Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be extended to eligible nationals of Sudan due to an ongoing conflict in that region. TPS for eligible Sudanese nationals has been extended for an additional 18 months and will remain effective through 2nd May, 2016.
Sudanese TPS beneficiaries looking to extend their temporary status will need to re-register between September 2, 2014 and November 3, 2014, the 60-day registration period. Those seeking to re-register for TPS will need to apply for this temporary status soon after the registration period begins. However, no applications for re-registration will be accepted before 2nd September, 2014.
This extension will allow the TPS beneficiaries to apply for new Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). The new EADs that will be issued to them will be valid until May 2, 2016. Those who hold EADs that are valid may not be issued new EADs and recognizing this, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will automatically extend current TPS EADs for six more months. So the current EADs that are valid until 2nd November, 2014 will automatically be extended to 2nd May, 2015.
This TPS extension is likely to benefit around 600 Sudanese nationals. To re-register, current Sudanese TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status along with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The application for a work permit, Form I-765 must be filed even by those who do not want to work in the U.S.
However, TPS beneficiaries who do not want work permits need not pay the filing fee for Form I-765. The others who seek to work in the U.S. must pay the required fee, irrespective of age. Similarly, the fee for biometrics services must be paid by all the re-registrants except those below age 14.
Sudanese nationals whose initial applications for TPS are still pending need not submit new I-821 applications. But they can submit Form I-765 to get new work permits if they already hold TPS-related work permits. This form must accompany the required filing fee and a copy of the receipt notice they received after filing their initial applications for TPS.
USCIS also grants waivers to the applicants who may not be able to pay the required filing fees and to request waivers, they must file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. They can also request waivers by submitting written requests. Along with the waiver requests, they must submit documents establishing their inability to pay the fee. Applications without the proper fee or fee waiver request will not be considered by USCIS.
Note: 60 day TPS re-registration period – Sept. 2, 2014 – Nov. 3, 2014