TPS for Afghanistan Extended, Redesignated

This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 09/25/2023 - "Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on November 21, 2023, and ending on May 20, 2025. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through May 20, 2025, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through May 20, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day reregistration period described in this notice. The Secretary is also redesignating Afghanistan for TPS. The redesignation of Afghanistan allows additional Afghan nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan) who have been continuously residing in the United States since September 20, 2023, to apply for TPS for the first time during the initial registration period described under the redesignation information in this notice. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since September 20, 2023, and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this designation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since November 21, 2023, the effective date of this redesignation of Afghanistan for TPS. DATES: Extension of Designation of Afghanistan for TPS: The 18-month designation of Afghanistan for TPS begins on November 21, 2023, and will remain in effect for 18 months, ending on May 20, 2025. The extension impacts existing beneficiaries of TPS. Re-registration: The 60-day re-registration period for existing beneficiaries runs from [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER] through [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. (Note: It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register during the registration period and not to wait until their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) expire, as delaying reregistration could result in gaps in their employment authorization documentation.) Redesignation of Afghanistan for TPS: The 18-month redesignation of Afghanistan for TPS begins on November 21, 2023, and will remain in effect for 18 months, ending on May 20, 2025. The redesignation impacts potential first-time applicants and others who do not currently have TPS. First-time Registration: The initial registration period for new applicants under the Afghanistan TPS redesignation begins on [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER] and will remain in effect through May 20, 2025."