United States: DHS Extends and Redesignates Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status

Venezuelan nationals can apply for TPS status under the 2023 TPS designation if they have continuously resided in the United States since July 31, 2023, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since October 3, 2023. Applicants must file a Form I-821 application with appropriate fees (or request for fee waiver) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the redesignation period from October 3, 2023 to April 2, 2025. Applicants may also apply for EADs and for travel authorization during this time, by submitting the corresponding forms and fees or fee waiver request.

All individuals applying for TPS undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility. Biometrics collection (fingerprinting) is generally required for applicants ages 14 and older.

Current Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries can continue to extend their status and work authorization provided that they previously registered for TPS under the 2021 designation of Venezuela and their application was granted.

• Who may re-register: Re-registration is limited to those who previously registered for and were granted TPS under the 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela.
• When to re-register: Current Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821 to USCIS between January 10, 2024 and March 10, 2024.
• Extending employment authorization: Beneficiaries who wish to extend their employment authorization for 18 months must also submit a timely Form I-765 application for an employment authorization document (EAD) and the applicable fees (or a fee waiver application).
• Automatic EAD extensions: DHS is providing an automatic extension, through March 10, 2025, for EADs bearing an expiration date of March 10, 2024, or September 9, 2022 and an A-12 or C-19 category.
• Pending TPS and/or EAD applications from prior registration period: If a previously filed application is approved, approval notices and document expiration dates will reflect the latest expiration date of September 10, 2025. There is no need for a foreign national to file either application again in order to benefit from the extension. The Federal Register notice provides specific instructions on proper completion of an I-9 form to reflect an automatically extended TPS EAD. 

The extension of TPS for Venezuela means that current TPS beneficiaries who submit a timely application and receive an approval may continue to work and remain in the United States through September 10, 2025. The new 18-month redesignation means that new TPS applicants who qualify under the 2023 designation may obtain TPS and related work benefits through April 2, 2025. 

Prior to the conclusion of the 18-month extension and redesignation, the DHS Secretary will review conditions to determine whether Venezuela’s TPS designations should be extended again.