Temporary Protected Status in 2026: Current Country-by-Country Status

What Is Temporary Protected Status?

TPS is a temporary humanitarian protection available to eligible nationals of countries designated by the U.S. government because conditions in the country temporarily prevent people from safely returning. Eligible TPS beneficiaries may receive protection from removal and authorization to work in the United States.

TPS does not by itself create a path to permanent residence or citizenship. A person with TPS may, however, have other immigration options, including asylum or a family- or employment-based immigration process, depending on the circumstances.

Countries That Currently Have TPS

As of September 10, 2026, TPS remains in effect for several countries, although the applicable dates and rules differ. Current information indicates that El Salvador, Lebanon, Sudan, and Ukraine retain TPS protections under their respective designations.

• El Salvador: TPS remains in effect for now while the government determines the next step.
• Lebanon: The current designation extends through November 27, 2026.
• Sudan: The current designation extends through October 19, 2026.
• Ukraine: The current designation extends through October 19, 2026.

These dates are not interchangeable. TPS holders should check the rules that apply to their specific country and immigration history rather than relying on a general TPS expiration date.

Countries Where TPS Has Ended

In 2025 and 2026, TPS has ended for numerous countries, including Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela in most circumstances, and Yemen. Several of these terminations have been challenged in federal court.

The Supreme Court's June 2026 decision concerning Haiti and Syria made it significantly harder to obtain judicial relief against TPS termination decisions. Other cases may still affect individual countries, so a termination date should not be viewed in isolation from current court orders or government guidance.

Important Caveats for TPS Holders

One of the most important distinctions is between TPS itself and employment authorization. Having an unexpired or automatically extended work permit does not necessarily establish that a person still has TPS protection. The legal basis and validity period of the employment authorization must be examined carefully.

Venezuela is a particularly complicated example. Different groups of Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries may be affected differently depending on the designation, approval documents, and subsequent government and court actions. The same principle applies when a country has been subject to litigation or a recent termination.

TPS also does not automatically prevent someone from pursuing asylum or another immigration benefit. However, eligibility, deadlines, and the effect of prior immigration history can be complicated, particularly when an asylum application is filed more than one year after arrival in the United States.

What Should TPS Holders Do Next?

If your TPS designation has been extended, keep track of the next expiration date and any applicable employment authorization extension. If your country's TPS has ended or is scheduled to end, do not assume that you must leave the United States without first determining whether another form of immigration protection or status may be available.

An immigration attorney can review your TPS history, work authorization, prior applications, family relationships, and any immigration or removal proceedings to identify options that may remain available.