Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Syria

ALERT: On March 18, 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced his decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria for 18 months, through Sept. 30, 2022. The Federal Register notice also provided for a 180-day automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) of existing beneficiaries of Syria TPS, through Sept. 27, 2021. Because a small number of re-registrations remain pending, we will issue individual notices to TPS beneficiaries whose EAD applications remain pending. These notices will further extend their existing EADs and can be used as evidence of their identity and continued employment authorization. We are automatically extending the EADs for these individuals through March 28, 2022.

TPS Designated Through:	Sept. 30, 2022
Re-Registration Period for People Who Already Have TPS:	March 19, 2021 - May 18, 2021
Registration Period for People Who are Applying for TPS for the First Time	March 19, 2021 - Sept. 30, 2022
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Auto-Extended Through:	March 28, 2022
Continuous Residence in U.S. Since:	March 19, 2021
Continuous Physical Presence in U.S. Since:	March 31, 2021
Initial TPS Designation Date:	March 29, 2012
Current TPS Designation Date:	March 31, 2021
Federal Register Notice Citation:	86 FR 14946 Link to TPS extension FRN

When to File for TPS

If you currently have TPS under Syria’s designation and would like to keep your TPS, you must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from March 19, 2021, through May 18, 2021. We encourage you to register as soon as possible within the 60-day re-registration period.

If you are filing an initial application for TPS under Syria’s redesignation, effective March 31, 2021, you must register during the 18-month registration period that runs from March 19, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022. We encourage you to register as soon as possible within the 18-month registration period.

Go to the TPS webpage for information about registering.

Where to File

If you are applying for TPS Syria for the first time, you may file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, online. Only initial applicants from certain countries are eligible to file Form I-821 online. All other TPS applicants and current beneficiaries who are re-registering under the extension of a TPS designation must continue to file a paper Form I-821. When filing an initial TPS application, you can also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online with your Form I-821.

File Online

If an initial TPS applicant from a country not currently eligible for online filing of Form I-821, or a re-registrant files Form I-821 online, USCIS will deny the application and retain the fee.

If you are filing for a replacement EAD for already granted TPS or for re-registration of TPS, send your TPS package to the appropriate address in the table below:

If you send your paper application via:	Then, mail your application to:
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):	USCIS Attn: TPS Syria P.O. Box 6943 Chicago, IL 60680-6943
FedEx, UPS, or DHL deliveries:	USCIS Attn: TPS Syria (Box 6943) 131 S. Dearborn 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension

USCIS has automatically extended the validity of employment authorization documents (EADs) issued with a March 31, 2021, expiration date under the TPS designation of Syria through Sept. 27, 2021. If your EAD is covered through this automatic extension, you may continue to use your existing EAD through Sept. 27, 2021, as evidence you are authorized to work.

To prove that you are authorized to work in the United States, you may show the following documentation to your employer. Government agencies may also accept these documents if they need to determine your immigration status:

Your TPS-related EAD with a March 31, 2021, expiration date; and
A copy of the Federal Register notice announcing the automatic extension.

Your employer may rely on the Federal Register notice as evidence of the continuing validity of your EAD. Go to the Documentation Employers May Accept and Temporary Protected Status Beneficiaries May Present as Evidence of Employment Eligibility page for more information.

If we approve your TPS re-registration application and you paid the fee for a new EAD (or if we approved your fee waiver request), we will issue you a new EAD with the expiration date of Sept. 30, 2022.

For more information on TPS eligibility requirements, what to file, and step-by-step instructions on submitting a re-registration or initial TPS application package, go to the TPS page.

Other Immigration Options

You might be eligible for other immigration options listed on the Explore My Options page.

To apply for a lawful permanent status (Green Card), you must be eligible under one of the categories listed on the Green Card Eligibility Categories page. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.

Note on Seeking Asylum: Being granted and maintaining TPS status until a reasonable period before the filing of the asylum application is considered an extraordinary circumstance for the purposes of the one-year filing deadline. In other words, having TPS status “stops the clock” on the requirement to file for asylum within one year of arriving in the United States, if the one-year clock has not already expired. See 8 CFR 208.4(a)(5)(iv).

Avoid Scams

Please be aware that some unauthorized practitioners may try to take advantage of you by claiming they can file TPS forms. These same individuals may ask that you pay them to file such forms. We want to ensure that all potential TPS applicants know how to obtain legitimate, accurate legal advice and assistance. A list of accredited representatives and free or low-cost legal providers is available on the USCIS website on the finding legal advice web page.

We don’t want you to become a victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized organization can give you legal advice. Visit the Avoid Scams page for information and resources.