Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan
If you do not have TPS Sudan, you can apply now through April 19, 2025. If you are granted temporary protected status, it will be valid through April 19, 2025. Learn if you are eligible and how to apply. Also, find information for those who already have TPS.
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 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
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.
| Go to the USCIS TPS Sudan page for more details. |
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 U.S.
- Have lived only in the U.S. since August 16, 2023
- Have not left the U.S. since October 20, 2023
You may not be eligible if you have committed certain crimes.
| Public charge does not apply to TPS applicants. You can use any government programs you qualify for. |
How to apply
You can apply for TPS Sudan by filing Form I-821. You can file your application online or by mail 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.
It is important to apply as soon as possible. The last day to apply is April 19, 2025, but that is also the last day TPS for Sudan is currently available.
What happens next
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, your TPS is automatically extended to June 30, 2024.
If you had TPS under a previous designation, you must have re-registered by October 20, 2023, to continue your benefits through April 19, 2025.
If you did not re-register and no longer have TPS, you will need to submit a new application.
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 for TPS holders from the 2013 designation to June 30, 2024.
If you applied for TPS during the 2022 new designation with an EAD expiration of October 19, 2023, your work permit was automatically extended for another year through October 19, 2024.
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. 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 for a new EAD during the current registration period, your work permit will be valid through April 19, 2025.
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.
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 Sudan expires, you will have the same immigration status you had before getting temporary protected status.
DHS will also continue to extend TPS for Sudan under the 2013 designation until there is a final court ruling. If the final court ruling ends TPS for Sudan, TPS holders will have 365 days before DHS can start deportations.
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.
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.
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