Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protective Status (TPS) is a type of temporary relief given to citizens of a foreign country. The Secretary of Homeland Security designates which countries qualify for this relief.

The Secretary designates countries for TPS if that country has conditions which temporarily prevent a country’s nationals from returning safely to their home country. The Secretary generally designates countries that have ongoing armed conflict inside their country, environmental disaster or an epidemic, or any other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

TPS is a temporary status which is only designated for 18-month periods, but those periods can be renewed or redesignated by the Secretary before the expiration period if the qualifying foreign country’s conditions have not improved.

Only foreign nationals who are already inside the United States by the designated date can benefit from TPS. The countries currently designated for TPS are Venezuela, Ukraine, Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen. Many of these countries are constantly redesignated which may allow new foreign nationals to apply for TPS.

To be eligible for TPS, you must:

Be a national of a country designated for TPS, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country;

Have been continuously physically present in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of your country;

Have been continuously residing in the United States since the date specified for your country;

You MUST file your application within the time period allowed for initial registration or re-registration (for current TPS holders)

You can visit this website to learn more about the qualifying factors for your country’s TPS designation: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status.

Real Stories

Hear directly from those who have already obtained a green card or citizenship with us

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits are available to individuals granted TPS during the designated period?

TPS beneficiaries or those found preliminarily eligible for TPS can remain in the United States without the risk of deportation, obtain an employment authorization document (EAD), and may be granted travel authorization. They also cannot be detained by DHS based on their immigration status.

Is there any impact on applying for asylum or other immigration benefits if someone applies for TPS?

No, applying for TPS does not prevent an individual from applying for asylum or any other immigration benefit. Denial of an asylum or other immigration benefit application does not affect an individual’s ability to register for TPS.

Can an individual who is denied asylum still be eligible for TPS?

Yes, a denial of an asylum application does not automatically impact eligibility for TPS. However, the grounds for denial of the asylum application may also affect the TPS application.

What are the eligibility requirements for TPS?

To be eligible for TPS, an individual must be a national of a designated TPS country or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country. They must have been continuously physically present in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation and continuously residing in the United States since the specified date for their country.

Is there a deadline for filing an application for TPS?

Yes, applicants must file their TPS application within the time period allowed for initial registration or re-registration if they are current TPS holders. Individuals can visit the following website for more information about the qualifying factors specific to their country’s TPS designation: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status.