Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Complete Guide

When crises like war or natural disasters make it dangerous for people to return home, the federal government may offer humanitarian protection through Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This program allows eligible migrants in the U.S. to stay safely and legally until conditions in their country improve.

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

TPS is a nonimmigrant humanitarian designation for people already residing in the U.S. To qualify, their home country must be experiencing temporary conditions that make it unsafe to return. In some cases, the Secretary of Homeland Security may grant TPS to a nation that would struggle to receive people returning from abroad. 

Temporary conditions that have previously qualified countries for TPS include:

• A current armed conflict
• Natural disasters
• Epidemics
• Other extreme temporary conditions, such as famine

Once the Secretary of Homeland Security designates a country for TPS, those who qualify can file for this immigration benefit either during an open initial registration or re-registration period. New applicants can only file during an open initial registration window, while current TPS holders can only renew their status during the re-registration periods.

What are the benefits of Temporary Protected Status?

Once approved, TPS holders can:

• Remain protected from deportation
• Apply for a work authorization permit
• Request travel authorization

Note that TPS is not a visa or Green Card category. Rather, it’s a benefit that provides certain protections for foreign nationals who have resided in the U.S. for a certain period of time. However, those with TPS can apply for an nonimmigrant or immigrant visa.

🪪 Exploring your immigration options in the U.S.? Even if you don’t qualify for TPS, you may qualify for one of the various visa categories available.

Which countries are currently designated for Temporary Protected Status?

As of January 14, 2025, 12 countries continue to have active TPS designations. USCIS often updates its site for TPS, so if you’re concerned about changes to your status, check there first.

Country	TPS Designated Through:	Open initial registration	Re-registration
El Salvador	September 9, 2026	Closed	Closed
Ethiopia	February 13, 2026	Closed	Closed
Haiti	February 3, 2026	Closed	N/A
Lebanon	May 27, 2026	Yes, until May 27, 2026	N/A
Myanmar	January 26, 2026	Closed	N/A
Somalia	March 17, 2026	Closed	Closed
South Sudan	January 5, 2026	Closed	N/A
Sudan	October 19, 2026	Closed	Closed
Syria	Under review by the U.S. Supreme Court	Closed	Closed
Ukraine	October 19, 2026	Closed	Closed
Venezuela	Terminated, except for those re-registered under the vacated Jan. 17 2025 TPS extension and received EADs, I-797s, or I-94s with an October 2, 2026 before February 6, 2025.	Closed	Closed
Yemen	March 3, 2026	Open, until March 3, 2026	Closed

*Active TPS designations, as of January 2026

Of these countries, only two (Lebanon and Yemen) are open for initial registration. 

Due to legal challenges, both Syria’s and Venezuela’s TPS designation remains valid for some individuals (although with several exceptions). 

Recent updates for Venezuelans under TPS

Venezuelans under TPS may have valid work authorization through October 2, 2026, or through an automatic EAD extension of up to 540 days, depending on their situation, if the requirements below are met.

Scenario 1: TPS re-registration with documents valid through October 2, 2026

You continue to have valid TPS and work authorization through October 2, 2026, if ALL of the following apply:

• You re-registered under the 2023 Venezuela TPS designation, specifically the extension announced on January 17, 2025 (even though that extension was later vacated)
• You received TPS-related documents issued on or before February 5, 2025, including one or more of the following:
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Form I-797, Notice of Action
  • Form I-94
• Your documents list an expiration date of October 2, 2026

If you meet these requirements:

• You maintain TPS
• Your work authorization remains valid
• You may continue working lawfully in the United States
• Your documentation remains valid through October 2, 2026

Scenario 2: Automatic 540-Day EAD extension based on court order (Pending I-765)

Pursuant to a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California order dated May 30, 2025, you may continue to work under an automatic EAD extension of up to 540 days if ALL of the following apply:

