The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the re-registration process for beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela on September 7. 

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas had already announced last July his determination to extend the Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan citizens for 18 months, when he argued that extending the program would "provide humanitarian support to Venezuelans in Venezuela and abroad". 

Here are some of the most important keys to understanding who is eligible for the program extension and what steps they must take to do so. 

Who can re-register for the extension of the TPS program for Venezuelans?

Re-registration must be made by those TPS beneficiaries whose initial application had already been approved prior to the announcement of the extension of TPS to Venezuelans, including Venezuelans whose TPS was approved days before it expired. 

Only Venezuelan nationals who were residing in the United States prior to March 8, 2021 and who are already beneficiaries of the original TPS designation for Venezuela, announced on March 9, 2021, will be able to renew their Temporary Protected Status and apply for a new work permit (EAD).  

What is the deadline to re-register for the TPS program for Venezuelans?

Venezuelan nationals with approved TPS will have 60 days to re-register for the temporary protection program.. The re-registration period began on September 8, 2022 and will be open until November 7, 2022. Those citizens who do not re-register within the deadline stipulated by the immigration authority may be denied access to the temporary protection program.

Is it necessary to submit a new application for the renewal of the work permit (EAD) of Venezuelan citizens who are already TPS beneficiaries?

Not immediately, the TPS extension notice automatically renews the validity of the work permits (EAD) for one year, until September 9, 2023. However, USCIS recommendsHowever, USCIS recommends applying for work permit renewal with Form I-765. Form I-765 a few months prior to its expiration, to obtain a renewal valid until 2024.

What happens to Venezuelans who applied for TPS in the previous period and have not yet received a response? Should they re-register for the program in this new period?

No. Venezuelan nationals who applied for TPS and have not yet received a response regarding the approval of their document should not re-register their TPS application. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has advised that it will continue to has informed that it will continue to process pending applications, and Venezuelans who meet the eligibility requirements would be granted TPS and work authorization valid until March 10, 2024.

What happens to Venezuelan nationals who did not register for TPS within the period contemplated in the initial designation with a deadline of September 9, 2022? Can they re-register for TPS for Venezuelans in this new period?

No. Those eligible to apply for TPS, but who did not register before the September 9, 2022 deadline, will not be able to benefit from Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela, nor from the extension of the program. 

What steps must be followed to re-register for the TPS program for Venezuelans?

During the extension period (September 8 through November 7, 2022), those interested in renewing TPS will need to complete Form I-821. They can do so directly online at the USCIS website, or print a physical copy and send it through the mail. It is important to note that if the applicant's TPS was granted by an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), a copy of the document certifying the court decision must be included.

Only the $85 biometric fee for the new registration must be paid. It is not necessary to send a copy of the documentation pertaining to the first TPS application, however, the immigration authority has the power to request it in the future.    

If applying by mail, if the applicant resides in Florida and uses the USPS mail service, he/she may send the documentation to USCIS, at the following address: Attn: TPS Venezuela, P.O. Box 20300, Phoenix, AZ 85036-0300. If, on the other hand, you reside in any other state in the United States and use the USPS mail service, you should send your application to USCIS, Attn: TPS Venezuela, P.O. Box 805282, Chicago, IL 60680-5285.