Which Countries Have TPS?

Which Countries Have Temporary Protected Status in 2025?

Thousands of immigrants living in the United States face uncertain futures due to ongoing crises in their home countries. Wars, natural disasters, and political upheaval can make it dangerous or impossible to return home safely. Fortunately, the U.S. government offers Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as a humanitarian protection program for eligible nationals from designated countries.

Understanding which countries currently have a TPS designation can be crucial for immigrants seeking protection from deportation and authorization to work legally in the United States. As of 2025, 17 countries have active TPS designations, providing relief to hundreds of thousands of people who cannot safely return to their homelands.

Alvelo Immigration Legal Solutions, PLLC, examines the current list of TPS countries, recent policy changes, and how qualified individuals can apply for this vital protection. Whether you’re seeking TPS for yourself or helping a family member navigate the process, knowing your options is the first step toward securing legal status in the United States.

Understanding Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Temporary Protected Status serves as a critical safety net for immigrants whose home countries face extraordinary circumstances that prevent safe return. The Secretary of Homeland Security designates countries for TPS when they experience ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other temporary conditions that substantially disrupt living conditions.

Eligibility Requirements for TPS

To qualify for temporary protected status, applicants must meet specific criteria established by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Eligible individuals must be nationals of a TPS-designated country who were physically present in the United States on the date their country received designation. Additionally, applicants must have continuously resided in the U.S. since the specified date for their country.

Other requirements include passing background checks and not having certain criminal convictions that would disqualify them from protection. Applicants cannot have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States.

Benefits of TPS Protection

Recipients of temporary protected status receive significant benefits that provide stability and security. Most importantly, TPS beneficiaries cannot be removed from the United States during their designated period. They also receive authorization to work legally in the U.S., allowing them to support themselves and their families.

TPS holders may also be eligible for travel authorization, though this requires a separate application and approval. This protection typically lasts 6 to 18 months and can be extended if conditions in the home country remain unsafe.

TPS Countries Designated in 2025

As of July 2025, the following countries have active temporary protected status designations:

• Afghanistan – Extended until July 14, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis following the Taliban takeover.
• Burma (Myanmar) – Designated due to the military coup and ongoing political violence that began in 2021.
• Cameroon – Protected due to ongoing armed conflict in the Anglophone regions of the country.
• El Salvador – One of the longest-standing TPS designations, originally due to earthquakes and ongoing due to extraordinary circumstances.
• Ethiopia – Designated due to ongoing armed conflict in multiple regions of the country.
• Haiti – Protected due to political crisis, social unrest, and extraordinary circumstances, including natural disasters.
• Honduras – Designated due to environmental disaster and extraordinary circumstances preventing safe return.
• Lebanon – Protected due to the ongoing economic and political crisis severely affecting living conditions.
• Nepal – TPS valid through August 5, 2025, originally designated due to massive earthquake damage.
• Nicaragua – Designated due to ongoing political repression and human rights violations.
• Somalia – Long-standing designation due to ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis.
• South Sudan – Protected due to ongoing armed conflict since the country’s independence.
• Sudan – Designated due to ongoing armed conflict and political instability.
• Syria – Protected due to ongoing civil war and humanitarian crisis.
• Ukraine – Designated following Russia’s invasion and ongoing armed conflict.
• Yemen – Protected due to ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis.
• Venezuela – Currently designated, though its future remains subject to ongoing litigation according to the Department of Justice and the American Immigration Council.

Recent Policy Changes and Updates

The TPS program has seen significant activity in recent years, with several countries receiving new designations or extensions. The Biden administration previously took a more favorable approach to TPS designations compared to other administrations.

Recent extensions have provided continued protection for countries like Afghanistan and Nepal, while new designations have been made for countries like Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. However, some designations have also ended, requiring beneficiaries to seek other forms of immigration relief or face potential removal proceedings.

The ongoing litigation surrounding Venezuela’s TPS designation highlights the complex legal and political factors that can affect these humanitarian protections. Immigration attorneys closely monitor these developments to advise clients on their options and potential changes to their status.

How to Apply for Temporary Protected Status

Applying for TPS requires careful attention to deadlines and documentation requirements. The application process involves several key steps that must be completed within specified timeframes.

Required Forms and Documentation

TPS applicants must file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, along with supporting documentation proving their nationality and continuous residence in the United States. Additional required forms include Form I-765 for work authorization and Form I-821D for certain applicants.

Supporting documents typically include identity documents, evidence of nationality from the designated country, and proof of continuous residence in the U.S. since the required date. Applicants must also submit evidence of physical presence in the United States on their country’s designation date.

Filing Fees and Fee Waivers

Current filing fees can be substantial, including fees for the TPS application and work authorization. However, fee waivers may be available for applicants who demonstrate financial hardship or meet other qualifying criteria.

USCIS regularly updates fee schedules, so applicants should verify current costs before filing. Legal assistance can help determine eligibility for fee waivers and ensure all required payments are submitted correctly.

How Alvelo Immigration Legal Solutions, PLLC, Can Help

Navigating the temporary protected status application process requires legal skill in federal immigration law and attention to complex procedural requirements. Attorney Wanda Alvelo has dedicated over twelve years to helping clients successfully obtain TPS protection.

For eligible individuals, TPS provides not just protection from removal, but the opportunity to work legally and contribute to American communities while maintaining hope for eventual safe return to their homelands. However, the application process requires careful attention to deadlines, documentation requirements, and changing policies that can affect eligibility and benefits.

Given the complexity of immigration law and the high stakes involved in TPS cases, professional legal assistance can make the difference between successful protection and missed opportunities. Attorney Wanda Alvelo and Alvelo Immigration Legal Solutions, PLLC, stand ready to help eligible individuals navigate this critical process and secure the protection they need and deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.