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Updated December 6, 2022
You can now apply for TPS Haiti through August 3, 2024. That is also the last day you can have temporary protected status under the new designation.
If you already have TPS under the 2011 designation, your temporary protected status continues and your documents are valid through June 30, 2024.
What is TPS?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a form of immigration status for people in the United States. TPS is for people who cannot go back to their home country because of danger, such as an armed conflict or environmental disaster.
If you have TPS, you can:
- Stay in the USA legally for a period of time
- Apply for a work permit in the USA
- Apply to travel outside of the USA
- Be protected from detention and deportation
You will not get any of the benefits of TPS until your application is approved. TPS is temporary. It does not give you lawful permanent status, citizenship, or any permanent immigration status.
TPS-holder information
If you already have TPS Haiti under the 2011 designation, you do not need to re-register. Your TPS is automatically extended through June 30, 2024.
DHS announced this extension as required by a recent court order. TPS Haiti may or may not continue depending on the final results of the court process.
You must have re-registered during the 2015-2018 period to currently have TPS Sudan under the 2011 designation. DHS announced this extension as part of a court order. Future court decisions could change the availability of TPS Haiti.
If you did not re-register and no longer have TPS, you will need to submit a new application. This will give you TPS benefits until August 3, 2024.
For question 1.a. you must select “This is my initial (first time) application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). I do not currently have TPS.”
If you have TPS Haiti from the 2011 designation, you are still encouraged to apply for TPS under the new designation. The future of the case is unknown. If the court decides to reverse the 2011 designation, you will still have the new designation.
If you missed the deadline to re-register, you can submit a late re-registration application. You will also have to submit a letter explaining why you filed it late, such as a serious illness. You can re-register online or by mail with USCIS under the “Where To File” section.
If you already have TPS under the 2011 designation, DHS will automatically extend your EAD through June 30, 2024.
New applicant information
Who can apply
You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Be a national of Haiti
- or a person without nationality who lived in Haiti for a long time before arriving in the USA
- Have lived only in the USA since July 29, 2021
- Have not left the USA since August 3, 2021
Note: DHS announced those living in the United States as of November 6, 2022 will also be able to apply. More details coming soon.
You may not be eligible if you have committed certain crimes.
How to apply
You can apply for TPS Haiti by filing Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. You can file your application online with USCIS.
You must send documents showing proof of your identity, nationality, and date of entry. These are listed in the What to File section.
You must pay a fee if you are applying for TPS for the first time. You might be able to apply for a fee waiver if you can’t afford to pay the fee. Learn how to use the USCIS fee calculator.
You need to apply by August 3, 2024.
In some cases, you may apply late. You must meet certain requirements listed in USCIS’s Filing Late section.
Can I apply for a work permit?
Work permits are available to people with TPS and are known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It shows employers that you are allowed to work in the USA. You can apply for a work permit by filing Form I-765, Request for Employment Authorization with USCIS.
You can also apply for EAD after you filed your TPS application. Filing both forms together may help you get EAD faster.
If you apply during the current registration period, your work permit will be valid through August 3, 2024.
Can I apply for a travel permit?
Travel permits are available to people with TPS. It is known as advanced parole. It shows immigration officials that you are allowed to travel abroad and back to the USA.
You can apply for a travel permit by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Follow the instructions on the Federal Register notice when applying for a travel permit.
You can apply for a work and travel permit at the same time or separately.
What happens after I file my application?
USCIS will review your application and send you a receipt notice. You can check the status of your application online by typing in your receipt number.
You may get a letter asking for more evidence. This could be your photo, fingerprints, signature, and other documents.
You will get a letter approving or denying your application. If you applied for a work permit, you will also get information about your application.
If you do not get TPS, you will get information on whether and how you can appeal their decision.
What happens when TPS Haiti expires?
DHS will continue to extend TPS Haiti until there is a final court ruling. If the final court ruling ends TPS Haiti, TPS holders will have 365 days before DHS could start deportations.
If TPS Haiti expires, you will have the same immigration status you had before getting temporary protected status.
If you did not have a legal immigration status before you applied for TPS, you may become undocumented. You can apply for another form of immigration status if you are eligible.
If you stay without any legal status, you will risk the chance of arrest or deportation.
Can I change my immigration status?
You can have TPS at the same time as another immigration status.
You can apply for asylum, lawful permanent status (green card), or other protected status if you meet the requirements for those applications.
Where can I find help?
It is important to seek legal advice from an immigration lawyer or accredited representative. They can help you apply and discuss questions or concerns. Many organizations and lawyers offer free or low-cost legal services.
The Embassy of Haiti can offer more information. You can contact the Embassy of Haiti at (202) 332-4090 or visit its consular offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York City, Orlando, or Washington, D.C.
تعرف على عمليات احتيال الهجرة الأكثر شيوعا مثل notarios و المواقع الإلكترونية المزيفة. تعرف على كيفية حماية نفسك وماذا تفعل إذا كنت ضحية للاحتيال.
Information on this page comes from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Register, USCIS, and other trusted sources. It is intended for guidance and is updated as often as possible.
USAHello does not give legal advice, nor are any of our materials intended to be taken as legal advice.
