Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Covered Countries & Renewal

What is Temporary Protected Status, exactly?

The US Department of Homeland Security grants TPS designation to nationals of specific countries already inside the United States, when their home countries are going through extraordinary conditions that prevent a safe return — an ongoing armed conflict, a major environmental disaster, or other temporary extraordinary circumstances that make a safe return practically impossible right now. Someone who gets this designation is temporarily protected from removal and can apply for a work permit, but it doesn't grant a green card or any direct path to citizenship on its own.

Which countries are actually designated as of September 2026

This is the most important point in this whole topic, and the one many people get wrong by relying on outdated information: as of September 2026, the official list of designated countries includes only El Salvador, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Lebanon specifically has a previously announced automatic extension running for several months as part of its normal renewal cycle. Venezuela's situation is more complex because of ongoing litigation that affected some categories of work-permit holders differently than others; someone holding a work permit issued before a specific date with validity extended to a later date may still be covered despite the wider case's complications, while the same protection may not apply to someone who got their permit after that date. This kind of fine detail is what separates one case from another within the same nationality, and it's another reason not to rely on general statements.

This specifically means Yemeni, Syrian, and Somali nationals are no longer covered by TPS as of this guide's writing, even though these countries were covered in previous years. Anyone who was relying on this designation for their country from this list should look immediately for alternative legal paths rather than waiting for a new decision that may never come, such as filing for asylum if their individual circumstances meet its requirements.

Why is this list so volatile?

Every TPS designation has a set period that ends on a specific date, and before that date DHS decides to either extend the designation, terminate it, or extend it only for a short transitional period. The decision depends on a periodic assessment of conditions in the home country, and it's a political and administrative decision that can sometimes be challenged in court, as happened with Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. This is exactly why you shouldn't rely on an old article or news item; the actual status is published only on USCIS's official TPS page, updated whenever a new decision is issued. Even news circulating in Arab community social media groups, however well-intentioned the people sharing it usually are, can be weeks behind the latest official decision, or can confuse one country's situation with another's because the circumstances look similar.

How do you register for the first time?

1. Confirm your country has a currently open registration window. Every country has an officially announced registration period in the Federal Register, and filing outside that window isn't possible except in limited special cases.
2. File Form I-821. This is the actual status registration application, attached with proof of nationality and continuous US residence since the date specified for your country.
3. File I-765 if you want a work permit. Not mandatory, but very common, since most people who get TPS want to work lawfully right away.
4. Keep proof of approval. The approval notice and the work permit card are the official record of your legal status for the entire designation period.

Registering for TPS through I-821 has a filing fee on USCIS's official fee schedule, which can vary depending on your situation — first-time registration versus re-registration — and some categories may be exempt from the fee based on individual circumstances. The I-765 work permit fee is entirely separate. Always check the Fee Schedule (G-1055) directly before filing rather than relying on an old number, since both fees are subject to periodic adjustment.

Re-registration: don't assume automatic continuity

Even if your country stays designated under TPS, that doesn't mean your personal status continues automatically. Every renewal cycle usually requires re-registering within a specific window officially announced separately for each country. Missing the re-registration window can mean losing lawful status and starting from zero, even if your country itself is still officially designated. In many ways, this is practically similar to renewing a passport or a driver's license; the country-wide designation stays in place, but your individual file needs an entirely separate periodic update independent of the country-level decision. Don't expect a personal reminder notice every time; some notices are mailed, but relying on your own tracking is safer than waiting for a letter that could be delayed or lost.

What about work authorization when a designation period ends?

DHS sometimes issues automatic extensions of work permit validity during the transitional period between a designation ending and a new decision being issued, to avoid a sudden disruption to thousands of people's right to work while applications are processed. But this isn't a fixed rule that automatically applies to every country or every case; the specific notice for each country is what determines whether there's an automatic extension, and for exactly how long. Never assume your card is automatically valid past its printed expiration date without checking a specific official notice that names your country. Some employers hesitate to accept a card with an expired printed date even when it's covered by an announced automatic extension, so it's worth keeping a copy of the official notice itself — not just a link or a screenshot from an unofficial site — to show an employer or any party that asks for proof of continued work authorization.

TPS is not a substitute for a green card or asylum

This confusion is very common: TPS is a temporary status tied to a country's designation, and it ends when that designation ends or is officially terminated, however long it actually lasted. Anyone who wants a permanent status needs an entirely separate path — such as marrying a US citizen, family sponsorship, or an independent asylum claim if their case meets its requirements. TPS itself doesn't grant any automatic priority toward a green card, though a handful of rare court cases have allowed specific individuals to adjust status based on complex individual circumstances that don't apply to everyone. The most important practical difference: an asylum claim needs proof of individual fear of persecution tied to specific legal grounds, while TPS is granted collectively to all nationals of a given country regardless of their individual personal circumstances, as long as they meet continuous residence and timely registration requirements. Anyone who has both options available — because their country is TPS-designated and they also have a potential individual asylum case — should practically consult a specialist to determine which path suits their long-term situation better, since each path carries entirely different consequences for the future of their legal status.

Common mistakes

• Relying on outdated information about previously covered countries — Yemen, Syria, and Somalia are no longer covered as of September 2026, despite the common belief otherwise.
• Missing the re-registration window — means losing status even if the country's designation itself continues.
• Assuming an automatic work permit extension without checking — not a universal rule that applies to every case.
• Confusing TPS with a green card — two completely different statuses in terms of permanence and rights.
• Paying someone who claims they can "guarantee" a designation's continuation — it's a political and administrative decision no individual or broker controls, and this kind of promise is covered in our immigration scams guide.

What to do now

First check USCIS's official page to find your specific country's status, since any information older than a few months may already be out of date. If your country is among those whose designation ended, look for alternative paths that may apply to your individual case instead of waiting on the hope the designation returns, since that assumption could cost you valuable time and other legal opportunities if it doesn't happen. See our asylum basics guide if your personal circumstances meet its requirements. Anyone already registered under TPS should see our EAD work permit guide for the full detail on renewing work authorization, and don't hesitate to consult a trustworthy immigration lawyer whenever you're unsure about your legal status instead of guessing or relying on someone else's experience that may differ entirely from your own circumstances. Anyone already registered under TPS who needs additional help should also see our Medicaid for immigrants guide to check eligibility for limited assistance programs under this specific temporary status.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources we reviewed

• USCIS — Temporary Protected Status ↗
• USCIS — I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status ↗
• USCIS — I-765, Application for Employment Authorization ↗
• USCIS — Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) ↗