Temporary Protected Status (TPS) For Cameroon Application and Eligibility Guide

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of specific countries experiencing situations, such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions, that make deportation or forced return to that country unsafe. TPS provides a work permit and stay of deportation to foreign nationals from those countries who are in the United States at the time the US government makes that designation. 


On April 15, 2022 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated TPS for Cameroon, meaning that Cameroonians who were in the US on or before April 14, 2022 may be eligible for TPS. The TPS designation for Cameroon will last for 18 months. At least 60 days before the expiration of TPS, DHS must decide whether to extend or terminate a designation based on the ongoing conditions in Cameroon. Decisions to begin, extend, or terminate a TPS designation must be published in the Federal Register.

Who is eligible for TPS?

In order to qualify for TPS an individual must:

Individuals do not automatically receive TPS. Eligible individuals must register during a specific registration period and pay significant fees. An individual’s immigration status at the time of application for TPS has no effect on that individual’s eligibility.

However, otherwise eligible individuals are not eligible if they:

What are the benefits of TPS?

How do eligible individuals apply for TPS?

The registration period will run through …

Employment Authorization for TPS

  • TPS work authorization under this designation for Cameroon will be valid until…
  • Applicants who want to obtain an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD, under TPS must file an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and pay the Form I-765 fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)).
  • If you do not want to request an EAD during the TPS registration period, you may also file Form I-765 at a later date and pay the fee (or request a fee waiver), provided that you still have TPS or a pending TPS application.
  • Consult the Federal Register Notice for more information about what documents to present to your employer related to work authorization through TPS.
  • For general questions about the employment eligibility verification process, employees may call USCIS at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-875-6028) or email USCIS at I-9Central@dhs.gov. USCIS accepts calls in English, and French languages. Employees or applicants may also call the IER Worker Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515) for information regarding employment discrimination based upon citizenship, immigration status, or national origin, including discrimination related to Form I-9 and E-Verify.

Special Student Relief (SRR) Status