Almost a quarter of a million people in the United States may feel a lot safer after recent announcements from Secretary Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security ensured that TPS (Temporary Protected Status) will be extended and redesignated for the nations of Sudan, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.

It's very important to pay close attention to renewal dates if you are a TPS recipient of Sudan, Ukraine, or Afghanistan, because any gaps in TPS coverage can affect the validity of your EAD (Employee Authorization Document). Any TPS recipient needing to stay on TPS status will need to renew with USCIS during the re-registration periods listed for their countries in order to maintain their status.

The eligibility criteria, extensions, and registration period for each country's renewal is as follows:

• Sudan
• Recipients must have been in the United States since August 16, 2023
• TPS extended through TPS through April 19, 2025
• Re-registration period runs from August 21, 2023 through October 20, 2023
• For new applicants of TPS for Sudan, the initial registration period runs from August 21, 2023 through April 19, 2025

• Ukraine
• Recipients must have been in the United States since August 16, 2023
• TPS extended through TPS through April 19, 2025
• Re-registration period runs from August 21, 2023 through October 20, 2023
• For new applicants of TPS for Ukraine, the initial registration period runs from August 21, 2023 and will remain in effect through April 19, 2025

• Afghanistan
• Recipients must have been in the United States since September 20, 2023
• TPS extended through TPS through May 20, 2025
• Re-registration period runs from September 25, 2023 through November 24, 2023
• For new applicants of TPS for Afghanistan, the initial registration period runs from September 25, 2023 and will remain in effect through May 20, 2025

How Do I Re-Register for Temporary Protected Status?

You must file with USCIS another Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. If you are on benefits and/or are considered low income you may be able to file for free with a Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. 

Due to the USCIS backlog, the Agency is allowing an automatic extension of work authorization cards for current TPS recipients of the nations above. 

If you are a Ukrainian TPS recipient, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain EADs (with expiration dates of October 19, 2023) previously issued under the TPS designation of Ukraine through October 19, 2024. 

If you are an Afghan TPS recipient, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain EADs (with expiration dates of November 20, 2023) previously issued under the TPS designation of Afghanistan through November 20, 2024. 

If you are a Sudanese TPS recipient, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain EADs (with expiration dates of October 19, 2023) previously issued under the TPS designation of Sudan through October 19, 2024. 

If you would like to have your EAD extended for the full TPS validity period you will need to file for a renewal of your EAD by filing another Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. 

If you need assistance with applying for TPS or another immigration petition, 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.