United States Temporary Protected Status

To be eligible for Temporary Protected Status in the USA, you must:

• Be a national of a country designated for TPS,
• File during the open initial registration or re-registration period,
• Have been substantially present in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of your country; and
• Have been continuously residing in the United States since the date specified for your country.

You may NOT be eligible for TPS or to maintain your existing TPS if you:

• Have been condemned of any felony or two or more wrongdoings filed in the United States;
• Are found excluded as an immigrant under applicable grounds in INA section 212(a), including non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds;
• Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum.
• Fail to meet the constant physical presence in the United States;
• Fail to meet initial or late initial TPS registration requirements; or
• If granted TPS, you fail to re-register for TPS, as required, without good cause.

Find the TPS application steps detailed below.

Step 1: File Your Petition

Step 2: USCIS Receives Your Application

Step 3: USCIS Contacts You

Step 4: Go to the ASC

Step 5: USCIS Determines Work Eligibility

Step 6: USCIS Adjudicates the Application Step 7: USCIS Approves or Denies the Application

You must submit the essential forms, evidence, filing fees, or fee waiver request when filing your Temporary Protected Status. Below is information about what you must submit in your TPS. Please also check your country’s exact TPS webpage to the left to see if there are any special filing instructions exact to your TPS-designated country.

Forms

• Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status
• Form I-765, Request for Employment Authorization,

The following table explains the different types of evidence you can provide.

Primary Evidence           

• A copy of your passport;
• A copy of your birth certificate, accompanied by photo identification; and/or Any national identity document bearing your photograph and/or fingerprint issued by your country,

No Primary Evidence    

• If you do not have any of the primary evidence listed above, you must submit an affidavit with:
• evidence of your failed efforts to obtain such documents; and
• A clarification why the consular process for your country was unavailable to you, and affirming that you are a national of your country.

Secondary Evidence      

• Nationality documentation, such as a naturalization certificate, even if it does not have your photograph and fingerprint;
• Your baptismal certificate if it indicates your nationality or a parent’s nationality;
• Copies of your school or medical records if they have information supporting your claim that you are a national from a country designated for TPS;
• Copies of other immigration documents showing your nationality and identity; or
• Affidavits from friends or family members who have close personal knowledge of the date and place of your birth and your parents’ nationality.

The Government Fees for Temporary Protected Status varies.

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