Key Information:

• Somalia received an 18-month extension of its Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, designation from March 18, 2020, through Sept. 17, 2021.
• To maintain TPS through the 18-month period, Somali TPS holders will need to re-register during the 60-day re-registration period, which runs from March 11, 2020, through May 11, 2020. 
• Current Somali TPS holders with EADs with a March 17, 2020, expiration date receive an automatic extension of their work authorization for 180 days through Sept. 13, 2020.

Procedures for Re-Registration:

• The 60-day re-registration period for Somali TPS holders runs from March 11, 2020, through May 11, 2020. 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 biometric services 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.
• Somali 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 (e.g. the application is late because of the fee waiver denial). For more information on filing late and good cause click here.
• Exception to re-registration: Somali TPS holders who submitted an application during the previous re-registration period whose applications were still pending as of March 11, 2020, (the publication date of the Federal Register Notice), do not need to file again. If the pending TPS application is approved, TPS will be granted through Sept. 17, 2021.

Work Authorization:

• For current Somali TPS holders, EADs with an expiration date of March 17, 2020, are automatically extended for 180 days through Sept. 13, 2020.
• Somali TPS holders who do not have an application pending from the previous re-registration period and who wish to receive work authorization through the entire TPS designation period (through Sept. 17, 2021), must file the I-821 along with an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and pay the $410 fee and the biometric services fee, which is $85 (or request a fee waiver). More information on fee waivers can be found here.
• Somali TPS holders who have a pending TPS application (Form I-821) and work authorization application (Form I-765) as of March 11, 2020, (the publication date of the Federal Register Notice), do not need to file either application again. If the pending applications are approved, the individual will be granted TPS and work authorization through Sept. 17, 2021.
• Somali TPS holders who do not have pending applications from the last re-registration period and are seeking work authorization through Sept. 17, 2021, are encouraged to submit Form I-765 when they submit their Form I-821 and biometrics fee as soon as possible during the 60-day re-registration period.
• Somali TPS holders may apply for work authorization through Sept. 17, 2021, at a later time (i.e. after the 60-day re-registration period closes on May 11, 2020), 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.