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USCISHumanitarian & Relief

Official form guide

Form I-821: Application for Temporary Protected Status

Form I-821 is the Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). It allows eligible nationals of designated countries to apply for temporary protection from deportation and work authorization while in the United States.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-821 - Application for Temporary Protected Status

Form I-821 is the Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). It allows eligible nationals of designated countries to apply for temporary protection from deportation and work authorization while in the United States.

Captures personal information, country of designation basis, U.S. address, employment history, and supporting evidence for TPS eligibility.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1TPS designation status can change at any time, potentially ending your protection period unexpectedly.
  • 2Missing deadline for initial application or re-registration
  • 3Insufficient documentation of nationality or continuous residence
  • 4Incorrect or outdated mailing address
  • 5Failure to include proper fee or fee waiver request

Plain English

This form helps people from certain countries facing dangerous conditions like armed conflict or natural disasters to get temporary permission to stay and work in the U.S. TPS is not a path to permanent residency or citizenship.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: Filed when a country has been newly designated for TPS or during a re-registration period if already enrolled. Deadlines are set by USCIS for each designation.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

permanent

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use this form when your country is currently designated for TPS and you meet eligibility requirements
  • Do not use this form if you're applying for asylum, refugee status, or other immigration benefits
  • Check Form I-821D for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) eligibility

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Country not designated for TPS

If facing persecution, asylum may be an alternative

✓ Consult immigration attorney

Form I-589 (Asylum)

Seeking permanent residency

TPS does not directly lead to green card

✓ Explore other visa options

Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)

Need work authorization only

May be used separately from TPS

✓ Check eligibility requirements

Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

Deadline or filing window

TPS application deadlines are set by USCIS for each country designation and can change. Missing deadlines typically means losing eligibility for that designation period. Check the USCIS website for the most current deadline information for your specific country designation.

  • —Number of months in U.S. since designation date | None | Eligibility period | Must meet continuous residence requirement
  • —Current date minus application deadline date | None | Days remaining to file | Submit well before deadline to avoid mailing delays

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Personal Information

Passport, national ID, birth certificate · Personal documents

⚠ Using expired documents✕ High
2

Country of Designation

Proof of nationality from designated country · Passport, national ID

⚠ Failing to prove nationality✕ High
3

U.S. Address

Utility bills, lease agreement, bank statements · Mail, financial documents

⚠ Using outdated address✕ Medium
4

Continuous Residence

School records, employment records, medical records · Various documents

⚠ Gaps in documentation✕ High
5

Criminal History

Police reports, court dispositions · Legal documents

⚠ Failure to disclose all offenses✕ High
6

Employment Authorization

Employer letters, pay stubs · Work records

⚠ Inconsistent work history✕ Medium

Before you submit

  1. 1Form I-821 completely filled out with current information
  2. 2Correct filing fee or completed fee waiver request
  3. 3Copies of all required supporting documents
  4. 4Recent passport-style photographs if required
  5. 5Completed biometrics appointment notice after filing
  6. 6Verification of correct mailing address
  7. 7Copies of all documents submitted for your records
  8. 8Check for any country-specific additional requirements

How to file this form

  1. 1Obtain the latest Form I-821 from USCIS website
  2. 2Complete all sections with accurate information
  3. 3Gather required documents proving eligibility
  4. 4Prepare payment or complete fee waiver request
  5. 5Mail application to correct USCIS Lockbox facility
  6. 6Attend biometrics appointment when scheduled
  7. 7Keep copies of everything submitted
  8. 8Track application status online using receipt number

Known limitations

  1. 1TPS does not lead directly to permanent residency or citizenship
  2. 2Designations can be terminated by the U.S. government
  3. 3Must re-register during designated periods to maintain status
  4. 4Criminal history may affect eligibility
  5. 5Travel outside the U.S. may affect continuous residence requirement
  6. 6TPS beneficiaries cannot self-petition for status renewal

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant Info

3 items

Full Legal Name

Your current legal name as in your passport.

Requiredtext
Date and Place of Birth

Complete date (MM/DD/YYYY) and city/country of birth.

Requiredtext
Country of Nationality

Country where you hold citizenship.

Requiredtext

Basis

2 items

Basis for Protection

Detailed description of the harm, persecution, or disaster you are fleeing.

Requiredtext
Date of Last Arrival in U.S.

Date you last entered the United States (MM/DD/YYYY).

Requireddate

Evidence

1 items

Supporting Evidence

List all documents supporting your application, including affidavits, country condition reports, and identification.

Requiredtext

Signatures

1 items

Applicant Signature

Sign under penalty of perjury.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
USCIS

TPS designations vary by country and may be extended, terminated, or redesignated based on country conditions. Check USCIS website for current designations and deadlines.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date: Verify you're using the latest version available on USCIS website
  • Fee: Current filing fee amount (subject to change)
  • Mailing address: Correct Lockbox address for your location
  • Biometrics appointment: Required after filing
  • Supporting documents: Complete evidence of eligibility
  • Fee waiver request: If applicable, complete Form I-912

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Quick Facts

Eligible nationals of countries designated for TPS who are already physically present in the United States.
Captures personal information, country of designation basis, U.S. address, employment history, and supporting evidence for TPS eligibility.
Filed when a country has been newly designated for TPS or during a re-registration period if already enrolled. Deadlines are set by USCIS for each designation.
Submitted by mail to the USCIS Lockbox facility specified in the form instructions, with applicable fees or fee waiver request.
Mistakes can lead to application denial, loss of work authorization, or deportation. Incomplete or inaccurate information may result in missed deadlines or rejection.
Complete the form with current information, gather required documents, prepare payment or fee waiver request, mail to the correct USCIS address, and keep copies of everything submitted. Include evidence of nationality, identity, continuous residence since designation date, and current U.S. address.

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After you file

  1. 1Keep all application materials and copies in a safe place
  2. 2Monitor mail for biometrics appointment notice
  3. 3Attend biometrics appointment as scheduled
  4. 4Check application status online using receipt number
  5. 5Respond promptly to any requests for additional evidence
  6. 6Update USCIS if your address changes
  7. 7Renew work authorization before expiration
  8. 8Maintain continuous physical presence in the U.S.

Sources

  • SRCForm I-821 purpose: Application for Temporary Protected Status
  • SRCTPS eligibility requirements: Nationality of designated country, continuous residence, continuous physical presence
  • SRCFiling fee: Subject to change, verify current amount on USCIS website
  • SRCDesignated countries: Varies by designation, check current list on USCIS website
  • SRCBiometrics requirement: Required after filing for all applicants
  • SRCRe-registration requirement: Must apply during designated periods for extensions
  • SRCWork authorization: Included with TPS approval through Form I-765
  • SRCTravel authorization: Requires separate Form I-131 application

Common confusion points

TPS vs. asylum

TPS is based on country conditions, asylum on individual persecution

→ Check country designation status

Continuous residence requirement

Must prove presence since designation date

→ Review entry documents and timeline

Work authorization

Automatically granted with TPS approval

→ Apply separately if not included

Re-registration requirement

Must apply each time TPS is extended

→ Monitor USCIS announcements

Travel permissions

Generally requires advance parole

→ File Form I-131 separately

Family eligibility

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may apply

→ File separate applications

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record), passport, visa

Current

I-821

After

Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Often used with

Form I-765 (Employment Authorization), Form I-131 (Travel Document)

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Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms

Independent guide

BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.

Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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