Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Updates

Some immigrants from specific countries may have access to forms of protection from deportation called Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Click on a country in this list to learn more: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. The U.S. government is trying to end TPS for some of these countries, and immigrants are challenging the government’s actions in multiple lawsuits.

Note: You can apply for both TPS and asylum at the same time, if you are eligible for both. 

What is TPS? What is DED? 

TPS is a temporary immigration status provided to individuals from specific countries, for example because of problems such as war or natural disasters. The U.S. government decides what countries should receive TPS. This post focuses on TPS.

DED is a different form of protection for individuals from specific countries. This post lists what countries currently have DED, but does not focus on DED. To learn more about DED, visit this government website. 

What countries have TPS or DED, or recently had it?

• Afghanistan: TPS for Afghanistan ended on July 21, 2025. Immigrants are fighting this termination through a lawsuit. Learn about the lawsuit.

• Burma (Myanmar): If you currently have TPS for Burma, your TPS is valid through November 25, 2025. Immigrants from Burma who have been in the United States since March 21, 2024 can still apply for TPS for the first time. Learn more here.

• Cameroon: TPS for Cameroon ended on August 4, 2025. Immigrants are fighting this termination through a lawsuit. Learn about the lawsuit.

• El Salvador: If you currently have TPS for El Salvador, your TPS is valid through September 9, 2026. Learn more here.

• Ethiopia: If you currently have TPS for Ethiopia, your TPS is valid through December 12, 2025. Immigrants from Ethiopia who have been in the United States since April 11, 2024 can still apply for TPS for the first time. Learn more here.

• Haiti: If you currently have TPS for Haiti, your TPS is valid through February 3, 2026 because of two court orders. Previously, the U.S. government had announced that they want to end TPS for Haiti early, on September 2, 2025, but immigrants are fighting this through a lawsuit and a court has stopped the government from ending TPS for now. Learn about the lawsuits here and here, and read more here.

• Honduras: TPS for Honduras ended on September 8, 2025. Immigrants are fighting this termination through a lawsuit. Learn about the lawsuit and read more here.

• Hong Kong: Immigrants from Hong Kong who have been in the United States since January 15, 2025 may be able to receive a different form of protection from deportation called DED. Learn more here.

• Lebanon: If you currently have TPS for Lebanon, your TPS is valid through May 27, 2026. Immigrants from Lebanon who have been in the United States since October 16, 2024 can still apply for TPS for the first time. Learn more here. Also, immigrants from Lebanon who have been in the United States since July 26, 2024 may be able to receive a different form of protection from deportation called DED. Learn more here.

• Liberia: Immigrants from Liberia who have been in the United States since May 20, 2017 may be able to receive a different form of protection from deportation called DED. Learn more here.

• Nepal: TPS for Nepal ended on August 20, 2025. Immigrants are fighting this termination through a lawsuit. Learn about the lawsuit.

• Nicaragua: TPS for Nicaragua ended on September 8, 2025. Immigrants are fighting this termination through a lawsuit. Learn about the lawsuit and read more here.

• Somalia: If you currently have TPS for Somalia, your TPS is valid through March 17, 2026. Immigrants from Somalia who have been in the United States since July 12, 2024 can still apply for TPS for the first time. Learn more here.

• South Sudan: If you currently have TPS for South Sudan, your TPS is valid through November 3, 2025. Learn more here.

• Sudan: If you currently have TPS for Sudan, your TPS is valid through October 19, 2026. Learn more here.

• Syria: TPS for Syria is ending on November 21, 2025. We do not yet know if there will be a lawsuit challenging this termination. Learn more here.

• Ukraine: If you currently have TPS for Ukraine, your TPS is valid through October 19, 2026. Learn more here.

• Venezuela: If you previously received Venezuela TPS, continue to be eligible for TPS, and submitted a re-registration application, your TPS is valid through October 2, 2026 - because of a court order.
  
  If you previously received a work permit based on Venezuela TPS, your work permit is automatically extended through April 2, 2026. To show proof of the automatic extension of your work permit, you can present your expired work permit and a copy of this government notice. To receive a work permit that is valid through October 2, 2026, you can submit a renewal work permit application. 
  
  The government will most likely appeal the court’s decision, so TPS for Venezuela could change again in the future. To receive future updates, sign up with the National TPS Alliance. 

• Yemen: If you currently have TPS for Yemen, your TPS is valid through March 3, 2026. Immigrants from Yemen who have been in the United States since July 2, 2024 can still apply for TPS for the first time. Learn more here.

Who can receive TPS?

To receive TPS, you must be from a specific country that is designated by the U.S. government and already be located in the United States at a specific date. You also have to submit an application by a specific date, and re-register if the TPS for your country is extended. The dates are different for each country with TPS. Some people may be able to apply or re-register for TPS late, but you should talk to a lawyer about that possibility.

If you have a criminal history, you should speak to a lawyer before applying for TPS, because some crimes will prevent you from receiving TPS.

What are the benefits and downsides of applying for TPS?

Applying for TPS is a personal choice. It may also be a complicated decision depending on your situation. 

There are benefits of receiving TPS. If you receive TPS, you:

• Cannot be deported from the United States while the TPS is valid

• Can apply for a work permit

• Can apply for permission to travel outside of the United States and then return

However, TPS is temporary and does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or citizenship. The U.S. government can decide to extend TPS, so this temporary status can be valid for many years. Or, the U.S. government can also try to end TPS.

