Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine

Temporary Protected Status allows foreign citizens in the U.S. to live and work here. The U.S. government designated TPS for Ukraine for the period of Oct. 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025, following an earlier 18-month period.

You should apply as soon as possible if you want to register for TPS.

Eligibility for TPS

To be eligible for TPS for Ukraine as a new applicant, you must:

• Be a Ukrainian national. You must be a Ukrainian national, or if you don’t have nationality, you must have last “habitually resided” in Ukraine.
• Have lived in the U.S. since Aug. 16. You must have continuously lived in the U.S. since Aug. 16, 2023.
• Have been physically in the U.S. since Oct. 20. You must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since Oct. 20, 2023.

You may not be eligible if you were convicted of a crime or for other criminal or security reasons.

If you have eligibility questions, talk to a lawyer. You can use our Ukrainian Resource Finder to locate organizations offering direct services to Ukrainians in Ohio.

Applying for TPS

To apply for the first time:

• Complete the form. You can complete the form to apply for Temporary Protected Status online. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review your form once you apply. Make sure you sign the form before you submit it. 
• Apply for a work permit. When you apply for temporary protected status, you can also apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) by submitting another form. You can use an EAD to prove to an employer that you have permission to work in the U.S.
• Submit evidence. With your application, you must submit evidence to prove your identity and nationality, date of entry into the U.S., residence in the U.S. and court records if you were ever arrested, charged or convicted of a crime.
• Pay the fees. When you apply, you will be charged a filing fee and a biometrics fee. If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask for a fee waiver.
• Submit fingerprints. After you submit the application, USCIS may notify you of a biometrics appointment to take your fingerprints.
• Go to your appointment. If you get an appointment notice from the USCIS, it is important to go to the appointment. If you can’t make it, you can mail a request to reschedule. If you don’t go and you don’t reschedule, your application may be denied. 
• Respond to requests. USCIS may ask you for additional documents to determine if you are eligible for temporary protected status. It is important to respond immediately if you get a request for evidence or a notice of intent to deny.
• Get your results. USCIS will send a notice approving or denying your application.

You should apply as soon as possible during the registration period if you want TPS.

You must apply for Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine by April 19, 2025, when the designation period ends.

Re-registering for TPS

The U.S. government extended the TPS designation for Ukraine in 2023, allowing individuals who already had TPS to re-register for it. The re-registration period was Aug. 21, 2023, to Oct. 20, 2023.

If you missed the re-registration period:

• Write a letter. USCIS may accept a late re-registration application if you have good reason.
• Explain your reason. Show that you have good cause, or a good reason, for filing after the end of the re-registration period.
• Submit the letter. Include your letter with your re-registration application.

You can also ask for a new employment authorization document when you re-register for TPS.

Other options

TPS is not a path to citizenship.

You may qualify for another immigration benefit if you meet all the requirements of that particular benefit.

You may want to learn about Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole (UHP through U4U) or asylum and other humanitarian paths to immigration status.

If you have eligibility questions, talk to a lawyer. You can use our Ukrainian Resource Finder to locate organizations offering direct services to Ukrainians in Ohio.