Key Takeaways
• TPS protects nationals from unsafe countries facing conflict or disasters, allowing work but not permanent residency.
• Applicants must meet strict eligibility, submit Form I-821, and apply during specified registration periods.
• TPS status requires re-registration; extensions or terminations depend on country conditions and Secretary of Homeland Security.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) offers a lifeline to people from certain countries who cannot safely return home due to war, natural disasters, or other serious problems. If you or someone you know is thinking about applying for TPS, it’s important to understand the full process, what’s expected at each step, and how to avoid common mistakes. This guide will walk you through the entire journey, from checking if you qualify to staying up to date with changes, so you can feel confident and prepared.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
TPS is a special immigration status that the Secretary of Homeland Security can give to people from countries facing temporary problems. These problems might include ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes, or other serious conditions that make it unsafe to return home. TPS is not permanent. It does not lead to a green card or citizenship, but it does protect you from being deported and lets you work legally in the United States 🇺🇸 for as long as your country’s TPS designation lasts.
Step 1: Check TPS Eligibility and Country Designation
Before you do anything else, you need to make sure you meet the basic requirements for TPS eligibility. Here’s what you need to know:
- Nationality: You must be a national of a country that the Secretary of Homeland Security has officially designated for TPS. If you don’t have a nationality, you must have last lived in that country.
- Physical Presence: You must have been physically present in the United States 🇺🇸 since a date set by the Secretary. This date is different for each country and is announced when TPS is given or renewed.
- Continuous Residence: You must have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since another date set by the Secretary. This is to show you were already here when the problems in your country started.
- No Serious Crimes: You cannot have certain criminal convictions or be considered a security risk. If you have a criminal record, talk to a legal expert before applying.
Important: TPS is only for people who are already in the United States 🇺🇸 when their country is designated. If you arrive after the set dates, you cannot apply.
Step 2: Understand Registration and Re-Registration Periods
Once you know you’re eligible, the next step is to pay close attention to the registration and re-registration periods. These are the windows of time when you can apply or renew your TPS.
- Initial Registration: When a country is first designated for TPS, there is an initial registration period. For example, Haitians had from July 1, 2024, to August 3, 2025, to apply for TPS.
- Re-Registration: If your country’s TPS is extended, you must re-register during the new period to keep your status and work permit. Missing this deadline can cause you to lose your protection and your right to work.
- Late Filing: Sometimes, you can file late if you meet certain conditions, like being the spouse of someone with TPS or if you have a pending asylum application. Always check the rules for your country.
What to Expect: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will announce these periods on their official TPS page. Mark these dates on your calendar and set reminders so you don’t miss them.
Step 3: Stay Informed About TPS Extensions and Terminations
TPS is not forever. The Secretary of Homeland Security reviews each country’s situation every 6 to 18 months. They decide whether to extend TPS, end it, or sometimes redesignate it with new dates.
- Extensions: If the problems in your country continue, TPS may be extended. You’ll need to re-register to keep your status.
- Terminations: If the Secretary decides conditions have improved, TPS can end. For example, Afghanistan’s TPS ended on July 12, 2025, and Cameroon and Nepal’s TPS ended in June 2025.
- Advance Notice: By law, the government must announce any end to TPS at least 60 days before it happens. This gives people time to prepare.
Impact: When TPS ends, you lose protection from deportation and your work permit. If you don’t have another legal status, you may become undocumented. This is why it’s so important to stay up to date and plan ahead.
Step 4: Know What TPS Status Means for Your Daily Life
TPS gives you important rights, but it also comes with limits.
- Protection from Deportation: As long as your TPS is active, you cannot be deported just for being in the country without another status.
- Work Authorization: You can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which lets you work legally. Many TPS holders work in essential jobs, like healthcare, food service, and construction.
- No Path to Permanent Residency: TPS does not lead to a green card or citizenship. When TPS ends, you return to the immigration status you had before TPS, unless you have another way to stay legally.
- Travel: You cannot travel outside the United States 🇺🇸 and return unless you get special permission called Advance Parole. Traveling without this can cause you to lose your TPS.
Step 5: Step-by-Step TPS Application Process
Applying for TPS involves several steps. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do and what to expect at each stage:
1. Confirm Your Country’s TPS Designation and Registration Period
– Go to the USCIS TPS page to check if your country is currently designated and see the registration dates.
– Make sure you meet the physical presence and residence requirements.
2. Gather Required Documents
– Proof of Identity and Nationality: Passport, birth certificate, or national ID from your country.
– Proof of Date of Entry: Documents showing when you arrived in the United States 🇺🇸, like an I-94 arrival record.
– Proof of Continuous Residence: Bills, leases, school records, or pay stubs showing you’ve lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since the required date.
3. Complete Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status)
– Download and fill out Form I-821 from the USCIS website.
– Answer all questions honestly. Mistakes or missing information can delay your case.