Every time you complete a new immigration application, you are providing updated information to the government that they may not have already. You will need to provide your address to the government when you apply, and if you move, you will need to update your address with the government. If your application for TPS is denied, it is possible that the U.S. government could start an immigration court case against you.

How long does TPS last?

TPS can be granted for 6 months, 1 year, or 18 months. When the TPS for a specific country is about to expire, the U.S. government decides whether to extend it for another 6 to 18 months, or end it. The government can extend TPS for a country as many times as it wants.

If I apply for TPS, do I still have to go to my scheduled immigration court hearings?

Yes. If you miss a hearing, you will most likely receive a deportation order. Go here to check your next immigration court hearing.

Please note that this answer only applies if you have a case in immigration court. Not everyone does, it depends on your specific case!

How do I apply for TPS?

To apply for TPS, you can submit an application to USCIS. You can find the application with instructions on the USCIS website here. Scroll down to the “What to File” section to learn more about the required documents.

How do I re-register for TPS online? 

1. Go to this USCIS website. Log in to your existing USCIS Online Account or create a new one. You can watch this USCIS video about how to create an online account.

2. After logging in, if you are asked to choose between different webpage options, you can choose “myUSCIS” to get to your online account.

3. Once you are in myUSCIS account page, you can begin your application. If you are using a phone, click “Menu” in the top right corner, click “Account actions,” then click “File a form online.” If you are using a computer, click “My Account” in the top right corner, then click “File a form online.”

4. Next, select “I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)” in the drop-down menu. 

5. If you want to, you can also submit a renewal work permit application at the same time. To do so, select “yes” for the question “Are you also filing a request for employment authorization?” If you do this, when you have completed the Form I-821, the website should automatically start your renewal work permit application (Form I-765). Please note that renewal work permits cost $745. If you do not want to renew your work permit right now, select “no.” You can also apply to renew your work permit later. 

6. Follow the steps online to complete your application. Unfortunately, the application can only be completed in English. Review your application carefully before you click submit. 

7. At the end of the online application, USCIS will ask you to pay the fee by providing bank account or credit card information. The fee for TPS re-registration is $30. If you also renew your work permit at the same time, there is an additional fee of $745. 

8. After you submit your application, check your USCIS account frequently for important notices about the status of your application.

Is there a fee for TPS?

Yes, there is a fee for applying for TPS. 

Initial registration. Starting on July 22, 2025, the fee to apply for TPS for the first time increased. If you are registering for TPS for the first time, you must pay a filing fee of $500 and an additional biometrics fee of $30. You must pay the 2 fees separately (for example, by including two separate Forms G-1450). It is not possible to apply for a fee waiver for the $500 filing fee, but it is possible to apply for a fee waiver for the $30 biometrics fee. 

Re-registration. If you are re-registering for TPS, you must pay a biometrics fee of $30. It is possible to apply for a fee waiver for the $30 biometrics fee.

You can also submit a work permit application with your TPS application. There are additional fees if you also apply for a work permit. Continue reading to learn about work permits. 

I am applying for TPS. When do I qualify for a work permit?

You are eligible to apply for a work permit if you have applied for TPS and you are waiting for TPS approval. In fact, you can submit an application for a work permit at the same time that you submit your application for TPS. Learn more about work permits based on a pending TPS application here.

If you already have TPS, learn more about work permits based on TPS approval here.

If the government approves your work permit application, you should receive a work permit that is valid for one year, or until the expiration date of the TPS – whichever is shorter.

Is there a fee for TPS work permits?

Yes, there is a fee to apply for work permits based on approved TPS or a pending TPS application. Starting on July 22, 2025, the fee increased.

• Initial work permit: $1070 (if applying by mail) or $1020 (if applying online). You can request a fee waiver, but only for a part of the fee. You must still pay $550, even if your fee waiver is approved.  

• Renewal work permit: $795 (if applying by mail) or $745 (if applying online). You can request a fee waiver, but only for a part of the fee. You must still pay $275, even if your fee waiver is approved.  

You can find instructions for requesting a fee waiver here. Those instructions are for renewing a work permit based on asylum, but the process to request a fee waiver is the same.

How long will it take to receive an initial work permit if I apply based on TPS?

It is taking a long time for people to receive work permits based on TPS. These delays are affecting people who have already been approved for TPS and people who have applied for TPS and are waiting for approval. In September 2023, USCIS announced that they are taking steps to process these kinds of work permit applications faster.

You can use this USCIS tool to check how long it typically takes USCIS to process different types of work permits. You can find more instructions explaining how to use the tool here.

If you are applying for both asylum and TPS, it is possible to submit work permit applications for both asylum and TPS. You may be able to receive a work permit based on an asylum application faster than a work permit based on TPS.

You can learn more about applying for a work permit based on asylum on this page.

How long will it take to renew my work permit based on TPS? Can I still work after my current work permit expires?

It is taking a long time for USCIS to renew work permits based on TPS. However, your work permit is automatically extended if one of these two situations applies to you:

1. Some work permits based on TPS for certain countries are automatically extended, even if you have not submitted a renewal work permit application. To learn if your work permit has been automatically extended by USCIS, go to this USCIS website and select your country from the left side of the screen.

2. If your TPS remains valid and your work permit is going to expire, you can submit a work permit renewal application. If you submit your work permit renewal application before the expiration date, your work permit should be automatically extended for 1 year, or until the expiration date of TPS, whichever is shorter.

Can I apply for both asylum and TPS?

Yes. You can apply for both asylum and TPS, if you are eligible for both. However, the decision may be complicated depending on your situation. Learn more about asylum here. Learn more about TPS above.