Temporary Protected Status

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.

USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.

TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or give any other immigration status.

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 (CPP) in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of your country; and

Have been continuously residing (CR) in the United States since the date specified for your country.

Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)

An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic

Other extraordinary and temporary conditions

Countries Currently Designated for TPS Select the country link for additional specific country information. El Salvador Lebanon Sudan Ukraine Venezuela

On October 3, 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the termination to take immediate effect. TPS beneficiaries who received an Employment Authorization Document on or before February 5, 2025, with a ‘Card Expires’ date of October 2, 2026, will maintain work authorization until October 2, 2026.

determined that Venezuela no longer meets the conditions for its designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and that the termination of the 2023 Venezuela TPS designation is required as it is contrary to the national interest.

Separately, Secretary Noem published her notice to terminate the Venezuela 2021 designation, which is effective on Nov. 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States;

Last Reviewed/Updated: 09/09/2026

File during the open initial registration or re-registration period, or you meet the requirements for late initial filing during any extension of your country’s TPS designation (Late initial filers see ‘Filing Late’ section below);

To register or re-register for TPS you must file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.

All applicants eligible to file for TPS under one of the current designations may file Form I-821 online.

For information about when and where you must file your TPS application, please see the country specific pages to the left.

During a designated period, individuals who are TPS beneficiaries or who are found preliminarily eligible for TPS upon initial review of their cases (prima facie eligible): Are not removable from the United States Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD) May be granted travel authorization

Once granted TPS, an individual also cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of his or her immigration status in the United States.

Once you are granted TPS, you must re-register during each re-registration period to maintain TPS benefits.

PLEASE NOTE: You cannot obtain TPS as a derivative because your parent or child has TPS.

However, registration for TPS does not prevent you from: Applying for nonimmigrant status Filing for adjustment of status based on an immigrant petition Applying for any other immigration benefit or protection for which you may be eligible

Please be aware that some unauthorized practitioners may try to take advantage of you by claiming they can file TPS forms. These same individuals may ask that you pay them to file such forms.

A list of accredited representatives and free or low-cost legal providers is available on the USCIS website on the finding legal advice web page.

Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized organization can give you legal advice.

If you do not receive your receipt notice within three weeks of filing, you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 to request assistance.