Release Date 02/03/2025 After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer support the 2023 designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will no longer be in effect starting 60 days after publication of the Federal Register notice . Find more information about TPS at uscis.gov/tps . For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , YouTube , Facebook and LinkedIn . https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-terminates-the-2023-designation-of-venezuela-for-temporary-protected-status

ALERT: Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS waives any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application based on the applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination. https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

Release Date 01/15/2025 WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security announced on Jan. 10, 2025, the extension of the 2023 designation of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela for 18 months, from April 3, 2025, to Oct. 2, 2026, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Venezuela that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about re-registering for TPS as a current beneficiary under Venezuela’s extension. After consultation with interagency partners, it was determined that an 18-month extension of TPS is warranted based on the severe humanitarian emergency the country continues to face due to political and economic crises under the inhumane Maduro regime. The extension of TPS for Venezuela allows approximately 607,000 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through Oct. 2, 2026, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements. Current beneficiaries under TPS for Venezuela, including those registered under the Oct. 3, 2023, or the prior March 9, 2021, TPS designation, must re-register in a timely manner during the re-registration period from Jan. 17, 2025, through Sept. 10, 2025, to ensure they maintain TPS and employment authorization. Every individual processed by the Department of Homeland Security goes through rigorous national security and public safety vetting during the original application process and again during re-registration. If any individual is identified as posing a threat, they may be detained, removed, or referred to other federal agencies for further investigation or prosecution as appropriate. Individuals are barred from TPS if they have been convicted of any felony or two misdemeanors. Individuals registered under either the March 9, 2021, TPS designation or the Oct. 3, 2023, TPS designation will be allowed to re-register under the Venezuela 2023 extension. All Venezuela TPS beneficiaries who re-register for TPS under the Venezuela 2023 extension and are approved by USCIS will obtain TPS through the same extension date of Oct. 2, 2026. DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants who renew their EAD may receive it before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through April 2, 2026, the validity of certain EADs previously issued under Venezuela’s TPS designation. As proof of continued employment authorization through April 2, 2026, TPS beneficiaries can show their EAD with the Category A12 or C19 and a Card Expires date of: Sept. 10, 2025; April 2, 2025; March 10, 2024; or Sept. 9, 2022. USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Venezuela. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status , or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , as of Jan. 17, 2025, do not need to file either application again. If USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the previous designations of TPS for Venezuela, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through Oct. 2, 2026, and issue an EAD valid through the same date. The Federal Register notice explains eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs. This extension only applies to individuals already in the United States and who are current beneficiaries of TPS for Venezuela. All irregular migration journeys are extremely dangerous, unforgiving, and often result in loss of life. DHS will continue to enforce U.S. laws and will return noncitizens who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-publishes-federal-register-notice-extending-temporary-protected-status-for-venezuela

Release Date 01/15/2025 WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security announced on Jan. 10, 2025, the extension of Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine for 18 months, from April 20, 2025, to Oct. 19, 2026, due to armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ukraine that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about registering for TPS as a current beneficiary under Ukraine’s extension. After consultation with interagency partners, it was determined that an 18-month extension of TPS is warranted because conditions that support Ukraine’s designation are ongoing. The extension is based on the war with Russia, now in its third year, which has involved large-scale attacks on major cities, resulting in increased civilian casualties, significant infrastructure damage, and widespread humanitarian suffering. The extension of TPS for Ukraine allows approximately 103,700 current beneficiaries to re-register for TPS from Jan. 17, 2025, through March 18, 2025, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements. Current beneficiaries under TPS for Ukraine must re-register in a timely manner during the re-registration period to ensure they maintain TPS and employment authorization. Every individual processed by the Department of Homeland Security goes through rigorous national security and public safety vetting during the original application process and again during re-registration. If any individual is identified as posing a threat, they may be detained, removed, or referred to other federal agencies for further investigation or prosecution as appropriate. Individuals are barred from TPS if they have been convicted of any felony or two misdemeanors. DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants who apply for a new Employment Authorization Document may receive it before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through April 19, 2026, the validity of EADs previously issued under Ukraine’s TPS designation. As proof of continued employment authorization through April 19, 2026, TPS beneficiaries can show their EAD with the Category A12 or C19 under and a Card Expires date of April 19, 2025, or Oct. 19, 2023. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Ukraine. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status , or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , as of Jan. 17, 2025, 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 Ukraine, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through Oct. 19, 2026, and issue an EAD valid through the same date. The Federal Register notice explains eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs. This extension only applies to individuals already in the United States and who are current beneficiaries of TPS for Ukraine. All irregular migration journeys are extremely dangerous, unforgiving, and often result in loss of life. DHS will continue to enforce U.S. laws and will return noncitizens who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-publishes-federal-register-notice-extending-temporary-protected-status-for-ukraine Last Reviewed/Updated: 01/15/2025

