Key information:

• South Sudan received an 18-month extension of its Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, designation from Nov. 3, 2020, to May 2, 2022.
• To maintain TPS through the 18-month period, South Sudanese TPS holders will need to re-register during the 60-day re-registration period, which runs from Nov. 2, 2020 to Jan. 4, 2021.
• Current South Sudanese TPS holders with EADs with a Nov. 2, 2020, expiration date receive an automatic extension of their work authorization for 180 days through May 1, 2021.

Procedures for re-registration:

• The 60-day re-registration period for South Sudanese TPS holders runs from Nov. 2, 2020 to Jan. 4, 2021. TPS holders are encouraged to apply as early as possible during the re-registration period.
• To re-register, current TPS holders who do not have a pending application must submit the TPS application (Form I-821). TPS holders DO NOT need to pay a filing fee with Form I-821.
• Although TPS holders do not need to pay a filing fee for Form I-821, TPS holders age 14 and over must submit a biometrics service fee, which is $85. Individuals unable to pay the biometrics fee may submit a request for a fee waiver (Form I-912). More information on fee waivers can be found here: uscis.gov/i-912
• South Sudanese TPS holders who file a fee waiver application for the biometrics fee but are denied may still re-file the I-821 and pay the biometrics fee even if outside the 60-day re-registration period. According to USCIS, in this situation, applicants are urged to re-file within 45 days of the denial notice, showing good cause for the late re-registration (e.g. the application is late because of the fee waiver denial). For more information on filing late and good cause visit uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status. 

Work authorization:

• For current South Sudanese TPS holders, EADs with an expiration date of Nov. 2, 2020, are automatically extended for 180 days through May 1, 2021.
• South Sudanese TPS holders who wish to receive work authorization through the entire TPS designation period (through May 2, 2022), must file the I-821 along with an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765). The fee for requesting an employment authorization document is $410 plus the biometrics service fee, which is $85 (or request a fee waiver). More information on fee waivers can be found here: uscis.gov/i-912
• South Sudanese TPS holders may file for work authorization at a later time (after the 60-day re-registration period closes on Jan. 4, 2021), but risk having gaps in employment authorization.

Avoiding legal services fraud:

• TPS holders should seek qualified legal assistance regarding re-registration and beware of fraud. More information about avoiding legal services scams is available here: cliniclegal.org/resources/protecting-your-community/unauthorized-practice-immigration-law