4. Pay the Filing and Biometric Fees
– There are fees for filing Form I-821 and for biometrics (fingerprinting). As of 2025, the total is usually around $545, but check the latest fee schedule.
– If you cannot afford the fees, you can request a fee waiver by filing Form I-912.
5. Apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
– You can apply for a work permit at the same time by filing Form I-765.
– This is optional, but most people do it to work legally.
6. Submit Your Application
– Mail your forms and documents to the address listed on the USCIS website for your country’s TPS.
– Keep copies of everything you send.
7. Attend Biometrics Appointment
– USCIS will send you a notice for fingerprinting. Go to the appointment at the time and place listed.
8. Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
– If USCIS needs more information, they’ll send you a letter. Respond quickly and provide what they ask for.
9. Wait for a Decision
– Processing times can vary. It may take several months to get a decision. You can check your case status online using your receipt number.
10. Receive Your Decision
– If approved, you’ll get a notice and, if you applied, your work permit.
– If denied, the notice will explain why and if you can appeal.
Estimated Timeframes:
– Filing to Biometrics: 3-6 weeks after you apply.
– Biometrics to Decision: 3-8 months, depending on your case and USCIS workload.
– Work Permit: Usually arrives a few weeks after approval.
Step 6: What Happens After Approval or Denial
If Approved:
– You are protected from deportation and can work legally as long as your country’s TPS is active.
– You must re-register during each new period to keep your status.
If Denied:
– You may lose protection and could be placed in removal proceedings if you have no other status.
– You can sometimes appeal or file a motion to reopen your case if you think USCIS made a mistake.
Step 7: Stay Alert for Changes and Get Legal Help
TPS rules can change quickly because of new laws, court cases, or decisions by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Here’s how to stay protected:
- Check Official Sources Regularly: Visit the USCIS TPS page and the Federal Register for updates.
- Sign Up for Alerts: Many advocacy groups and legal aid organizations offer free email or text alerts about TPS changes.
- Get Legal Help: Free or low-cost legal help is available. In New York City, you can call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 (Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm). National groups like the National TPS Alliance and CASA, Inc. also help TPS applicants.
- Don’t Rely on Rumors: Always check information with official sources or trusted legal providers.
What to Do if TPS for Your Country Ends
If the Secretary of Homeland Security decides to end TPS for your country, you’ll get at least 60 days’ notice. Here’s what you should do:
- Talk to a Legal Expert: Find out if you have any other way to stay in the United States 🇺🇸, such as asylum, family sponsorship, or another visa.
- Prepare for Possible Changes: If you have children born in the United States 🇺🇸, learn about their rights and options.
- Stay Informed: Sometimes, court cases or new laws can change TPS decisions, so keep checking for updates.
Recent Examples of TPS Changes
- Haiti: TPS designation ends September 2, 2025, but there is ongoing litigation that could change this.
- Afghanistan: TPS ended July 12, 2025, affecting about 9,000 people.
- Cameroon and Nepal: TPS ended in June 2025, impacting over 7,000 people.
- Venezuela: TPS is set to expire April 7, 2025, for the 2023 designation, and September 5, 2025, for the 2021 designation, but legal challenges are ongoing.
Why TPS Matters
TPS helps hundreds of thousands of people live and work safely in the United States 🇺🇸 while their home countries recover. As reported by VisaVerge.com, about 130,000 TPS holders work in essential jobs that keep the country running. But TPS is not a permanent fix. Many experts and advocacy groups are pushing for new laws to let long-term TPS holders apply for green cards and stay in the United States 🇺🇸 for good.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Check if you qualify for TPS eligibility by confirming your country’s designation and your arrival dates.
- Watch for registration and re-registration periods and apply on time.
- Gather all required documents and fill out your forms carefully.
- Respond quickly to any requests from USCIS and attend your biometrics appointment.
- Stay up to date with changes by checking official sources and getting legal help if you need it.
- Remember that TPS is temporary and does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
If you’re ready to start your TPS application, visit the USCIS TPS page for the latest information, forms, and instructions. If you have questions or need help, reach out to a trusted legal service provider or call the MOIA hotline at 800-354-0365.
By following these steps and staying informed, you can protect yourself and your family while making the most of the opportunities TPS provides.
Learn Today
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A temporary immigration status protecting nationals from unsafe countries from deportation and allowing legal work.
Secretary of Homeland Security → US official responsible for designating countries eligible for TPS based on unsafe conditions.
Registration Period → Official window to submit or renew TPS applications to maintain protected status and legal work.
Form I-821 → Application form used to apply for Temporary Protected Status with USCIS processing.
Advance Parole → Permission to travel outside the US and return without losing TPS status.
This Article in a Nutshell
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) shields people from dangerous countries from deportation while allowing legal employment. TPS is temporary, requiring timely application, document preparation, and re-registration. Staying informed of TPS changes and seeking legal aid is critical to maintaining protection and work rights amid evolving conditions.
— By VisaVerge.com
