Updates about Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)

Immigrants from many countries are now eligible for forms of protection from deportation called Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). 

If you have already applied for asylum, please know: you can apply for TPS and asylum at the same time. If your asylum application is denied but your TPS is granted and remains valid, you cannot be deported and you can apply for a work permit based on TPS. 

This post focuses on TPS. It explains what TPS is, what countries currently have TPS, and how to apply. If you are interested in applying for TPS for the first time, you need to apply before the deadlines listed below. This post also lists what countries currently have DED, which is a different form of protection. To learn more about DED, visit this government website. 

What is TPS?

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.

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.

What countries have TPS or DED?

• Afghanistan: Immigrants from Afghanistan who have been in the United States since September 20, 2023 can now apply for TPS. USCIS must receive your TPS application for Afghanistan by May 20, 2025. Learn more here.

  • Note: The U.S. government has announced they are ending TPS for Afghanistan on July 12, 2025.

• Burma (Myanmar): Immigrants from Burma who have been in the United States since March 21, 2024 can now apply for TPS. If you are applying for TPS for Burma for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application by November 25, 2025. Learn more here.

• Cameroon: Immigrants from Cameroon who have been in the United States since October 5, 2023 can now apply for TPS. USCIS must receive your TPS application for Cameroon by June 7, 2025. Learn more here.

  • Note: News reports say the U.S. government will end TPS for Cameroon on June 7, 2025.

• Ethiopia: Immigrants from Ethiopia who have been in the United States since April 11, 2024 can now apply for TPS. If you are applying for TPS for Ethiopia for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application by December 12, 2025. Learn more here.

• Haiti: Immigrants from Haiti who have been in the United States since June 3, 2024 can now apply for TPS. If you are applying for TPS for Haiti for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application by August 3, 2025. Learn more here.

  • Note: The U.S. government announced that they are shortening the length of TPS for immigrants from Haiti. Previously, TPS for Haiti was valid until February 3, 2026. Now, it will expire on August 3, 2025. Immigrants have filed a lawsuit gainst this change.

• Hong Kong: Immigrants from Hong Kong who have been in the United States since January 26, 2023 may be able to receive a different form of protection from deportation called DED. Learn more here.

• Lebanon: Immigrants from Lebanon who have been in the United States since October 16, 2024 can now apply for TPS. USCIS must receive your TPS application by May 27, 2026. 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.

• Palestine: Immigrants from Palestine who have been in the United States since February 14, 2024 may be able to receive a different form of protection from deportation called DED. Learn more here.

• Somalia: Immigrants from Somalia who have been in the United States since July 12, 2024 can now apply for TPS. If you are applying for TPS for Somalia for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application by March 17, 2026. Learn more here.

• South Sudan: For immigrants who currently have TPS for South Sudan, their TPS status and work permits have been automatically extended to November 3, 2025. No re-registration is required. Learn more here.

• Sudan: Immigrants from Sudan who have been in the United States since August 16, 2023 can now apply for TPS. If you already have TPS for Sudan and you would like to keep your TPS, USCIS must receive your TPS application by March 18, 2025. If you are applying for TPS for Sudan for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application by April 19, 2025. Learn more here.

• Syria: Immigrants from Syria who have been in the United States since January 25, 2024 can now apply for TPS. If you are applying for TPS for Syria for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application by September 30, 2025. Learn more here.

• Ukraine: Immigrants from Ukraine who have been in the United States since August 16, 2023 can now apply for TPS. If you already have TPS for Ukraine and you would like to keep your TPS, USCIS must receive your TPS application by March 18, 2025. If you are applying for TPS for Ukraine for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application for Ukraine by April 19, 2025. Learn more here.

• Venezuela: People with Venezuela TPS can now re-register to extend their TPS to be valid until October 2, 2026. And most work permits based on Venezuela TPS are automatically extended until April 2, 2026. Learn more here.

  • Note: The U.S. government announced that it was ending the previous extension of TPS for immigrants from Venezuela. However, immigrants filed a lawsuit, and on March 31, 2025, a court stopped this change temporarily. Learn more here.

• Yemen: Immigrants from Yemen who have been in the United States since July 2, 2024 can now apply for TPS. If you are applying for TPS for Yemen for the first time, USCIS must receive your TPS application by March 3, 2026. Learn more here.

What other countries have TPS?

Some people from the countries below received TPS in the past because they were in the United States on specific dates and have remained in the U.S. since then. For more details on TPS from these countries, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website here or click the links below.

• El Salvador

• Honduras

• Nepal

• Nicaragua

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.

Recently, the U.S. government announced that immigrants from some countries will automatically have their TPS extended. If you already have TPS, you can visit the USCIS website here and click on your country to learn more.

How do you 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.

Is there a fee for TPS?

Yes, there is a fee for applying for TPS. The fee amount depends on your age, whether you are registering for TPS for the first time or re-registering, and whether you are applying for a work permit at the same time. You will need to include the correct fee with your application. If you cannot pay the fee, you can submit a fee waiver request. Please go to this USCIS webpage and look under “Filing Fee” for the correct fee amount.

If you are an ASAP member, your ASAP membership does not affect the fee for TPS. In other words, even if you are an ASAP member, you still have to pay the correct fee for TPS, or submit a fee waiver request.

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

Yes. If you have a case in immigration court, it is very important to attend your immigration court hearings, even if you are pursuing TPS at the same time. 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!

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.

People who are approved for TPS are automatically allowed to work in the United States while their TPS is valid. Even though it is not required, you may still wish to apply for a work permit as proof of your identity and proof you can legally work in the United States. If you already have TPS, learn more about work permits based on TPS approval here.

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. You may also wish to look for legal assistance.

How long will it take to renew my work permit based on TPS?

It is taking a long time for USCIS to renew work permits based on TPS. However, if you submit your work permit renewal application before the expiration date, your work permit is automatically extended. Learn more about the automatic extension here (this link refers to work permits based on asylum application, but work permits based on TPS receive the same extension).

In addition, USCIS has automatically extended the expiration date on work permits based on TPS for certain countries. This means you may not need to apply for a work permit renewal until a later date. 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.

Can you 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.