SOUTH SUDAN TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS EXTENDED FOR 18 MONTHS

By: Navdeep Meamber

The United States Department of Homeland Security has redesignated South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), extending TPS for the 18-month period from May 3, 2022 to November 3, 2023.

APPLICATION PROCESS 
South Sudanese nationals or individuals with no nationality who habitually lived in South Sudan can apply by submitting an initial registration application and applying for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) during the 18-month period. First-time applicants may apply for TPS from March 3, 2022 to November 3, 2023.

Current TPS beneficiaries from South Sudan aiming to maintain status should re-register during the period of March 3, 2022 – May 3, 2022. USCIS will automatically extend EAD documents previously issued to South Sudanese TPS beneficiaries until November 1, 2022. South Sudanese TPS beneficiaries do not need to show additional documentation, such as an I-797 Notice of Action, to qualify for the extension if they have an EAD.

TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) ELIGIBILITY 
South Sudanese nationals or nationless individuals who last resided in South Sudan may qualify for TPS if:

• They continuously resided in the US since March 1, 2022.
• They had continuous physical presence in the US since March 3, 2022.

TPS grants nationals of certain countries with temporary work authorization and stay of deportation. TPS is granted to countries facing extraordinary conditions, like natural disasters or armed conflict.

CONCLUSION 
For help filing a TPS application or to learn more about your visa options, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration team.