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Over 700,000 Venezuelans will be able to benefit from the Department of Homeland Security's latest announcement about Temporary Protected Status (TPS). 

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for TPS for 18 months, due to the unstable and dangerous conditions in Venezuela that prevent Venezuelan nationals from safely returning to their country. 

As long as Venezuelans were living in the U.S. before July 31, 2023, were continuously physically present in the United States on or before October 3, 2023, and meet other TPS requirements, they can apply for temporary protection from removal, as well as employment authorization (EAD). The initial registration period for new Venezuelan TPS applicants runs from October 3, 2023 through April 2, 2025.

How Do I Re-Register for Temporary Protected Status?

For Venezuelans who are already registered as TPS beneficiaries, the 60-day period for them to re-register runs from January 10, 2024, through March 10, 2024.  

If current TPS recipients of Venezuelan TPS re-register and continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements, they can retain TPS and employment authorization through September 10, 2025. DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants may receive a new EAD before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through March 10, 2025, the validity of certain EADs previously issued under Venezuela 2021. However, you must still file for a renewal of your EAD by filing another Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. 

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. 

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

• Recipients must have been in the United States since July 31, 2023
• Recipients must have been continuously physically present in the United States since October 3, 2023
• TPS extended through TPS through September 10, 2025
• Re-registration period runs from January 10, 2024, through March 10, 2024
• For new applicants of TPS for Venezuela, the initial registration period runs from October 3, 2023 through April 2, 2025

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.