Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is a humanitarian provision in U.S. immigration law that protects individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. In 2025, more than a dozen countries hold TPS designation, offering their nationals the opportunity to stay in the U.S. legally and work during the designation period.
As of January 2025, over 610,000 individuals from 16 countries benefit from TPS. The requirements for qualifying are rigorous, and even minor errors in the application can result in denial.
“TPS is more than a temporary status. For many families, it’s the only protection from deportation and the only chance to work legally while their country remains unsafe,” says Jennifer L. Bennett, Immigration Attorney and founder of JLB Law Group. “However, eligibility is specific, and timing is everything.”
Here’s what you need to know about qualifying for TPS in 2025.
Current Countries Designated for TPS
The Department of Homeland Security updates TPS designations periodically. As of 2025, the following countries are designated for TPS due to ongoing conflict, natural disasters, or unsafe conditions:
- Afghanistan
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Nicaragua
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
- Yemen
This list may grow or shrink depending on conditions in each country. A lawyer can confirm whether your country remains designated and help submit your application before the registration deadline.
Basic Eligibility Criteria for TPS
To qualify for TPS in 2025, you must meet all the following conditions:
- You are a national of a TPS-designated country, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in that country
- You were continuously physically present in the U.S. since before the most recent TPS designation date
- You have continuously resided in the U.S. since the date specified for your country
- You filed during the open initial or re-registration period
Even if you meet the criteria above, you may be ineligible for TPS if you have certain criminal convictions, have permanent legal status in another country, fail to meet continuous presence requirements, or are found inadmissible for other reasons.
The USCIS TPS quarterly report shows that thousands of applications are denied each year due to missing evidence or late filings. We help clients navigate the evidence and deadlines to avoid these outcomes.
What TPS Offers and What It Doesn’t
TPS provides protection from deportation and the right to apply for work authorization. However, it does not lead directly to a green card or permanent status. Nevertheless, some TPS holders may later qualify for adjustment of status through family, employment, or other means.
TPS also allows eligible applicants to apply for advance parole if they need to travel outside the U.S. But traveling without permission or failing to return within the parole window can result in disqualification.
- TPS grants: Deportation protection, work authorization, ability to apply for a travel permit
- TPS does not grant: Permanent residency, automatic path to citizenship, or legal status after TPS ends
This is why legal guidance is important. At JLB Law Group, we help TPS clients not only apply successfully, but also explore long-term immigration options if they become eligible in the future.
What to Expect in the Application Process
Applying for TPS involves completing Form I-821 and often Form I-765 for a work permit. You must also provide proof of identity, nationality, entry into the U.S., and continuous residence. Biometrics appointments are typically required.
Deadlines vary based on your country’s initial registration or re-registration window. If you miss the window, you may still apply with late filing justifications, but approval is not guaranteed.
We work with clients to ensure all forms are complete, all supporting evidence is documented, and any special filings such as late applications are supported by proper legal argument.
TPS Is an Opportunity You Shouldn’t Miss
TPS can protect you from removal and give you the ability to work while your home country remains in crisis. However, qualifying is complex and highly dependent on timing, accuracy, and evidence. Missing a deadline or submitting incomplete documentation could mean losing your only protection.
At JLB Law Group, we’ve helped hundreds of clients from TPS-designated countries file successfully and build toward more secure futures. Under Jennifer Bennett’s guidance, our team ensures no step is overlooked. Contact us now to find out if you qualify and get started today.