Temporary Protected Status Extended for Nicaragua

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Nicaragua (and those without nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) for an additional 18 months, effective July 6, 2016, through Jan. 5, 2018.

Current TPS Nicaragua beneficiaries who want to extend their TPS must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from May 16, 2016 through July 15, 2016. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible once the 60-day re-registration period begins.

Employment Authorization:

The 18-month extension allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Those who re-register during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date of Jan. 5, 2018.

USCIS recognizes that some re-registrants may not receive their new EAD until after their current work permits expire. Therefore, we are automatically extending current TPS Nicaragua EADs with a July 5, 2016 expiration date for six months. These existing EADs are now valid through Jan. 5, 2017.

Re-registering for TPS:

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);
• 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) only if they want an EAD. If the re-registrant does not want an EAD, no application fee is required; and
• The biometric services fee (or a fee-waiver request) if they are age 14 or older.

Online Accounts:

USCIS is transitioning to process TPS Nicaragua applications electronically; however, applicants must continue to complete the paper forms and submit them by mail. Once we receive the documents, we will scan them into our systems for processing. Applicants with properly filed submissions will receive a USCIS Account Acceptance Notice in the mail with instructions on how to create a USCIS online account.

An online account allows applicants to:

• Check the status of their case;
• Receive notifications and case updates;
• Respond to requests for evidence; and
• Manage contact information online, including address changes.

We will still process TPS Nicaragua applications even if applicants choose not to access their online account. We will also send copies of case notifications via the U.S. Postal Service.

Additional information about TPS, including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file, is available at uscis.gov/tps. The Federal Register notice published today contains further details about this TPS extension for Nicaragua.

USCIS will reject the TPS application of anyone who fails to submit the required filing fee or a properly documented fee-waiver request. Applicants may request that USCIS waive any fees based on an inability to pay by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or by submitting a written request. Fee-waiver requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation.

All USCIS forms are available for free. Download forms through the USCIS website at uscis.gov/forms.

Applicants can check their case status at My Case Status Online or by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. (For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833.)

For more information about USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.