1. There is an ongoing armed conflict within the state and, due to that conflict, return of nationals to that state would pose a serious threat to their personal safety;
   
   
2. The state has suffered an environmental disaster resulting in a substantial, temporary disruption of living conditions, the state is temporarily unable to handle adequately the return of its nationals, and the state has requested TPS designation; or
   
   
3. There exist other extraordinary and temporary conditions in the state that prevent nationals from returning in safety, unless the Attorney General finds that permitting nationals of the state to remain temporarily is contrary to the national interest of the United States.

• You are a national of a country designated by the Attorney General for temporary protected status. (You may also be eligible if you are a person who has no nationality but last habitually resided in a designated country). Please see our list of countries designated for temporary protected status.
  
  
• You apply for TPS during the specified registration period. The registration period is stated in Federal Register notices of designation and is also generally advertised in INS press releases. For specific Federal Register notice cites, please see our list of countries designated for temporary protected status.
  
  
• You have been continuously physically present in the United States since the temporary protected status designation began, or since the effective date of the most recent re-designation. For dates of specific country designations, please see our list of countries designated for temporary protected status.
  
  
• You have continuously resided in the United States since a date specified by the Attorney General. (Note: This date is listed in the Federal Register notice of designation and may be different than the date temporary protected status became effective.)
  
  
• You are admissible as an immigrant and are not otherwise ineligible for TPS. Applicable grounds of inadmissibility and bases for ineligibility are specified in CFR 244.3 and 244.4, respectively. You may also consult the instructions on INS Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status).

How Do I Apply?
If you are applying for TPS for the first time, you must complete INS Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) and submit a filing fee, supporting evidence of identity and nationality, proof of residence, two identical color photos, and, if you are age 14 or older, a fee for fingerprinting. If you are between the ages of 14 and 65 and want employment authorization, you should also complete and submit INS Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) with the appropriate fee. Applicants who already have or do not wish to receive employment authorization still must submit a completed INS Form I-765, but without the accompanying fee. If you are over the age of 14, you will be called by the INS for fingerprinting after you send in your application.

If you are granted TPS, you must re-register with the INS for each period that your TPS benefits are extended. To re-register, submit a completed INS Form I-821 and INS Form I-765 during the period stated in the Federal Register notice of extension of the TPS designation. You do not have to send in another fee for INS Form I-821, but you must submit a fee for INS Form I-765 if you are between the ages of 14 and 65 and are requesting employment authorization. If you do not re-register each period, your temporary protected status will be withdrawn.

Forms are available by calling 1-800-870-3676, by viewing our online Forms Page, or by submitting a request through our forms by mail system. After receiving your forms, read the instructions carefully and note the documentation that must be submitted. For further information on filing fees, please see INS filing fees, fee waiver request procedures, and the INS fee waiver policy memo. Please see our fingerprinting Webpage for more information on INS fingerprinting procedures.

IMPORTANT! A new application fee structure will be in effect as of 02/19/02. Fees will be as follows:

If you are applying for TPS under a designation other than El Salvador, Honduras, or Nicaragua, submit your application package to the local INS district office that serves the area where you live.

If you are from El Salvador, Honduras, or Nicaragua, send your application to the INS Service Center that serves that area where you live. Please see the INS field offices Homepage for more information on INS local offices and Service Centers.

Will I Get a Work Permit?
If your TPS application is approved, you will receive work authorization (if requested). At the same time you apply for temporary protected status, you must submit INS Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and the appropriate fee to apply for a work permit. Applicants who already have or do not wish to receive employment authorization still must submit a completed INS Form I-765, but without the required fee. Please see How Do I Get a Work Permit? for more information.

May I Travel Outside the United States?
An individual granted TPS must remain continuously physically present in the United States. The grant of TPS status does not mean that you have permission to travel abroad, though permission to travel may be granted by the district director according to the Service's advance parole provisions. There is no appeal to a denial of advance parole. Failure to obtain advance parole prior to traveling abroad may result in the withdrawal of your TPS and/or the institution or re-calendaring of removal proceedings. For more information, please see How Do I Get a Travel Document?

How Can I Check the Status of My Application?
Please contact the INS office that received your application. You should be prepared to provide the INS staff with specific information about your application. Please click here for complete instructions on checking the status of your application. Please click here for more information on INS offices.

May I Appeal?
If your application for temporary protected status is denied, you will receive instructions telling you whether or not you are allowed to appeal the decision. Instructions on how to appeal will be included in the notice of denial. If you need more information, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application? as well as at 8 CFR § 244.10 in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Can Anyone Help Me?
If advice is needed, you may contact the INS District Office near your home for a list of community-based, non-profit organizations that may be able to assist you in applying for an immigration benefit. Please see our INS field offices home page for more information on contacting INS offices. In addition, please see our Webpage that provides information on free legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Do you want further information? Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.

The above information has been obtained from INS and was last modified on 7/18/2002