The U.S. has designated Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) two months after the Himalayan country was hit by a devastating 7.8 earthquake. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has designated Nepal for special immigration protections for 18 months.
Eligible Nepalis can now apply for TPS in the U.S. This temporary status will enable them to remain here for at least a year. TPS recipients will be protected from deportation and can also receive work permits.
TPS for Nepal is in effect now and will continue to be so through December 24, 2016. During the designated period, eligible Nepalis without nationality and who last resided in Nepal, will be protected from deportation. This applies to those who apply for and receive TPS. Nepalis in the U.S. must register for this temporary status during the 180-day TPS registration period between June 24, 2015 and December 21, 2015.
To apply for TPS, Nepali nationals must prove that they have been continuously physically present and residing in America since Jun. 24, 2015. The USCIS form that must be filed to request TPS is Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. All TPS applicants must file this form along with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, irrespective of their age. Their requests for TPS will not be accepted if they file Form I-821 without Form I-765.
USCIS will need the applicants to undergo security checks. Not all nationals of Nepal will be granted TPS. Those with criminal records will not be granted this temporary immigration status.
USCIS recognizes that some people may not be able to pay the TPS registration fees. Such applicants can request to have their fee waived by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Written requests for fee waivers will also be accepted. These fee waiver requests must include the required supporting documents. TPS applications should either accompany the required fees or properly documented fee-waiver requests. Applications that are not properly submitted and those submitted without the required supporting documents will be rejected.
File Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status now!