Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Afghanistan
ALERT: On Sept. 21, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, through May 20, 2025. A Federal Register notice also provides an automatic extension through Nov. 20, 2024, of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) of existing beneficiaries of Afghanistan TPS.
| TPS Designated Through: | May 20, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Re-Registration Period for People Who Already Have TPS: | Sep. 25, 2023 – Nov. 24, 2023 |
| Registration Period for People Who are Applying for TPS for the First Time: | Sept. 25, 2023 - May 20, 2025 |
| Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Auto-Extended Through: | Nov. 20, 2024 |
| Continuous Residence in U.S. Since: | Sep. 20, 2023 |
| Continuous Physical Presence in U.S. Since: | Nov. 21, 2023 |
| Initial TPS Designation Date: | May 20, 2022 |
| Current TPS Designation Date: | Nov. 21, 2023 |
| Federal Register Notice Citation: | 88 FR 65728 |
Note for Afghan nationals paroled into the United States: You are eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as well as any other immigration status for which you may be eligible. You must meet all eligibility requirements to be approved for TPS. TPS does not lead to any immigration status, including lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card).
یاداشت برای آنعده از اتباع افغانستان که با پارول یا اجازه موقت داخل امریکا شده اند: شما واجد شرایط درخواست اقامت محفوظ موقت یا TPS هستید، همانگونه که برای هر فرصت مهاجرتی دیگر نیز میتوانید مطابق شرایط مربوطه درخواست بدهید. برای اینکه درخواستی اقامت محفوظ موقت شما قبول و منظور گردد، باید واجد تمامی شرایط مربوطه باشید. داشتن اقامت محفوظ موقت منتج به دریافت فرصت های مهاجرتی دیگر بشمول اقامت دایمی یا گرین کارت نمیشود.
په متحده ایالاتو کې د افغان وګړو لپاره چې د پارول یا موقتې اقامې اجازه یې تر لاسه کړي وي: کیدای شي تاسو هم د موقت محافظت اقامت یا TPS د تقاضا، او یا د کډوالۍ نورو حالاتو لپاره چې کیدای شي تاسو یې وړتیا ولري، وړ و اوسئ. تاسو باید د وړتیا ټول شرایط پوره کړي تر څو د موقت محافظت اقامت لپاره تایید تر لاسه کړئ. موقت محافظتي اقامت نه شي کولی د کډوالۍ هیڅ ډول حیثیت ته، د دایمې قانوني استوګنې حیثیت (شین کارت) په شمول، لاره هواره کړي.
If you currently have TPS under Afghanistan’s designation and would like to keep your TPS, you must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from Sept. 25, 2023 – Nov. 24, 2023. We encourage you to re-register as soon as possible within the 60-day re-registration period.
If you are filing an initial application for TPS under Afghanistan’s redesignation, effective Nov. 21, 2023, you must register during the period that runs from Sept. 25, 2023 through May 20, 2025. We encourage you to register as soon as possible within the registration period.
If you filed Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, as of Sept. 25, 2023, you do not need to file either application again. If we approve your pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the previous designation of TPS for Afghanistan, we will grant you TPS through May 20, 2025, and send you an EAD valid through the same date.
If you are applying for TPS Afghanistan, you may file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, online. When filing an initial TPS application or re-registering for TPS, you can also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online with your Form I-821.
If you are filing a paper initial TPS application or re-registering for TPS, or if you are filing for a replacement EAD for TPS you were already granted, send your TPS package to the appropriate address in the table below.
| If you live in: | Then, mail your application to: |
|---|---|
|
U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCISAttn: TPS Afghanistan (Box 20300) 2108 E. Elliot Rd. Tempe, AZ 85284-1806 |
|
U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCISAttn: TPS Afghanistan (Box 805282) 131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60603-5517 |
Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension
USCIS has automatically extended through Nov. 20, 2024, the validity of (EADs) issued with a Nov. 20 , 2023, expiration date under the TPS designation of Afghanistan. If your EAD is covered through this automatic extension, you may continue to use your existing EAD through Nov. 20, 2024, as evidence you are authorized to work.
To prove that you are authorized to work in the United States, you may show the following documentation to your employer. Government agencies may also accept these documents if they need to determine your immigration status:
- Your TPS-related EAD with a Nov. 20, 2023, expiration date; and
- A copy of the Federal Register notice announcing the automatic extension.
Your employer may rely on the Federal Register notice as evidence of the continuing validity of your EAD. Go to the Documentation Employers May Accept and Temporary Protected Status Beneficiaries May Present as Evidence of Employment Eligibility page for more information.
If we approve your TPS registration application and you filed Form I-765 and paid the fee for an EAD (or if we approved your fee waiver request), we will issue you an EAD with an expiration date of Nov. 20, 2023. We will issue employment authorization documentation, as appropriate, during the registration period. See 8 CFR 244.5(b).
For more information on TPS eligibility requirements, what to file, and step-by-step instructions on submitting an initial TPS application package, go to the TPS page.
You might be eligible for other immigration options listed on the Explore My Options page.
To apply for lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card), you must be eligible under one of the categories listed on the Green Card Eligibility Categories page. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.
Note on Seeking Asylum: Being granted and maintaining TPS until a reasonable period before the filing of the asylum application is considered an extraordinary circumstance for the purposes of the 1-year filing deadline. In other words, having TPS status “stops the clock” on the requirement to file for asylum within 1 year of arriving in the United States, if the 1-year clock has not already expired. See 8 CFR 208.4(a)(5)(iv).
Please be aware that some unauthorized practitioners may try to take advantage of you by claiming they can file TPS forms. These same individuals may ask that you pay them to file such forms. We want to ensure that all potential TPS applicants know how to obtain legitimate, accurate legal advice and assistance. A list of accredited representatives and free or low-cost legal providers is available on the USCIS Find Legal Services webpage.
We don’t want you to become a victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized organization can give you legal advice. Visit the Avoid Scams page for information and resources.