Release Date 01/15/2025 WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security announced on Jan. 10, 2025, the extension of Temporary Protected Status for Sudan for 18 months, from April 20, 2025, to Oct. 19, 2026, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Sudan that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about registering for TPS as a current beneficiary under Sudan’s extension. After consultation with interagency partners, it was determined that an 18-month extension of TPS is warranted because conditions that support Sudan’s designation are ongoing. The extension is based on continued political instability that that has triggered human rights abuses, including direct attacks on civilians. The extension of TPS for Sudan allows approximately 1,900 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through Oct. 19, 2026, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements. Current beneficiaries under TPS for Sudan must re-register in a timely manner during the re-registration period from Jan. 17, 2025, through March 18, 2025, to ensure they maintain TPS and employment authorization. Every individual processed by the Department of Homeland Security goes through rigorous national security and public safety vetting during the original application process and again during re-registration. If any individual is identified as posing a threat, they may be detained, removed, or referred to other federal agencies for further investigation or prosecution as appropriate. Individuals are barred from TPS if they have been convicted of any felony or two misdemeanors. DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants who apply for a new EAD may receive it before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through April 19, 2026, the validity of certain EADs previously issued under Sudan’s TPS designation. As proof of continued employment authorization through April 19, 2026, TPS beneficiaries can show their EAD with the Category A12 or C19 and a Card Expires date of: April 19, 2025; June 30, 2024; Dec. 31, 2022; Oct. 4, 2021; Jan. 4, 2021; Jan. 2, 2020; April 2, 2019; Nov. 2, 2018; or Nov. 2, 2017. USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Sudan. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status , or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , as of Jan. 17, 2025, 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 Sudan, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through Oct. 19, 2026, and issue an EAD valid through the same date. The Federal Register notice explains eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs. This extension only applies to individuals already in the United States and who are current beneficiaries of TPS for Sudan. All irregular migration journeys are extremely dangerous, unforgiving, and often result in loss of life. DHS will continue to enforce U.S. laws and will return noncitizens who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-publishes-federal-register-notice-extending-temporary-protected-status-for-sudan Last Reviewed/Updated: 01/15/2025

Release Date 01/10/2025 Extension Allows Eligible Salvadoran Nationals to Maintain TPS and Employment Authorization WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security announced today the extension of Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador for 18 months, from March 10, 2025, to Sept. 9, 2026, due to environmental conditions in El Salvador that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about how to re-register for TPS under El Salvador’s TPS extension. After reviewing the country conditions in El Salvador and consulting with interagency partners, it was determined that an 18-month TPS extension is warranted because of continued conditions from environmental disasters that resulted in a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in the affected areas of El Salvador. El Salvador’s extension of TPS is based on geological and weather events, including significant storms and heavy rainfall in 2023 and 2024, that continue to affect areas heavily impacted by the earthquakes in 2001. Those earthquakes were the basis of El Salvador’s initial TPS designation on March 9, 2001. The extension of TPS for El Salvador allows approximately 232,000 current beneficiaries to re-register for TPS, if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Re-registration is limited to individuals who previously registered for and were granted TPS under El Salvador’s prior designation. Every individual processed by the Department of Homeland Security goes through rigorous national security and public safety vetting during the original application process and again during re-registration. If any individual is identified as posing a threat, they may be detained, removed, or referred to other federal agencies for further investigation or prosecution as appropriate. Individuals are barred from TPS if they have been convicted of any felony or two misdemeanors. Current beneficiaries under TPS for El Salvador must re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day re-registration period beginning when the Federal Register notice is published to ensure they keep their TPS and employment authorization. DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants may receive a new Employment Authorization Document before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through March 9, 2026, the validity of EADs previously issued under El Salvador’s TPS designation. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for El Salvador. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status , or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , starting when Federal Notice publishes, 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 El Salvador, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through Sept. 9, 2026, and issue an EAD valid through the same date. The Federal Register notice explains eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and to renew their EADs. This extension only applies to individuals already in the United States and who are current beneficiaries of TPS for El Salvador. All irregular migration journeys are extremely dangerous, unforgiving, and often result in loss of life. DHS will continue to enforce U.S. laws and will return noncitizens who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-publishes-federal-register-notice-extending-temporary-protected-status-for-el-salvador

