USCIS regularly automatically extends TPS work permits while applications are pending. See below to see if your country’s TPS work permits were automatically extended.  If your work permit was automatically extended, it remains valid through the automatic extension expiration date.  Some TPS holders have work permits that were extended additional time following the Ramos v. Nielsen court order stopping certain TPS terminations.

• El Salvador: Work permits were automatically extended through January 2, 2021:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el
• Honduras: Work permits were automatically extended through January 4, 2021:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el8.
• Nicaragua: Work permits were automatically extended through January 4, 2021:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el
• Haiti: Work permits were automatically extended through January 4, 2021: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el
• Nepal: Work permits were automatically extended through January 4, 2021: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el
• Sudan:Work permits were automatically extended through January 4, 2021: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el

While re-registration by filing form I-821 is required to maintain TPS benefits, requesting an accompanying work permit is not necessary to maintain TPS.  See above.

El Salvador: No current re-registration period.

Nicaragua: No current re-registration period.

Haiti: No current re-registration period.

Honduras: No current re-registration period.

Nepal: No current re-registration period.

Sudan: No current re-registration period.

If you did not re-register during the designated time-frame, we recommend that you get a consultation to see if you qualify to register late by showing you had good cause for missing the filing window.

Traveling on advance parole has many potential benefits and few potential risks.  Applicants seeking to travel on advance parole should consult with an attorney or OLAP (Office of Legal Access Programs) accredited representative before doing so.

For TPS holders affected by the Ramos v. Nielsen court order stopping TPS terminations, you may continue to request advance parole for travel abroad so long as the court injunction remains.

TPS holders from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal may show their expired work permit along with the Federal Register Notice published on November 4, 2019 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el) in which the employer is provided with information about the automatic extension of your work permit through January 4, 2021 and instructions on how to verify your eligibility to work.  The notice also informs employers of the legal consequences for acts of discrimination and their failure to accept your expired work permit as valid proof that you are authorized to work.

Nepal: April 25, 2018

Honduras: May 4, 2018

Yemen: July 5, 2018

Somalia: July 19, 2018

South Sudan: March 3, 2019

What did the court order in the case of Ramos v. Nielsen?

On October 3, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ordered a preliminary injunction that makes the U.S. government suspend the termination of TPS for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador.  Injunctions are sometimes used by courts to make a party in a lawsuit either do or refrain from taking a certain action while the court case is pending.  While the order remains in effect, DHS may not terminate TPS for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti and El Salvador.  A court-approved stipulation in Bhattarai v. Nielsen provided similar protections to TPS holders from Honduras and Nepal. 

How can I show my employer that my work permit remains valid after the expiration date? 

TPS holders from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal may show their expired work permit along with the Federal Register Notice published on November 4, 2019 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/04/2019-24047/continuation-of-documentation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protected-status-designations-for-el) in which the employer is provided with information about the automatic extension of your work permit through January 4, 2021 and instructions on how to verify your eligibility to work.  The notice also informs employers of the legal consequences for acts of discrimination and their failure to accept your expired work permit as valid proof that you are authorized to work.

I am a TPS holder from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti, Sudan, Honduras or Nepal.  Can I request a new work permit valid through January 4, 2021? 

Although you may apply for a new work permit, doing so is not required to show that you are authorized to work.  Processing times suggest that your new card may not be processed before January 2, 2020, the date of expiration.  A fee waiver for the cost of the work permit is available to applicants who themselves or through a qualifying household member receive a means-tested.

Do I need to re-register for take any other action to make sure my TPS remains valid?

As long as you re-registered during the most recent re-registration period, for the moment, no further action is required to make sure your TPS remains valid.  However, re-registration may be required in the future.  Any re-registration requirements will be announced through publication in the Federal Register.

What will happen if the court’s order in Ramos v. Nielsen is reversed on appeal?

If the court’s order is reversed on appeal, TPS for Sudan, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Haiti will remain in effect for approximately six months at a minimum. The government has agreed not to end TPS for these countries for at least 120 days after the “mandate” from the appeal is issued (365 days for El Salvador). The “mandate” is generally issued 52 days after a decision, but it may take longer depending on whether either party seeks further review at the Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court.