What is Temporary Protected Status or TPS?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigrant status for immigrants already located in the United States. Your eligibility for TPS will depend on various factors, including what country you are from. The United States recognizes that some countries are very dangerous, so if you’re eligible and you apply before the deadline, then you will be able to receive a short-term work permit and continue to reside in the U.S.

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for TPS?

To be eligible to apply for TPS, you must be from one of the designated countries and also fit into the following criteria:

• You must be a national of a country designated for TPS
• You must file for TPS during the initial registration or re-registration period, or you meet the requirements for late initial filing during any extension of your country’s TPS designation
• You have been present in the U.S. since the date that your TPS is effective for your designated country
• You have been residing in the U.S. since the date specified for your country

Criteria that may disqualify you from being able to apply for TPS

Even if you meet the requirements to apply for TPS, there are some circumstances where you can still be disqualified from submitting a successful application, which are listed below:

• You have been convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors while living in the U.S.
• You are found inadmissible as an immigrant due to non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds
• You have participated in activities that would bar you from asylum, which could include participating in the persecution of another individual or engaging in terrorist activity
• You fail to meet the requirements for continuously staying and residing in the U.S.
• You do not submit your application in time or do not meet the eligibility criteria
• You do not to re-register for TPS (if your initial application was accepted) without a good reason

There are a few exceptions to each of these criteria, such as late filing, and brief trips. If you have questions about whether or not you qualify for TPS or for a TPS renewal, consult with an immigration attorney to know your best options.

Countries eligible for Temporary Protected Status

The dates for TPS eligibility and TPS filing vary depending on which country you are from. The countries that are currently eligible, as of January 2024, for Temporary Protected Status in the United States, include:

This list changes frequently, so you should check the USCIS website here to stay updated on the current list of countries that are eligible for Temporary Protected Status and their respective filing periods.

What are my long-term immigration options?

Remember, if conditions in your home country improve, or if the U.S. gets a new president that wants to change current immigration policies, then your TPS for you and your country may end.

Your long-term options may include getting a Green Card through a family member or a spouse, getting a visa or a Green Card through an employer, or applying for asylum. Talk to an immigration attorney about your options if you believe you may be eligible for another immigration matter.

Attorney Tim Jones

Attorney Tim Jones regularly files cases for Temporary Protected Status. We’ve represented clients from most TPS countries; most of our TPS clients come from Ukraine, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Central America. Regardless of which country you’re from, we’re happy to discuss your TPS case. If you have questions regarding the TPS application or your potential eligibility, contact us today and schedule a consultation.