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 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 Nicaragua can offer more information. You can contact the Embassy of Nicaragua at (202) 939-6570 or visit its consular offices in Washington D.C.; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Houston, TX.
Know how to protect yourself from notarios and fake websites. Learn what to do if you have been a victim of fraud.
The information on this page comes from DHS, USCIS, and other trusted sources. We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.
More from USAHello
Looking for specific information?
