Eligible nationals of designated countries may apply for a temporary immigration status by filing Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.
In order to apply for temporary protected status(TPS), you must be a citizen of a foreign country which has been designated for temporary protected status by the Department of Homeland Security. A person without a nationality, who had last habitually resided in a foreign country eligible for TPS also may apply.
In order to apply for TPS, you must check with the nearest USCIS office for designations which are currently in force.
In order to apply for TPS using Form I-821, you must provide documents, proving you are a citizen of a foreign country, which is eligible for TPS. You must also provide evidence about your residence in the United States and your date of entry into the United States. At times you may be required by the USCIS to provide original documents, which will be returned to you after verification.
In order to prove your nationality you may be required to provide copies of your passport and birth certificate along with a photo identification and a national identity from your home country, with your photo or fingerprint. Your passport and Form I-94, Arrival or departure record may be provided to prove your date of entry into the United States.
Employment records, rent or utility receipts, school records, medical or hospital records, church attestations, money order receipts or other relevant documents may be submitted to prove your residence in America.
If you are unable to submit the required documents, you may submit an affidavit to the USCIS showing your unsuccessful efforts to obtain those documents. You may also use affidavits to prove your residence in the United States and date of entry into the United States.
If you are a person who is applying for initial registration, re-registration and renewal, you will be required to submit biometrics which include fingerprints, signature and your photographs. There are also certain waivers in the collection of biometrics, which will be decided by the USCIS.
The USCIS will send the TPS applicants, a notice scheduling the biometrics appointment at the Application Support Center. The applicant must appear for the biometrics collection and failure to do so may result in the denial of the TPS application. Separate fee for filing the form and biometrics collection must be paid exactly as required by the USCIS.
You will also be required to file Form I-765, Application for Employment authorization. Every applicant irrespective of age, must file this form, even if you do not seek employment authorization.
If you are unable to pay the filing fee and the fee for biometrics, you may request a fee waiver.
If your I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, is denied by the USCIS, you will be informed about the denial, in the denial notice. You will also be notified whether you have 30 days to appeal to the USCIS.