What TPS provides and how it works
Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian benefit established under the Immigration Act of 1990 (INA §244). The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a country for TPS when conditions in that country prevent nationals from returning safely: ongoing armed conflict (civil war), an environmental disaster (earthquake, hurricane, epidemic), or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. TPS designation is not automatic — DHS makes the determination and publishes it in the Federal Register.
TPS provides: (1) a stay of deportation during the designation period; (2) an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for work in the US; and (3) authorization for travel (on a case-by-case basis via advance parole). TPS does not confer lawful immigration status — it is a protection from removal, not a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa.
Currently designated countries (as of mid-2026)
TPS designations change as country conditions evolve. As of mid-2026, countries with active TPS designations include: Venezuela, Ukraine, Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, and several others. Each designation has a specific registration period and expiration date. DHS can extend, redesignate, or terminate designations. Always verify current designations at uscis.gov/tps.
Applying for TPS: initial registration and re-registration
To register for TPS, file Forms I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) and I-765 (Employment Authorization) during the open registration period announced by USCIS. You must: be a national of a designated country (or have last habitually resided there), have been continuously present in the US since the designation date (or subsequent cut-off), and not be barred by certain criminal convictions, terrorism-related activities, or other inadmissibility grounds.
Current TPS holders must re-register during each re-registration period (announced in the Federal Register) to maintain their status and EAD. Missing the re-registration window can result in a gap in TPS and work authorization.
Related Questions
Does TPS lead to a green card?
TPS alone does not provide a path to permanent residence. However, some TPS holders may qualify for a green card through separate categories (marriage to a US citizen, employment sponsorship, etc.). A key legal question — whether TPS counts as an 'inspection and admission' for adjustment of status purposes — has been litigated, with different circuit courts reaching different conclusions.
Can TPS holders travel internationally?
TPS holders can apply for advance parole (travel authorization) on a case-by-case basis. Traveling without advance parole may result in being unable to re-enter the US. Travel to your home country may complicate future immigration applications.
What is the difference between TPS and DACA?
TPS protects nationals of specific designated countries based on country conditions; DACA protects individuals who arrived in the US as children before a specific date. They are separate programs with different eligibility criteria. Some individuals may qualify for both.
What documents do I need to apply for TPS?
Identity and nationality documents (passport or national ID from the TPS country), evidence of continuous US residence since the cut-off date (utility bills, lease agreements, school records, tax returns), and completed Forms I-821 and I-765 with the appropriate fees.
Can a country lose TPS designation?
Yes. DHS reviews each TPS designation periodically and can terminate it if conditions in the country improve. Termination triggers a wind-down period during which current TPS holders retain status temporarily before it expires. Termination decisions have been legally challenged with varying outcomes.
Official Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; always confirm with the official government source before acting.