Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced this week that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be extended for citizens of Nepal through June 24th, 2018. The law allows a person to hold TPS and a nonimmigrant status at the same time. Nepalese citizens in the U.S. may benefit by obtaining an unrestricted Employment Authorization Document via TPS, while also holding a nonimmigrant status. The 60 day re-registration period runs from October 26th, 2016 to December 27, 2016.
Temporary Protected Status was first granted to Nepal due the terrible earthquake which devastated the country in April 2015. Nepal is a place near and dear to my heart, as I’ve trekked and traveled there extensively. I have friends who visited the Langtang region in the past couple weeks. The effects of the earthquake are immediately apparent there, still, as whole villages remain buried. Nepal is one of several places in the world which needs aid, and the extension of temporary protected status is well called for.
The full USCIS Press Release reads:
Temporary Protected Status Extended for Nepal
Release
Date: October 26, 2016
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Nepal (and those without nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) for an additional 18 months, effective Dec. 25, 2016, through June 24, 2018.
Current TPS Nepal beneficiaries who want to extend their TPS must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from October 26, 2016 through December 27, 2016. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible once the 60-day re-registration period begins.
Employment Authorization:
The 18-month extension allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Those who re-register during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date of June 24, 2018.
USCIS recognizes that some re-registrants may not receive their new EAD until after their current work permits expire. Therefore, we are automatically extending current TPS Nepal EADs with a Dec. 24, 2016, expiration date for six months. These existing EADs are now valid through June 24, 2017.
Re-registering for TPS:
To re-register, current TPS beneficiaries must submit:
-Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status (re-registrants do not need to pay the Form I-821 application fee);
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether they want an EAD;
The Form I-765 application fee (or a fee waiver request) only if they want an EAD. If the re-registrant does not want an EAD, no application fee is required; and
The biometric services fee (or a fee waiver request) if they are 14 years old or older.
Additional information about TPS, including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file, is available at uscis.gov. The Federal Register notice published today contains further details about this TPS extension for Nepal.
USCIS will reject the application of any applicant who fails to submit the required filing fee or a properly documented fee-waiver request. Applicants may request that USCIS waive any fees based on an inability to pay by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or by submitting a written request. Fee-waiver requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
All USCIS forms are available for free. Download forms or order them by mail through the USCIS website at uscis.gov/forms or by calling USCIS Forms Request Line toll-free at 1-800-870-3676.
Applicants can check their case status at My Case Status Online or by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-767-1833).
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and the USCIS blog The Beacon.
Last Reviewed/Updated: 10/26/2016