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 remains valid for now. The U.S. government had announced that TPS for Burma would end on January 26, 2026, but immigrants are fighting this through a lawsuit, and a court stopped the government from ending TPS for now. Learn about the lawsuit and read 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: TPS for Ethiopia is ending on February 13, 2026. Immigrants are fighting this termination through a lawsuit. Learn about the lawsuit and read more here.

• Haiti: TPS for Haiti is valid again for now. If you received TPS for Haiti, you should be protected from detention and deportation, and your work permit is extended automatically. The U.S. government tried to end TPS for Haiti on February 3, 2026, but immigrants fought this termination through a lawsuit, and a court stopped the government from ending TPS for now. Read more here.

• Honduras: TPS for Honduras is valid again for now. If you received TPS for Honduras, you should be protected from detention and deportation, and your work permit is extended automatically. The U.S. government ended TPS for Honduras on September 8, 2025, but immigrants fought this termination through a lawsuit, and a court stopped the government from ending TPS for now. Learn about the lawsuit. You can also show your employer your expired work permit, this USCIS webpage, and this letter from the National TPS Alliance to help them understand the court ruling.

• 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. 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 is valid again for now. If you received TPS for Nepal, you should be protected from detention and deportation, and your work permit is extended automatically. The U.S. government ended TPS for Nepal on August 20, 2025, but immigrants fought this termination through a lawsuit, and a court stopped the government from ending TPS for now. Learn about the lawsuit. You can also show your employer your expired work permit, this USCIS webpage, and this letter from the National TPS Alliance to help them understand the court ruling.

• Nicaragua: TPS for Nicaragua is valid again for now. If you received TPS for Nicaragua, you should be protected from deportation, and your work permit is extended automatically. The U.S. government ended TPS for Nicaragua on September 8, 2025, but immigrants fought this termination through a lawsuit, and a court stopped the government from ending TPS for now. Learn about the lawsuit. You can also show your employer your expired work permit, this USCIS webpage, and this letter from the National TPS Alliance to help them understand the court ruling.

• Somalia: TPS for Somalia is ending on March 17, 2026. Learn more here.

• South Sudan: If you currently have TPS for South Sudan, your TPS remains valid for now. The U.S. government had announced that TPS for South Sudan would end on January 5, 2026, but immigrants are fighting this through a lawsuit, and a court stopped the government from ending TPS. Learn about the lawsuit and read more here.

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

• Syria: If you currently have TPS for Syria, your TPS remains valid for now. The U.S. government had announced their plan to end TPS for Syria early, on November 21, 2025, but immigrants are fighting this through a lawsuit and a court has stopped the government from ending TPS for now. However, the government has appealed that decision and this could change in the future. Learn about the lawsuit and read more here.

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

• Venezuela: TPS for Venezuela has ended for most people, but there are limited exceptions listed below. Immigrants are fighting this termination through a lawsuit. You can learn about the lawsuit and read more here. 

  • Who no longer has valid TPS or a TPS-based work permit:

    • For most people who received TPS for Venezuela in 2021, TPS and TPS-based work permits ended on November 7, 2025. 

    • For most people who received TPS for Venezuela in 2023, TPS and TPS-based work permits ended on October 3, 2025.

  • Who still has valid TPS or a work permit:

    • If you received a TPS approval notice between January 17, 2025 and February 5, 2025, your TPS will remain valid until October 2, 2026. 

    • If you received a Form I-94 for TPS between January 17, 2025 and February 5, 2025 and the Form I-94 has an expiration date of October 2, 2026, your TPS will remain valid until October 2, 2026. 

    • If you received a new work permit based on TPS between January 17, 2025 and February 5, 2025, and the work permit has an expiration date of October 2, 2026, your work permit is valid until October 2, 2026. But please note that a work permit does not extend your TPS, and having a work permit alone does not automatically provide protection against deportation or detention.   

    • If you applied to renew your work permit based on TPS and received a work permit receipt notice with a "Received Date” ​​before February 6, 2025, your work permit is extended for 540 days past the expiration date printed on your card. But please note that the work permit extension does not extend your TPS, and having a work permit alone does not automatically provide protection against deportation or detention.

  • Other information:

    • In the lawsuit about Venezuela TPS, on January 28, 2026,  a Court of Appeals ruled that the government acted unlawfully when it ended TPS for Venezuela. However, because of an earlier ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court (a higher court), this decision does not restore TPS.

    • In the same lawsuit, immigrants have also won a ruling called a “declaratory judgment.” This declaratory judgment does not restore TPS, but it may help some people seek release from detention if they previously had TPS from Venezuela and are members of the National TPS Alliance. You can learn more about the lawsuit here.

• Yemen: If you currently have TPS for Yemen, your TPS is valid through March 3, 2026. 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 $750. 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 $750. 

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. 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 $510 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 $510 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.

• Initial work permit: $1080 (if applying by mail) or $1030 (if applying online). You can request a fee waiver, but only for a part of the fee. You must still pay $560, even if your fee waiver is approved.  

• Renewal work permit: $800 (if applying by mail) or $750 (if applying online). You can request a fee waiver, but only for a part of the fee. You must still pay $280, 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. There is a new rule about auto-extensions impacting work permits based on asylum applications, but the rule does not apply to work permits based on TPS. 

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.