• You re-registered under the previously vacated January 17, 2025, TPS extension for Venezuela
• You filed a Form I-765 (EAD renewal) that was received by USCIS before February 6, 2025
• You received a Form I-797 Receipt Notice for your I-765 with a received date before February 6, 2025
• Your TPS-related EAD has an original expiration date of either:
  • September 10, 2025, or
  • April 2, 2025

If you meet these requirements:

• Your EAD is automatically extended for up to 540 days
• You remain authorized to work in the United States during the extension period
• You do not need to receive the new EAD card to keep working

Recent updates for Syrians under TPS

Initially, Syrian TPS holders would’ve lost their status on November 21, 2025. However, a federal judge in New York blocked this termination just two days before it took effect. We are constantly monitoring this and will provide updates as more information comes out. 

To see specific updates to your country, check out USCIS’s Temporary Protected Status webpage.

Which countries have recently lost TPS?

In 2025 alone, several countries have lost or are scheduled to lose TPS designations. Below is a timeline outlining TPS terminations and developments over the past 12 months:

• February 5, 2025: DHS announces termination of Venezuela’s 2023 TPS designation.
• March 31, 2025: A federal judge in San Francisco rules to continue Venezuela’s 2023 TPS designation, marking the beginning of a legal dispute.
• April 7, 2025: Ongoing litigation blocks the termination of Venezuela’s 2023 TPS designation.
• May 13, 2025: DHS announces termination of Afghanistan’s TPS designation. 
• June 4, 2025: DHS announces termination of Cameroon’s TPS designation. 
• June 6, 2025: DHS announces termination of Nepal’s TPS designation. 
• July 8, 2025: DHS announces termination of Honduras and Nicaragua’s TPS designation. 
• July 14, 2025: Afghanistan’s TPS designation ends. 
• August 4, 2025: Cameroon’s TPS designation ends. 
• August 5, 2025: Nepal’s TPS designation ends. 
• September 3, 2025: DHS announces termination of Venezuela’s 2021 TPS designation.
• September 8, 2025: Honduras and Nicaragua’s TPS designation ends.
• September 22, 2025: DHS announces termination of Syria’s TPS designation. 
• October 3: The U.S. Supreme Court allows Venezuela’s 2023 TPS designation to end immediately. 
• November 6, 2025: DHS announces termination of South Sudan’s TPS designation. 
• November 7, 2025: Venezuela’s 2021 TPS designation ends. 
• November 19, 2025: A federal judge in New York rules to continue Syria’s TPS designation, marking the beginning of an ongoing legal dispute. 
• November 25, 2025: DHS announces termination of Myanmar’s TPS designation.
• November 28, 2025: DHS announces termination of Haiti’s TPS designation.
• December 12, 2025: DHS announces termination of Ethiopia’s TPS designation.
• December 31, 2025: A federal Judge blocks the TPS termination for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. 
• January 5, 2026: South Sudan’s TPS designation ends. 
• January 26, 2026: Myanmar’s TPS designation ends. 
• February 3, 2026: Haiti’s TPS designation ends.
• February 13, 2026: Ethiopia’s TPS designation ends.
• January 13, 2026: DHS announces termination of Somalia’s TPS designation.
• March 17, 2026: Somalia’s TPS designation ends. 

How can I qualify for TPS?

To qualify for TPS, you must first be a citizen or habitual resident of one of the countries designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security. However, you cannot apply for TPS unless you are filing under an open registration period. 

That means that, as of January 14, 2026, only Lebanese and Yemeni migrants can request TPS. If you’re from a designated country without an open registration period, you cannot become a new TPS beneficiary. Current TPS holders can remain in valid status until their designation ends. 

TPS applicants must also meet the U.S. residency criteria outlined by the DHS. These are divided into two subcategories:

• Continuous Residence, or how long you’ve lived in the U.S. for; and
• Continuous Physical Presence, or how long you’ve actively remained in the country

Both of these requirements must be met in order to qualify for TPS. However, DHS can grant exceptions if you’ve traveled briefly out of the country for “casual and innocent” reasons. 

