The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designates certain countries for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and permits citizens of these countries to apply for temporary immigration status in the U.S. To request this temporary status, eligible nationals of designated countries must file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) along with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. All the applicants, irrespective of age, must file the I-765 application even if they do not want work permits.
Until June 31, 2014, USCIS will continue to accept editions of Form I-821 dated 11/23/10 and 10/17/07, after which only the new edition of the form, dated 02/20/14, will be accepted.
People applying for TPS for the first time are not allowed to e-file their applications. They will need to file their paper forms at the right address, listed in the Federal Register notice, for their respective countries. They must mail both Form I-821 and Form I-765 together with the required fee.
All those who apply for TPS for the first time will need to submit the Form I-821 filing fee of $50. Applicants, other than those below age 14, have to pay an $85 fee for biometric services along with the form filing fee. The I-765 application filing fee of $380 must be paid only by those who seek to work in the U.S. and who need employment authorization documents. Applicants for TPS who do not need work permits need not pay the filing fee for Form I-765.
TPS beneficiaries applying for re-registration may file their requests electronically. They can also e-file their applications for work permits. There is no fee for TPS re-registration but re-registrants will need to pay the fee for biometrics services and for work permits (if they need one).