The U.S. government announced the extension and renewal of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for another 18 months, from August 4, 2024, to February 3, 2026. This decision is due to the ongoing extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti.

This extension means that both current beneficiaries and new applicants can apply for TPS. Many parts of Haiti still face violence and instability, which make it hard for people to get basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare. Natural disasters like storms and earthquakes also cause significant damage. These ongoing urgent humanitarian needs reinforce the need for the extension.

The U.S. government decided on June 3, 2024, that this 18-month extension and renewal is needed and does not go against U.S. interests. This gives approximately 309,000 more Haitian nationals the chance to apply for TPS for the first time, if eligible. To qualify, individuals must have been living in the U.S. on or before June 3, 2024, and have remained in the country since that date.

People who qualify can apply for TPS starting from July 1, 2024, until February 3, 2026. They can also apply for Haiti Temporary Protected Status-related travel and work authorization.

Current holders of Haitian TPS can retain their status until February 3, 2026, as long as they meet the related eligibility requirements. Individuals need to re-register during the set period from July 1, 2024, to August 30, 2024. If current TPS holders apply for a new work permit and don’t receive it before their current one expires, their work permit will automatically stay valid until August 3, 2025.

Haitians who weren’t living in the U.S. on or before June 3, 2024, and don’t qualify for TPS will face removal and have to go back to Haiti if they do not have another legal basis to stay in the United States.

If you have questions about Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status or any other U.S. immigration-related issue, contact us. We work with our clients every step of the way throughout their immigration journeys.