The TPS application process: Step-by-step guide

Like most other immigration benefits, the TPS application process involves several steps. These include gathering documents, filing, and undergoing biometrics processing. 

1. Collect evidence

Before you can file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, you’ll need to gather documents that show you qualify for TPS. For most applicants, this may include:

• Identity and nationality documents, such as passports, government IDs, or birth certificates
• Proof of continuous residence, such as employment records, rent receipts, or school records
• Evidence of entry into the U.S., such as Form I-94

In some cases, USCIS knows that it may be difficult for some applicants to obtain primary evidence of identity and nationality. To accommodate these cases, TPS applicants can submit supporting documents like baptismal certificates or medical records. 

2. File Form I-821

Once you’ve obtained sufficient evidence, you can move forward to file an I-821 petition. Both initial and re-registered TPS applications are filed through Form I-821. If you’d like to receive an EAD in addition to your TPS benefits, you’ll need to file Form I-765 at the same time. 

💭 Keep this in mind when filing: If you’re applying for TPS as a family, each person must submit an I-821 form. Unlike other immigration benefits or statuses, a single application cannot petition for multiple individuals.

3. Pay the filing fees

If you’re filing Form I-821 for the first time, you’ll need to pay $500. This applies to both online and paper applications. Those re-registering for TPS do not have to pay a filing fee.

In addition, you’ll need to pay a separate $30 biometrics fee. Even if USCIS exempts you from attending a biometrics appointment, you are still required to pay this amount. 

4. Wait to receive a notice from USCIS

After you’ve filed your I-821 petition, USCIS will send you a receipt number if your application passes the basic acceptance requirements. This will allow you to check the status of your case online. 

If USCIS does not contact you within three weeks, you’ll need to call the USCIS Contact Center to request an update.

5. Attend your biometrics appointment

Once USCIS contacts you, they will let you know if you need to attend a biometrics appointment. During the appointment, an immigration officer will collect your fingerprints and may request additional personal information. 

For this appointment, you should bring your:

• Appointment notice
• Current EAD, if you have one
• I-821 receipt 
• Proof of nationality and identity, such as your passport or birth certificate
• Government issued identification with photograph like a driver’s license or passport

Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar also recommends bringing any additional documents you have in case an immigration officer requests it. “Having additional proof can be especially beneficial for those who can’t provide primary foreign documents like passports,” she says.

“When you go to your biometrics appointment, always bring your appointment notice and make sure the officer stamps it before you leave,” Urizar says. “This stamped notice is your proof that you completed biometrics.”

6. Get a decision from USCIS

After your biometrics appointment, USCIS may send you an I-797 notice indicating whether your case was approved, denied, or needs additional review. For the latter situation, you may receive a Request for Evidence that asks you to submit more documents.

If you’re an initial TPS applicant, you may receive your EAD before USCIS has decided on your case. Those re-registering receive a new work authorization document after their petition gets approved. 

Curious if you qualify for TPS or another immigration benefit? Our team of immigration attorneys can walk you through your available options, including whether you are eligible for a work visa or Green Card. Request a consultation to learn more.  

Frequently Asked Questions about TPS

Can people under TPS still request advance parole?

Yes, TPS holders and applicants can request advance parole by filing Form I-131. Note that if you leave the U.S. without travel authorization, you may lose your TPS status.

Can TPS holders apply for an adjustment of status to get a Green Card?

Only if you qualify for an existing Green Card category. 

What is the processing time for TPS?

Processing times can vary depending on:

• Your nationality, and
• Whether you’re an initial or re-registering TPS applicant.

Most people wait several months before they receive a decision. To see how long USCIS would take to process your particular application, check out their Processing Times tool.

What happens if my TPS expires?

If DHS decides to extend your country’s TPS designation, you may be able to renew your status during a re-registration period. Otherwise, you’ll need to explore alternative options, such as a work visa or Green Card.