DHS Secretary Designates Venezuela for TPS; Implements DED for Venezuela

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas designated Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective March 9, 2021, through Sept. 9, 2022. Venezuelan nationals and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela may submit an initial registration application under the designation for TPS for Venezuela during the 180-day registration period that begins March 9, 2021, and ends on Sept. 5, 2021, and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Once a beneficiary is granted TPS, they are authorized to work. If the individual applied for an EAD, it will have a Category Code of A12 or C19.

Based on a Jan. 19, 2021, presidential memorandum, DHS is also implementing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Venezuela through July 20, 2022, for Venezuelan nationals and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela. DED-related EADs have a Category Code of A11 and are acceptable List A documents that establish identity and employment authorization.

Individuals who apply for and receive TPS for Venezuela and who are also covered by DED for Venezuela do not need to apply for employment authorization documentation under both programs. For additional information, view the Federal Register notice designating Venezuela for TPS and implementing DED for Venezuela as well as the USCIS TPS webpage.