Temporary Protected Status is designated to a foreign country by the Secretary of Homeland Security if the conditions in that country are temporarily preventing individuals to return safely. TPS is designated to certain countries or parts of countries either due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, an epidemic, or any other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

To qualify for TPS under Ethiopia's classification, individuals must show that they have lived continuously in the United States since Oct. 20, 2022, and that  they have been physically present continuously in the country since Dec. 12, 2022.

Individuals arriving in the United States after October 20, 2022, are not eligible for TPS under this designation and may be subject to removal if they have no other authorization to be in the United States or remain beyond their authorized period of stay. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), approximately 26,700 people may qualify for TPS under Ethiopia's designation.

Individuals applying for TPS under Ethiopia's designation must submit  an Application for Temporary Protected Status (I-821), within the 18-month initial registration period that runs from Dec. 12, 2022, through June 12, 2024. Applicants for the Ethiopia TPS are qualified to submit Form I-821 online. By submitting a completed Application for Employment Authorization (I-765), together with their Form I-821 when completing a TPS application, applicants can apply for an Employment Authorization Document. Form I-765 which is required in order to receive an Employment Authorization Card, may also be submitted online by applicants.

For more information on this program, please contact our office.