Temporary Protected Status For Ukrainians in the US

Last week, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine, specifically Ukrainian nationals living in the United States. The Temporary Protected Status lasts for 18 months at which time, the DHS will have the choice to either extend the TPS or redesignate Ukraine.

The decision to designate Ukraine as a Temporary Protected Status comes after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The goal of the TPS is to protect Ukrainian nationals in the US from having to leave and go back to Ukraine.

To qualify for the Temporary Protected Status, Ukrainian nationals must have continuously resided in the US as of March 1st, 2022. Ukrainian nationals who arrived in the US after March 1st or were not living in the US continuously, are not eligible for TPS.

Ukrainian nationals who receive TPS must also apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services within 180 days. They are also able to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) which would allow them to work in the United States lawfully.

“Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

For a country to be designated for Temporary Protected Status, the country’s conditions must fall into at least one of the three following situations: ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions.

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