Nicaraguans outside the U.S. may now be eligible for a humanitarian parole program to live and work temporarily in the USA.
What is TPS
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a form of immigration status for people already in the USA. TPS is for people who cannot go back to their home country because of danger. These may include armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other temporary dangers. This status is only available to people from certain countries.
If you have TPS, you can:
- Stay in the U.S. legally for a period of time
- Apply for a work permit in the U.S.
- Apply to travel outside of the U.S.
- Be protected from detention and deportation
TPS is temporary. It does not give you lawful permanent status, citizenship, or any permanent immigration status.
| Go to the USCIS TPS Nicaragua page for more details. |
Who could have applied?
You must have met the following requirements to get TPS Nicaragua:
- Be a national of Nicaragua or a person without nationality who lived in Nicaragua for a long time before arriving in the U.S.
- Lived only in the U.S. since December 30, 1998
- Did not take trips outside the U.S. after January 5, 1999 that might impact eligibility
You may not have been eligible if you committed certain crimes.
| Public charge does not apply to TPS applicants. You can use any government programs you qualify for. |
Re-registration for current TPS holders
If you already have TPS for Nicaragua under a previous designation, you can re-register to extend it further to July 5, 2025.
If you had TPS under the 1999 designation, your TPS will no longer be automatically extended for the Ramos court case. You must re-register to keep your TPS benefits.
To re-register, you must file a new Form I-821 by July 5, 2025. You can file your application with USCIS online or by mail. You do not have to pay a fee.
It is important to re-register as soon as possible. The deadline is also the last day TPS for Nicaragua is currently available.
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 currently have TPS under the 1999 designation and your EAD card has a category A-12 or C-19, your work permit is automatically extended to March 9, 2025. You should receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action, so keep your address updated with USCIS.
If you re-register for TPS and apply for a new EAD, it will be valid through July 5, 2025.
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 work authorization by filing Form I-765.
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. Follow the Federal Register notice instructions when applying for a travel permit.
Before traveling outside the USA, talk to a lawyer. Immigration rules may change and it is important to know if it is safe to travel.
What happens when TPS expires?
DHS will review country conditions at least 60 days prior to when it is set to expire. They will decide whether to continue it further. If TPS for Nicaragua expires, you will have the same immigration status you had before getting temporary protected status.
If you do not have another legal immigration status besides TPS, you will become undocumented and lose your work authorization. If you stay without legal status, you will risk being detained and deported.
How to prepare
- Talk to an immigration lawyer. It is important to seek legal help and learn about your options for staying in the U.S.
- Apply for another immigration status if you qualify. Review if you are eligible for asylum, lawful permanent status (Green Card), or other U.S. visas.
- Be prepared for ICE. Know what to do if you are undocumented and agents come to your home or work. Know your rights and how to create a safety plan.
- Stay informed. Learn more about immigration changes under the new administration.
Learn how to find free or low-cost help from trusted immigration lawyers and legal representatives.