust their status to become permanent residents — eliminating the threat of deportation if their TPS protections are revoked in the future. CLINIC press release.

On March 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has automatically extended the validity of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with a Category Code of A12 or C19 issued under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia through Sept. 12, 2022.

On March 16, 2022 DHS announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.

On March 3, 2022 DHS announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 1, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.

On March 2, 2022 DHS announced a new 18-month designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that will become effective upon publication of an upcoming Federal Register Notice (FRN). DHS also announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for TPS for 18 months, effective May 3, 2022, through November 3, 2023. The Federal Register Notice providing further details is scheduled to be posted March, 3, 2022.

On September 10, 2021 DHS extended TPS for TPS holders from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. If they are in current TPS status, their TPS status and work permits are automatically extended to December 31, 2022. While they can apply for a new work permit, they are not required to.  Instead they can present their expired work permit and a copy of the Federal Register notice (dated 9/10/2021) as proof of their current status. The Federal Register notice with more details is available here.

On August 4, 2021 DHS extended the initial registration periods from 180 days to 18 months for applicants who do not currently have TPS under the TPS designations for Venezuela, Syria, and Burma. This extension to 18 months is the same time period of the TPS designation itself, allowing an individual to apply as an initial applicant any time during the 18-month designation periods for these three countries.

On August 3, 2021 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted the Federal Register notice on the “Designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status” for 18 months, effective August 3, 2021, through February 3, 2023.

On July 19, 2021 Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced an 18-month extension and re-designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).  This extension and re-designation will be in effect from September 18, 2021, through March 17, 2023. A Federal Register notice explaining the procedures necessary to re-register or submit an initial registration application and apply for an EAD will be published soon.

On July 9, 2021 the Federal Register notice on the “Extension and Redesignation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status” was published.

On July 6, 2021 Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced an 18-month extension and re-designation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This extension and re-designation will be in effect from September 4, 2021, through March 3, 2023.

The re-designation of TPS for Yemen allows an estimated 480 additional Yemeni nationals (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 5, 2021, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since September 4, 2021, to file initial applications to obtain TPS, if they are otherwise eligible.

Current beneficiaries re-registering under the extension of TPS for Yemen should re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day registration period.

Under the re-designation of Yemen, eligible individuals who do not have TPS may submit an initial Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the initial registration period that will run from the publication date of the Federal Register notice, through the full length of the re-designation period ending March 3, 2023. Applicants are also eligible to apply for TPS-related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and for travel authorization.

On March 12, 2021 Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Burma for 18 months. Once published, the Federal Register notice will explain the eligibility criteria applicants must meet and describe procedures necessary to submit an initial TPS application and apply for work authorization documentation.

On January 29, 2021 Acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Syria for 18 months through Sept. 30, 2022, and also re-designated Syria for TPS, effective March 31, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022.

Countries Currently Designated for TPS

For a full and up-to-date list of countries currently qualifying an individual for TPS, please see the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website.