ALERT: On Dec. 10, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule that permanently increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents available to certain EAD renewal applicants from up to 180 days to up to 540 days. The final rule will continue to help prevent eligible renewal EAD applicants from experiencing a lapse in employment authorization and/or the validity of their EAD due to lengthy processing times. The final rule will become effective on Jan. 13, 2025, and will apply to certain timely filed renewal EAD applications pending or filed on or after May 4, 2022. ALERT: If you filed Form I-765 based on a grant of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or a pending TPS application, please see the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) section below for more information on TPS-specific requirements for the automatic EAD extension. If you filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to renew your expiring Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you may qualify for an automatic extension of the expiration date printed on your EAD while your application is pending. You qualify for this automatic extension if: The Form I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt notice you received for your pending Form I-765 renewal application has a “Received Date” that is before the “Card Expires” date shown on the face of your EAD; The Form I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt notice has a “Received Date” on or after May 4, 2022, and on or before Sept. 30, 2025; Your renewal application is under a category that is eligible for an automatic extension (see the list of categories below); and The category on your current EAD matches the “Eligibility Category” or “Class Requested” listed on your Form I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt notice. (The table below lists exceptions for certain categories.) If all the above factors are true, then your employment authorization does not expire on the date printed on your EAD, because you have been granted an automatic extension. To determine your actual EAD expiration date, please see the “Automatic Extension Eligibility Calculator” below. https://www.uscis.gov/eadautoextend

Release Date 12/23/2024 On Jan. 17, 2025, we will publish a revised edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date: 01/17/25). The form has been revised to align with the recently announced H-1B modernization final rule and the H-2 modernization final rule . The 01/17/25 edition of Form I-129 replaces the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129. There is no grace period for the revised edition of Form I-129 because this revised edition is necessary for USCIS to apply the final rules. Effective Jan. 17, 2025, we will reject Form I-129 petitions received using the 04/01/24 edition of the form. We are providing a preview version of the 01/17/25 edition of Form I-129 (PDF, 2.19 MB) and its instructions . Do not file the 01/17/25 edition of Form I-129 before Jan. 17, 2025. We will only accept the 01/17/25 edition of this form if it is received on or after Jan. 17, 2025. If you file Form I-129 on paper by mail, please note that: We will accept the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129 if it is received before Jan. 17, 2025; We will not accept the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129 if it is received on or after Jan. 17, 2025; and We will only accept the 01/17/25 edition of Form I-129 if it is received on or after Jan. 17, 2025. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-publirevised-form-i-129-petition-for-a-nonimmigrant-worker Last Reviewed/Updated: 12/23/2024

Release Date 12/12/2024 We are issuing updated policy guidance on the types of evidence that may support an application under the International Entrepreneur Rule . The guidance covers evidence of the applicant’s central and active role in the startup entity and of the applicant’s position to substantially help the entity grow and succeed. The guidance also expands on the types of evidence that can show qualified investments and qualified government awards or grants, and the types of alternative evidence that an applicant may submit. It also clarifies the types of evidence that can support a finding of significant public benefit. The guidance, contained in Volume 3 of USCIS Policy Manual , is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after Dec. 12. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-updated-guidance-on-evidence-for-applicants-under-the-international-entrepreneur-rule