USCIS Extends TPS Re-Registration Period for Haitians

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the re-registration deadline to July 22, 2014, for Haitian nationals who have already been granted temporary protected status (TPS) and seek to maintain that status for an additional 18 months.  USCIS strongly encourages Haitian TPS beneficiaries to apply as soon as possible.

DHS began accepting re-registration applications on March 3, 2014, from TPS Haiti beneficiaries when DHS announced an 18-month extension of the TPS designation for Haiti from July 23, 2014, through January 22, 2016.

Approximately 51,000 TPS Haiti beneficiaries are expected to file for re-registration.  TPS is not available to Haitian nationals who have not continuously resided in the United States since January 12, 2011.

DHS also automatically extended by six months, through January 22, 2015, the validity of employment authorization documents (EADs) for eligible Haitian TPS beneficiaries.  USCIS said this would allow sufficient time for eligible TPS beneficiaries who re-register on time to receive an EAD without any lapse in employment authorization.

To re-register, TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.  Individuals seeking to re-register do not need to pay the I-821 application fee.  However, all re-registrants 14 years of age and older must pay a biometric services fee or submit a fee waiver request.  All re-registrants seeking employment authorization through January 22, 2016, must also submit the I-765 fee (or a fee-waiver request).  Re-registrants who do not want employment authorization must still submit a completed I-765 but do not need to submit the I-765 fee.

• The revised I-821 is available here. 
• The announcement, with additional related links, is available here.