U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced recently that all applicants eligible to file for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may now file applications online.
Eligible applicants under one of the current designations may file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online, the USCIS announced in a release on its website Nov. 29.
"Previously, the option to file Form I-821 online was only available to initial TPS applicants from certain countries. Offering online filing for all TPS applicants allows us to continue making the process of applying for immigration benefits more efficient, secure, and convenient for more applicants," USCIS states in the release.
The filing changes apply to first-time TPS applicants as well as current beneficiaries who are re-registering.
"To file Form I-821 online, eligible TPS applicants should visit our myUSCIS page to log into or create a USCIS online account. This free account offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with us about their application through a secure inbox," USCIS states in the release.
TPS is available for citizens of countries that have a condition that prevents them from returning safely to their home country, or the country is unable to handle the return of national adequately. Currently, individuals from 12 countries are eligible to apply for TPS.
TPS is a temporary immigration status and does not lead to lawful permanent residence status or any immigration status outside TPS.
