Syria TPS Re-Registration Period Opens

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals have been extended for 18 months from September 30, 2019 to March 31, 2021. Current beneficiaries will have until November 22, 2019 to request the extension of status and work authorization. This extension is restricted to Syrian nationals who came to the U.S. before August 1, 2016 and have continuously physically resided in the United States since October 1, 2016. New applicants will not be accepted. Beneficiaries should submit the Form I-821, Application For Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Work Authorization before the November 22, 2019 deadline. USCIS recognizes that not all work authorization applications will be granted in time before the previous one expires and will automatically extend the validity of all EADs issued under the TPS designation for 180 days, or through to March 28, 2020.

TPS is granted to certain groups of people in the wake of natural disasters, wars, outbreaks of disease, and other catastrophes that would make it difficult for them to return safely to their home countries. Government officials periodically review the program to decide whether to extend it, and most groups have received regular extensions in the past. There are currently around 7,000 Syrians who came to the United states under TPS when President Obama designated the country for protection due to its horrifying civil war in 2012. To learn more about TPS, please click here.