DHS extends TPS for nationals of El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine & Venezuela

On January 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

DHS designates certain countries for TPS where ongoing extraordinary and temporary conditions in their home country (often armed conflict or natural disaster) prevent nationals from returning safely to their home country.

TPS designations are valid for 18-month increments and may be extended by the DHS Secretary.

People granted TPS also receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for the duration of their TPS period.

Importantly, not all nationals of TPS designated countries residing in the United States are eligible for TPS. To be eligible, nationals of TPS designated countries must have resided in the United States on a designated date, been continuously physically present in the United States from a specified date and registered during the TPS registration period for their country. If a person did not register during the initial registration period and timely re-register during subsequent TPS extensions, absent compelling circumstances, they will not qualify for TPS during subsequent TPS extensions.

In general, to qualify for TPS, a person must:

• Be a national of a TPS designated country, and
• Have previously filed during the registration period (or, if a registration period is still open, register now), and
• Have been continuously physically present in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of their country, and
• Have been continuously residing in the United States since the date specified for their country.

A person is not eligible for TPS if they:

• Have been convicted of a felony or two or more serious misdemeanor offenses in the United States, or
• Are inadmissible under certain sections of 212(a) of the Immigration & Nationality Act (INA), or
• Are subject to mandatory asylum bars.

Each TPS designated country has specific dates of designation, residence and continuous physical presence requirements and extension. The United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has extensive information on each TPS designated country and information about how to apply HERE.

EL SALVADOR

Secretary Mayorkas has extended the TPS designation for El Salvador from March 10, 2025, through September 9, 2026.

El Salvadoran nationals residing in the United States who currently hold TPS can apply to extend their TPS. Those who timely file for an extension of TPS will benefit from an automatic 12-month extension of their current EAD while their application for TPS extension is pending.

DHS initially designated El Salvador for TPS on March 9, 2001. DHS has extended the TPS designation for El Salvador every 18 months since that time. To qualify for TPS, nationals of El Salvador must have resided in the United States since February 13, 2001, been continuously physically present in the United States since March 9, 2001. They must have registered during the initial registration period in 2001, and continued to re-register every 18 months since that time.

Information regarding TPS initial and re-registration for nationals of El Salvador can be found here: TPS – El Salvador.

SUDAN

Secretary Mayorkas has extended the TPS designation for Sudan from April 20, 2025, through October 19, 2026.

DHS initially designated Sudan for TPS in 1997, re-designated in 2013 and most recently re-designated for TPS on October 20, 2023. On October 20, 2023, DHS extended and re-designated Sudan for TPS, opening up a new TPS registration period for Sudanese nationals between August 21, 2023, and April 19, 2025. This registration period is currently open for first time TPS applicants. Therefore, nationals of Sudan who resided in the United States on August 16, 2023, and who have been continuously physically present in the USA since October 20, 2023, can apply for their initial TPS if they apply before April 19, 2025.

Nationals of Sudan who already have TPS can apply for an extension of TPS. Those who timely file for an extension of TPS will benefit from an automatic 12-month extension of their current EAD while their application for TPS extension is pending.

Information regarding TPS initial and re-registration for nationals of Sudan can be found here: TPS – Sudan.

UKRAINE

Secretary Mayorkas has extended the TPS designation for Ukraine from April 20, 2025, through October 19, 2026.

DHS initially designated Ukraine for TPS on April 19, 2022. The initial registration period for Ukraine was April 19, 2022, through October 19, 2023. On October 20, 2023, DHS extended and re-designated Ukraine for TPS, opening up a new registration period between August 21, 2023, and April 19, 2025. This registration period is currently open for first time TPS applicants. Therefore, nationals of Ukraine who resided in the United States on August 16, 2023, and who have been continuously physically present in the USA since October 20, 2023, can apply for their initial TPS if they apply before April 19, 2025.
Nationals of Ukraine who already have TPS can apply for an extension of TPS. Those who timely file for an extension of TPS will benefit from an automatic 12-month extension of their current EAD while their application for TPS extension is pending. people who already have TPS and who timely file for an extension of TPS

Information regarding TPS initial and re-registration for nationals of Ukraine can be found here: TPS – Ukraine.

VENEZUELA

Secretary Mayorkas has extended the TPS designation for Venezuela from April 3, 2025, through October 2, 2026.

DHS initially designated Venezuela for TPS on March 9, 2021. On October 3, 2023, DHS extended and re-designated Venezuela for TPS, opening up a new registration period between October 3, 2023, and April 2, 2025. This registration period is currently open for first time Venezuelan TPS applicants. Therefore, nationals of Venezuela who resided in the United States on July 31, 2023, and who have been continuously physically present in the USA since October 3, 2023, can apply for their initial TPS if they apply before April 2, 2025.

Nationals of Venezuela who already hold TPS can apply for an extension of TPS. Those who timely file for an extension of TPS will benefit from an automatic 12-month extension of their current EAD while their application for TPS extension is pending.

Information regarding TPS initial and re-registration for nationals of Venezuela can be found here: TPS – Venezuela.

For more information on TPS, or other immigration matters, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C.