Certain nationals of Venezuela who arrived in the United States on or before July 31, 2023 may be eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
TPS offers temporary protection and a work permit. A country may be designated for TPS due to an ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent nationals from returning to the country safely. To qualify for TPS for Venezuelans, you must have resided in the United States on or before July 31, 2023 and you must maintain continuous presence in the United States starting on or before October 3, 2023. Some crimes (including 2 or more misdemeanors) or national security reasons bar you from TPS. If you lived in a third country before coming to the United States it may affect your eligibility. If you are granted TPS, you will need to re-register during all future re-registration periods in order to maintain TPS.
The initial registration period for TPS for Venezuelan nationals will be October 3, 2023 to April 2, 2025. You must apply during this time period.
Prior to scheduling an appointment with NIJC, please gather the following documents to support your application:
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Required Identity and Civil Documents
- Birth certificate
- Current photo ID (consular ID, driver’s license, school identification, or municipal ID/Chicago CityKey)
- All passports (current and expired)
- 2 passport-style photos (2 inches x 2 inches) — only if applying for work permit
- Proof You Were in the United States on or before October 3, 2023
- Any travel records of your entry (passport stamp, I-94, plane ticket, bus ticket)
- Cell phone, electricity, gas or water bill
- Proof of Your Continuous Residence in the United States from on or before July 31, 2023 to the present
| Preferred Documents | Other Possible Documents |
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- Certified Court Dispositions for All Your Arrests
If you have ever been arrested (e.g. you were placed in handcuffs, placed in the back of police car, taken to the police station) by any law enforcement agency in the United States or were charged with an offense and needed to go to court, request certified court dispositions for each arrest or charge (even juvenile arrests). In most cases, you can request dispositions from the local court where the incident occurred.
- Proof of any Prior Immigration History, including Removal (deportation) Proceedings
- Notice to Appear, Notice of a Hearing, and any other immigration court documents\
- Any documents related to border or ICE encounters
- Any applications filed and receipt notices
- Fees (required at retainer signing)
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USCIS Filings Fees* |
OR |
Fee Waiver (Form I-912) |
*All fees are subject to change. |
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NIJC needs to review fee waiver documents before confirming eligibility for a fee waiver |