On May 19, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register notice (FRN) designating Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.
The new TPS designation of Afghanistan enables nationals of Afghanistan and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan, and who have continuously resided in the United States since March 15, 2022, to file applications for TPS.
TPS applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks.
To be eligible under the Afghanistan designation, individuals must demonstrate their continuous residence in the United States since March 15, 2022, and continuous physical presence in the United States since May 20, 2022. USCIS estimates 72,500 individuals currently in the United States may be eligible for TPS under the designation of Afghanistan. Afghan nationals currently not residing in the United States or who arrived in the United States after March 15, 2022, are not eligible for TPS under this designation.
Through Operation Allies Welcome, most Afghan nationals who arrived as part of the evacuation effort were paroled into the United States on a case-by-case basis, for humanitarian reasons, for a period of two years and received work authorization. These individuals may also be eligible for TPS.
Applying for TPS and for an EAD
Individuals applying for TPS under the Afghanistan designation must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the 18-month initial registration period that runs from May 20, 2022, through November 20, 2023. Afghan TPS applicants are eligible to file Form I-821 online. When filing a TPS application, applicants can also request an Employment Authorization Document by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (EAD), with their Form I-821. Applicants may also submit Form I-765 online.
For the most current information related to Temporary Protected Status, visit the USCIS' TPS webpage.
