Have you ever heard about Temporary Protected Status (TPS)? If you have not, this information is perfect for you. TPS is one of the most valuable immigration opportunities for Venezuelans who have been in the United States since before March 2021, at which time Venezuela was incorporated as one of the countries to which temporary protection status is provided.

TPS is a temporary benefit that allows people of certain nationalities to temporarily live and work legally in the United States. The US Department of Homeland Security determines who can benefit from this program, which are generally people who come from countries with extraordinary or dangerous conditions.

The TPS can be granted from 6 to 18 months, it can even be extended for a longer time, in the case of Venezuela it has been granted for 18 months. If you have been in the United States since before March 2021, and you have not yet applied, this benefit can help you live and work legally in the United States, and in the meantime be able to have a controlled immigration status until you obtain some type of American Visa, such as the student visa or talent visa.

Advantages of TPS

TPS is a provisional benefit to be able to live in the United States and work at the same time; however, it does not guarantee that it is the direct path for obtaining permanent residence or “green card”. What the TPS can offer their beneficiaries is an employment authorization document, obtaining a legal status that allows them to stay in the North American country.

While enjoying the benefit of TPS, the ideal is to apply for non-immigrant status through an adjustment of status and thus apply for other immigration programs or protections for which they are eligible. TPS does not interfere with the application for refugee visa, nor does it help speed up the process, but it does not impede it either.

It is important to mention that the TPS is a transitory benefit that will allow the stay in the country until the migratory status is regulated when applying for an American visa or any other such as a student visa or a talent visa. The countries designated for TPS by the US are El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

If you are already in the US, it is important for you to know that at Tu Visa en USA we offer immigration preparation; so you can regularize your process. Contact us and we will help you clarify all your doubts about immigration status in the United States.