DHS Extends TPS for Ukraine, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Sudan for 18 months
On January 17, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the Federal Register Notices extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Sudan for an additional 18 months for existing TPS beneficiaries from these countries. TPS is a temporary, humanitarian immigration program that allows eligible nationals of a foreign country, designated by the DHS as unsafe due to certain country conditions, to live and work in the United States. During the designation period, TPS beneficiaries are eligible to obtain employment authorization (EADs) and travel authorization so long as they continue to meet the requirements of TPS.
Only existing TPS beneficiaries from these designated countries are eligible for the 18-month extension so long as they timely re-register for TPS. The DHS did not redesignate TPS for these countries so first-time applicants are not eligible to apply.
Re-Registration Period for 18-Month Extension of TPS Status
Existing beneficiaries of TPS Ukraine, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Sudan who wish to extend their TPS status for 18 months must re-register during the re-registration period specified for each country listed in the chart below. Failure to re-register within the registration period may result in the loss of TPS status.
To re-register, existing TPS beneficiaries from these countries must file Form I-821 TPS Application, online or by mail, with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These TPS beneficiaries may concurrently file the Form I-765 EAD Application for renewal of their EADs. In addition, the I-131 Application for Advance Parole may be filed concurrently with Form I-821 if the TPS beneficiary needs to travel.
NOTE: TPS applicants who have a Form I–821 or a Form I-765 that remains pending as of January 17, 2025, do not need to file these applications again. If the USCIS approves an individual's pending Form I-821 or Form I-765, the USCIS will grant the individual TPS or TPS EAD through the 18-month extension period.
Automatic Extension of TPS EADs
The DHS has automatically extended the validity period of previously issued TPS EADS, as provided in the table below:
In addition, existing TPS beneficiaries who timely file Form I-765 renewal applications during the re-registration period will be eligible for a longer automatic extension of up to 540 days from the expiration date of their current TPS EADs.
What this Means for Our Clients
The 18-month extension of TPS for Ukraine, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Sudan is welcome news as current TPS designations for these countries were set to expire in April 2025. The publication of the Federal Registration Notices is also timely as it preceded the transition to the new Administration on January 20, 2025. The TPS program remains vulnerable as Trump had terminated TPS for certain countries during his prior Administration. As such, we recommend existing TPS beneficiaries to file their Form I-821 and I-765 EAD applications as soon as possible.
Our office will reach out to individuals who are eligible for TPS re-registration. Clients should contact our office with any questions about I-9 revalidation for existing TPS beneficiaries.