What is TPS | New applicants | Current TPS-holders | Work permit | Travel permit | Other protection | Find help |
Updated January 20, 2023
You can now apply for TPS Sudan through October 19, 2023. That is also the last day you can have temporary protected status under the new designation.
If you already have TPS under the 2013 designation, your temporary protected status continues and your documents are now valid through June 30, 2024.
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, 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.
| Public charge does not apply to TPS applicants. You can use any government programs you qualify for. |
New applicants
Who can apply
You must meet the following requirements:
- Be a national of Sudan
- or a person without nationality who lived in Sudan for a long time before arriving in the USA
- Have lived only in the USA since March 1, 2022
- Have not left the USA since April 19, 2022
You may not be eligible if you have committed certain crimes.
How to apply
You can apply for TPS Sudan 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 October 19, 2023.
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. If you do not get a receipt within 3 weeks of filing, you can call the USCIS Contact Center.
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
Current TPS-holders
If you already have TPS for Sudan under the 2013 designation, you do not need to re-register. Your TPS is automatically extended to June 30, 2024.
You must have re-registered during the 2016-2017 period to currently have TPS Sudan under the 2013 designation. DHS announced this extension as part of a court order. Future court decisions could change the availability of TPS Sudan.
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 October 19, 2023.
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 Sudan from the 2013 designation, you are still encouraged to apply for TPS under the new designation. The future of the court case is unknown. If the court makes changes to the 2013 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.
DHS automatically extended the EADs of current TPS holders. If you applied for TPS and an EAD during the 2013 designation, then your work permit is valid through November 25, 2023.
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.
It is recommended to apply at the same time you apply for TPS. Filing both forms together may help you get an EAD faster. You can also apply after.
If you apply during the current registration period, your work permit will be valid through October 19, 2023.
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.
What happens when TPS Sudan expires?
DHS will continue to extend TPS Sudan until there is a final court ruling. If the final court ruling ends TPS Sudan, TPS holders will have 365 days before DHS could start deportations.
If TPS Sudan 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 Sudan can offer more information. You can contact the Embassy of Sudan at (202) 338-8656 or visit its consular office in Washington D.C.
Know how to protect yourself from notarios and fake websites. Learn what to do if you have been a victim of fraud.
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.
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