Changes to Venezuelan TPS
On February 1, 2025, the U.S. government announced changes to TPS for Venezuela to end it. Then, on March 31, 2025, a judge blocked the termination of TPS for Venezuela. Current TPS holders should be allowed to stay and work in the U.S. without the risk of deportation until the court makes a final decision.
The court ruling has been appealed, which will likely lead to further changes to TPS for Venezuela.
What is TPS
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a form of immigration status for people already 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 legally live and work in the U.S. temporarily.
| Go to the official USCIS TPS Venezuela page for more details. |
2021 TPS designation
- If you have the 2021 TPS designation, your benefits should currently be available through September 10, 2025.
- The U.S. government will review the 2021 designation by July 12, 2025, to decide if it will continue or end. Be prepared for the possibility that it will end.
- You must have re-registered by March 10, 2024, to extend your benefits to September 10, 2025.
- If you registered under the 2021 TPS designation, you may re-register under the Venezuela 2023 extension.
2023 TPS redesignation
- If you already have TPS for Venezuela under the 2023 designation, you can re-register to extend it further to October 2, 2026.
- To re-register, you must file a new Form I-821 by September 10, 2025. You can file your application with USCIS online or by mail. You do not have to pay a filing fee but may have to pay for biometrics.
- It is important to re-register as soon as possible.
Work permit
Work permits are available to people with TPS and are known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You can apply for work authorization by filing Form I-765. It takes several months to get an EAD.
If you have TPS under the 2021 or 2023 designation, your work permit (EAD) is automatically extended until April 2, 2026, because of a court order.
Travel permit
Travel permits are available to people with TPS. It is known as advanced parole. You can apply for a travel permit by filing Form I-131.
Before traveling outside the USA, talk to a lawyer. Traveling outside the U.S. with a temporary status comes with risk and U.S. immigration rules may change who can enter the country.
What happens when TPS expires?
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.
- You can have TPS at the same time as another immigration status.
- 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.
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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