Photo by Ronal Labrador on Unsplash

Approximately 111,700 people are in a position this week to extend their time in the United States. 

On September 8, 2022 the re-registration process for Venezuelan TPS (Temporary Protected Status) holders opened, and will be open until November 7, 2022, lasting 60 days. Any Venezuelan national who currently has TPS status will need to re-register during that time in order to maintain their status. 

On March 8, 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas designated Venezuela for TPS until September 2022. The TPS was designated for 18 months, however, this summer the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension of that designation for another 18 months.

The 18-month extension of TPS for Venezuela is effective from September 10, 2022, through March 10, 2024. This extension only covers Venezuelans who were already residing in the United States as of March 8, 2021. Venezuelans who arrived in the United States after March 8, 2021, are not eligible for TPS. 

CAN I STILL APPLY FOR TPS UNDER THE CURRENT (FIRST) DESIGNATION?

If you are living in the United States and are eligible for TPS as a Venezuelan but haven't applied yet, the application window has now closed. Only time will tell if it re-opens for more applicants if another extension is announced for 2024. If you are a Venezuelan nation who has a pending TPS application it will still be processed if it was filed by September 8, 2022. 

HOW DO I RE-REGISTER FOR TPS?

If you received TPS already you will need to re-register, and your employment authorization document (EAD) will also need to be renewed. Specific instructions for the re-registration process are given in the Federal Register Notice. 

You must file with USCIS another Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. There is no fee for re-registration. 

Due to the USCIS backlog, the Agency is allowing an automatic extension of work authorization cards with an expiration date of September 9, 2022 for Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries until September 9, 2023. If you would like to have your EAD extended for the full TPS validity period (through March 10, 2024) you will need to file for a renewal of your EAD by filing another Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You can also concurrently file your EAD renewal application with a Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, 

If you have questions about how you or a loved one can apply for TPS, or extend your current TPS, please reach out to us at (757) 422-8472, or send us a message on our website. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys by clicking on this link.