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:
- Be a national of Cameroon
- Be continuously physically present in the US since the effective date of the designation, on or before April 14, 2022
- Have continuously resided in the US since April 14, 2022
- Not be barred for certain criminal or national security reasons (for example, individuals who have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors)
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:
- Have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States;
- Are found inadmissible under applicable grounds in INA section 212(a), including non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds;
- Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum. These include, but are not limited to, participating in the persecution of another individual or engaging in or inciting terrorist activity; or
- Fail to meet the continuous physical presence and continuous residence in the United States requirements.
What are the benefits of TPS?
- Protection from deportation;
- Obtain employment authorization and can work legally in the U.S.; and
- May travel out of the U.S. with permission.
How do eligible individuals apply for TPS?
The registration period will run through …
- To register for TPS based on the designation of Cameroon, you must submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) and pay the filing fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)).
- All applicants must submit a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status as a new applicant by selecting “1.a This is my initial (first time) application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). I do not currently have TPS,” along with the required $50 fee for Form I-821 or request for fee waiver. There is a $50 fee for Form I-821, or applicants can apply for a fee waiver.
- There is a $50 fee for Form I-821, or applicants can apply for a fee waiver.
- Applicants age 14 and over must also submit a biometrics service fee, which is $85. Individuals unable to pay the biometrics fee may submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912).
- More information on fee waivers can be found here: uscis.gov/i-912.
- If you receive a denial of your fee waiver request and are unable to refile by the registration deadline, you may still refile your Form I-821 with the biometrics fee. USCIS will review this situation to determine whether you established good cause for late TPS registration. However, you are urged to refile within 45 days of the date on any USCIS fee waiver denial notice, if possible.
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.
- How to avoid Legal Services Fraud?
- CAUTION!: Contact with the Criminal Legal System
Special Student Relief (SRR) Status
- What is Special Student Relief?
- Who qualifies for SSR?
- How do I apply for SSR?