Temporary Protected Status (TPS): country status, work permits and fees

What is TPS?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary humanitarian status. The Secretary of Homeland Security can designate a country whose nationals cannot safely return because of armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Eligible nationals of that country who are already in the U.S. can stay and work for the period of the designation. TPS also protects them from removal on immigration-status grounds during that period.

TPS is temporary by design. It does not lead to a green card by itself, though some holders have other paths, such as a family petition. Designations last 6, 12 or 18 months at a time. DHS must review each one at least 60 days before it expires. Under the TPS statute, if DHS does not publish a decision in time, the designation is automatically extended for 6 months.

Who is eligible for TPS?

• You are a national of a designated country, or a person without nationality who last habitually lived there.
• You have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since the effective date of the most recent designation, and continuously residing here since the date DHS specifies.
• You file during the registration or re-registration period. Late initial filing is allowed only in limited situations.
• You are not barred. Bars include certain criminal convictions (any felony, or two or more misdemeanors in the U.S.), persecution of others, and security grounds.

TPS country status as of October 28, 2026

In 2025 and 2026 DHS published termination notices for most TPS countries. Lawsuits delayed several of them. On June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court decided Mullin v. Doe (Nos. 25-1083 and 25-1084) by a 6–3 vote. It held that the TPS statute bars courts from reviewing most non-constitutional challenges to designation decisions, which allowed the Haiti and Syria terminations to take effect. Other terminations then took effect as lower courts lifted their orders. The table summarizes each country's status. Always check the USCIS country page and the Federal Register before acting.

For several terminated countries, including Burma, South Sudan, Yemen and Haiti, the date protection actually ended moved during litigation, so the date in the termination notice may not be the final one. In the Venezuela litigation, on October 5, 2026 the Supreme Court vacated a Ninth Circuit judgment (Mullin v. National TPS Alliance, No. 26-48) and sent the case back for further consideration in light of Mullin v. Doe. Check the USCIS TPS page for your country to confirm your exact end date.

If your country's TPS has ended

TPS work permits (EADs): how long they last

• Under H.R. 1, TPS work authorization is limited to one year or the remaining length of the designation, whichever is shorter.
• Since an October 30, 2025 interim rule, which became final effective October 14, 2026 (91 FR 65306), renewal applications in many categories no longer get automatic extensions. TPS extensions are handled through Federal Register notices for each country. Follow the instructions in your country's notice and file as early as allowed.
• Employers should rely on official USCIS guidance for Form I-9 when a designation's status is unclear. See our employer guides.

How much does TPS cost? Fees as of October 2026

H.R. 1 fees are adjusted for inflation every year. The fiscal year 2027 amounts apply to filings postmarked on or after October 16, 2026 (91 FR 62540, published October 1, 2026).

Other USCIS filing or biometrics fees may also apply depending on your filing. Filings with the wrong fee are rejected, so use the USCIS fee calculator and the current form instructions. Under 8 CFR 106.2, the I-821 applicant also owes a separate $30 biometric services fee, which can be waived on request. See also our USCIS fees guide.

Common problems and risks

• Missing a re-registration window. Late filing generally needs good cause.
• Relying on social media or "consultants" about extensions. Only the Federal Register and USCIS are authoritative. See how to avoid immigration scams.
• Assuming TPS will be renewed. Plan for alternatives early.
• Traveling without the correct travel authorization and legal advice.

What to ask an attorney

• When exactly does my TPS and work authorization end?
• Do I have any other status, pending application or path to a green card?
• If I was inspected and admitted, or paroled, does that open other options?
• What happens if I am placed in removal proceedings? (See detention and deportation help.)

To check whether a recent TPS decision affects you, use the rule checker. To talk with a lawyer, email us to be connected with a participating immigration attorney or find free legal help.

This guide gives general information, not legal advice. TPS decisions and court orders can change quickly, so check official sources and talk to a qualified attorney or accredited representative.