Afghanistan received a new 18-month designation of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, designation from May 20, 2022, through Nov. 20, 2023.USCIS estimates that approximately 72,500 individuals are eligible to file applications for TPS under the designation of Afghanistan. This will allow individuals from Afghanistan to remain in the United States and even obtain work authorization.
Eligibility for TPS:
- To be eligible for TPS, Afghans must submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) and pay the filing fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)) AND:
- Be a national of Afghanistan or noncitizen having no nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan;
- Have continuously resided in the United States since March 15, 2022; and
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since May 20, 2022.
Registration for TPS:
- The registration period will run the entire length of the designation, opening May 20, 2022, and ending Nov. 20, 2023.
- To register for TPS based on the designation of Afghanistan, you must submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) and pay the filing fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)).
- Because Afghanistan is a new TPS designation, there is a $50 fee for Form I-821, or applicants can apply for a fee waiver.
- Applicants aged 14 and over must also submit a biometrics service fee, which is $85. Individuals unable to pay the biometrics fee may submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912).
Work Authorization for TPS:
- TPS work authorization under this designation will be valid until Nov. 20, 2023.
- Afghans who want to obtain an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD, under TPS must file an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and pay the Form I-765 fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)).
- If you do not want to request an EAD when you file your I-821, you may also file Form I-765 at a later date and pay the fee (or request a fee waiver), provided that you still have TPS or a pending TPS application.
This is a big deal if you or someone you know is from Afghanistan and here in the United States. For more information or if you would like to schedule a consultation, feel free to give us a call.