United States: DHS Extends Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela

Current Venezuela TPS beneficiaries can extend their status and work authorization provided that they previously registered for TPS under either the March 9, 2021 or the October 3, 2023 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 designation for Venezuela.
• When to re-register: Current Venezuela TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821 to USCIS during the re-registration period that will begin on January 17, 2025 and end on September 10, 2025.
• Extending employment authorization: Beneficiaries who wish to extend their employment authorization must also submit a timely Form I-765application for an employment authorization document (EAD) and the applicable fees (or a fee waiver application).
• Pending TPS and/or EAD applications from prior registration period: There is no need for a foreign national with a pending TPS and/or EAD application to file a second application in order to benefit from the extension. For applications that are pending when the re-registration period begins on January 17, 2025, approval notices and document expiration dates will reflect the latest expiration date of October 2, 2026.
• Automatic EAD extensions: As DHS recognizes that re-registrants may not receive new EADs before their current cards expire, the agency is providing an automatic extension, through April 2, 2026, for EADs bearing a Category code of A-12 or C-19 and an expiration date of either: September 10, 2025, April 2, 2025, March 10, 2024, or September 9, 2022. The Federal Register notice provides specific instructions on proper completion of an I-9 form to reflect an automatically extended TPS EAD. 

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.

The extension of TPS for Venezuela means that beneficiaries who submit a timely application and receive an approval may be granted authorization to continue to work and remain in the United States through October 2, 2026. Prior to any further extension of TPS, DHS would review conditions to determine whether the TPS designation for Venezuela should be extended again or terminated.

It should be noted that the first Trump administration attempted to terminate a number of TPS programs, which resulted in court challenges. If the incoming Trump Administration were to seek to take action to terminate Venezuela TPS, such an action might prompt similar court challenges.