Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — Form I-821
Complete guide to USCIS Form I-821 for Temporary Protected Status: who qualifies, fees ($50 initial / $0 re-registration), EAD validity, OBBBA 1-year EAD limit effective 2026-05-29, designated countries.
Legal basis
INA § 244 — 8 U.S.C. § 1254aTemporary Protected Status (TPS) — Form I-821
Download the official form
USCIS publishes Form I-821 as a free PDF. Always download the current version directly from USCIS — third-party copies may be outdated.
- Download Form I-821 (PDF) — official USCIS source
- Download Instructions for Form I-821 (PDF) — read before filling out the form
- File Form I-821 online with USCIS (where supported)
⚠️ OBBBA change effective 2026-05-29
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1, Public Law 119-21) shortens the maximum validity of TPS Employment Authorization Documents.
| Before H.R.1 | After H.R.1 (2026-05-29+) | |
|---|---|---|
| TPS EAD maximum validity | Up to 18 months | 1 year maximum (or remaining TPS designation, whichever is shorter) |
| Effect on renewal cadence | Annual or less | Annual at minimum |
| Statutory basis | Prior USCIS regulation | 8 U.S.C. 1803(c), 8 U.S.C. 1811(a) |
Source: Federal Register document 2026-08333.
Practical impact: TPS recipients must re-register and refile EAD applications more frequently. Plan for renewal at least 90 days before expiration to avoid employment authorization gaps.
Who qualifies
To qualify for TPS, you must:
- Be a national of a country that DHS has designated for TPS (or a stateless person who last habitually resided in such a country)
- Have been continuously physically present (CPP) in the US since the effective date of the designation for your country
- Have been continuously residing (CR) in the US since the date specified for your country
- File during a designated registration period (initial registration window OR each re-registration period)
- Not be inadmissible under specific criminal or national security grounds
Each TPS designation has its own specific dates and conditions. The Federal Register notice for each country designation is the authoritative source.
Currently designated countries (verify before filing)
DHS designations change. As of the last verification date on this page, designated countries include various Latin American, Caribbean, African, and Middle Eastern nations. Always check the current DHS designations list before filing because designations expire, get extended, or are terminated:
- USCIS TPS designated countries: uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Form I-821 initial application | $50 |
| Form I-821 re-registration | $0 (free) |
| Biometrics fee (age 14+) | $85 |
| Form I-765 EAD (if requesting) | $410 (or fee waiver via I-912) |
| Form I-912 fee waiver | Free to file |
OBBBA did not change the I-821 application or biometrics fees. It only shortened EAD validity.
How to file
TPS is filed by mail to the USCIS Lockbox or Service Center designated for your country and case type. Filing location depends on whether you are:
- Filing an initial TPS registration
- Re-registering during a designated re-registration period
- Filing concurrently with Form I-765 (EAD)
The USCIS Form I-821 filing instructions page lists the correct address per filing type. Always confirm the address on the official USCIS page on the date you mail your packet.
Required documents
- Form I-821 (signed)
- Identity evidence: passport, national ID, birth certificate (with certified translation if not in English)
- Nationality evidence: passport showing the country DHS has designated
- Date-of-entry evidence: I-94 record, entry stamps, photographs, lease records
- Continuous-residence evidence: rent receipts, utility bills, school records, employment records covering each required period
- Filing fee ($50) OR Form I-912 fee waiver request (if eligible by income)
Re-registration
TPS does not auto-renew. Each designated country has periodic re-registration windows announced in Federal Register notices. Missing the re-registration window can end your TPS status — even if your country is still designated. Watch USCIS announcements and the Federal Register on the DHS schedule for your country.
What TPS does — and does not — let you do
| Allowed | Not allowed by TPS alone |
|---|---|
| Stay in US during designation period | Sponsor relatives for green cards |
| Receive an EAD (Form I-765) | Petition family for derivative TPS |
| Apply for travel authorization (Form I-512L) | Adjust status under INA § 245(a) (per Sanchez v. Mayorkas, 2021) |
| Pursue other immigration benefits you qualify for (asylum, marriage AOS if applicable) | Stay if DHS terminates the designation |
Current USCIS processing times
USCIS publishes the time in which 80% of cases complete, per form, category, and office. The table below renders from our automatically maintained copy of the official data — always verify against the live system before relying on a deadline.
The time in which 80% of cases complete, by category and office. Data from the official USCIS system (2026-05-26) · verify live
| Category | Office | 80% complete within |
|---|---|---|
| El Salvador Initial | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 15 Months |
| El Salvador Re-registration | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 12.5 Months |
| Somalia Initial | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 26 Months |
| Sudan Initial | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 22 Months |
| Sudan Re-registration | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 9 Months |
| Ukraine Initial | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 22 Months |
| Ukraine Re-registration | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 14.5 Months |
| Yemen Initial | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 47 Months |
Related information
- Form I-765 Employment Authorization (EAD)
- Form I-912 Fee Waiver Request (see USCIS forms hub)
- All USCIS forms — overview
- Find pro bono immigration legal help
Authoritative sources
- USCIS Form I-821: uscis.gov/i-821
- USCIS TPS hub: uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
- Federal Register OBBBA TPS / fees rule: 2026-08333
- INA § 244 / 8 U.S.C. § 1254a (TPS statute)
- 8 U.S.C. § 1803(c), § 1811(a) (OBBBA EAD validity limits)
Last verified: 2026-05-26. General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. TPS designations and fees change — verify current details directly with USCIS before acting. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or BIA-accredited representative.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
- ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
- USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
Frequently asked questions
What is TPS and who designates it?
What is the TPS EAD validity limit after OBBBA (H.R.1)?
What does TPS cost?
Does TPS lead to a green card?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.