USCIS extends Temporary Protected Status for Somalia

Jeh Johnson

The Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia (and eligible individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) for an additional 18 months, effective March 18, 2017, through September 17, 2018. 

Current TPS Somalia beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from January 17, 2017, through March 20, 2017. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible once the 60-day re-registration period begins.

The 18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible TPS Somalia beneficiaries who re-register during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date of September 17, 2018. USCIS recognizes that some re-registrants may not receive their new EADs until after their current work permits expire.

Therefore, USCIS is automatically extending the validity of current TPS Somalia EADs with an expiration date of March 17, 2017, for an additional six months. These existing EADs are now valid through Septemer 17, 2017.

To re-register, current TPS beneficiaries must submit:

·           Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status (re-registrants do not need to pay the Form I-821 application fee).

·         The biometric services fee (or a fee-waiver request) if they are 14 years old or older.

·          Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether they want an EAD.

·         The Form I-765 application fee or a fee-waiver request, but only if they want an EAD. If the re-registrant does not want an EAD, no application fee is required.

Applicants may request that USCIS waive the Form I-765 application fee and/or biometric services fee based on an inability to pay. To do so, applicants must file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or submit a written request. Fee-waiver requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation. USCIS will reject the TPS application of any applicant who fails to submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee-waiver request.

All USCIS forms are free. Applicants can download these forms from the USCIS website at uscis.gov/forms or request them by calling USCIS toll-free at 1-800-870-3676.

Additional information about TPS for Somalia—including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file—is available online at uscis.gov/tps.

Certain individuals who are not current TPS beneficiaries may be able to apply late for TPS under the Somalia designation.  Information about Late Initial Filing is also available at uscis.gov/tps.