Extension and Redesignation of Yemen and Somalia for TPS

On July 8, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from September 4, 2024, to March 3, 2026.   On July 19, 2024, DHS announced the extension and redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from September 18, 2024, to March 17, 2026.

This extension allows current Yemeni TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 3, 2026 and allows Somalian TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 17, 2026, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements. Current TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through March 3, 2026 for Yemen and March 17, 2026 for Somalia, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from July 10, 2024 through September 9, 2024 for Yemen and from July 22, 2024 through September 20, 2024 for Somalia, to ensure they keep their TPS and employment authorization.

The Federal Register notices for Yemen and Somalia for these announcements provide information about registering for TPS as a new or current beneficiary under these extensions and redesignations. The Federal Register notice explains eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, and for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD.

This announcement also included a notice of Special Student Relief for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Yemen or Somalia, or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen or Somalia.  Eligible students may request employment authorization, authorization to work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the TPS designation period. 

Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, as of the dates of these announcements do not need to file either application again. If USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the previous designation of TPS for Yemen or Somalia, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through March 3, 2026 (Yemen) or March 17, 2026 (Somalia), and issue an EAD valid through the same date.

Under the redesignation of Somalia, eligible individuals who do not have TPS may submit an initial Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the initial registration period that runs from July 22, 2024 through March 17, 2026. Applicants also may apply for TPS-related EADs and for travel authorization. Applicants can request an EAD by submitting a completed Form I-765 with their Form I-821, or separately at a later date.