Termination of the TPS Venezuela Program **Updated 04/04/2025**

Update to the TPS Venezuela Program **Updated 04/04/2025**

On March 31, 2025, a U.S. District Court entered an order postponing the termination of the 2023 designation of TPS for Venezuela. The order requires Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend the TPS designation for Venezuelans as previously authorized by President Biden on January 17, 2025. The litigation in this case is ongoing and we expect updates in the coming months, if not sooner. 

What does this mean? 

• A federal court judge has ordered relief for all Venezuelans in the U.S. who previously applied under the 2023 TPS Venezuela designation and have work permits in the A12 of C19 categories with expiration dates of September 10, 2025, April 2, 2025, March 10, 2024, or September 9, 2022. These work permits are automatically extended through April 2, 2026. 

• The order also extends to Venezuelans who registered in the 2021 TPS designation, and their work permits are also automatically extended to April 2, 2026.  

• The TPS designation extends to October 2, 2026, but re-registration is still required and has been reopened through September 10, 2025. 

• If you already applied for re-registration for either 2021 OR 2023 TPS Venezuela designations, and your application was still pending on Jan. 17, 2025, you do not need to file to re-register. If approved, TPS will be granted through October 2, 2026. 

How can I prove to my employer that I am authorized to work? 

• As proof of continued employment authorization through April 2, 2026, TPS beneficiaries can show their EAD with the notation A12 or C19 under Category and a “Card Expires” date of September 10, 2025, April 2, 2025, March 10, 2024, or September 9, 2022 with a copy of the Federal Register Notice dated January 17, 2025.  

Traveling on TPS Travel Document I-512T 

These documents should legally still be accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Officers for returning to the United States from brief travel abroad, as long as the applicant has a valid Form I-512T in hand and their TPS status is valid. However, we have already begun to hear a few reports of individuals who have not been permitted to return to the United States despite having a valid I-512T. Proceed with caution for any foreign travel, and speak with your immigration attorney to weigh the positives and negatives of traveling with the I-512T at this time. Please also see our recent post about the risks of international travel, even with a visa or valid Form I-512T. 

If you have questions about TPS status or wish to consult with one of our immigration attorneys about alternatives to TPS status, including asylum, employment based options and more, please contact the team at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. at (312) 427-6163 or schedule a consultation online. 

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On February 3, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security cancelled the most recent extension of TPS status for Venezuelans and on February 5, 2025, the Department terminated TPS Venezuela 2023. The Biden Administration had recently extended TPS for Venezuelans on January 17, 2025, in a combined extension for both the 2021 TPS Venezuela group and the 2023 TPS Venezuela group to extend to October 2, 2026. This extension is now cancelled and TPS validity dates for Venezuelans is as follows:

TPS Venezuela 2021

• “TPS Venezuela 2021”: For those Venezuelans who applied for TPS under the 2021 designation, TPS is approved and valid through September 10, 2025.
  • Is TPS Venezuela 2021 terminated?
    • Not at this time. DHS must inform the public on or by July 12, 2025 if TPS Venezuela 2021 will be extended.
  • How do I know if I am registered under TPS Venezuela 2021?
    • Your work permit or TPS I-821 Approval will have the following expiration dates: Sept. 9, 2022; March 10, 2024; or Sept. 10, 2025.
  • How can I apply for a job or show my employer that I am authorized to work?
    • You may show a copy of the 3, 2023, Federal Register Notice, showing automatic extension until March 10, 2025; your expired work permit or Form I-797, I-821 approval notice receipt and showing I-821 reregistration was timely filed between Jan. 10, 2024 – March 10, 2024; copy of the Feb. 5, 2025, Federal Register Notice, stating that the 2021 designation remains valid until at least Sept. 10, 2025.

TPS Venezuela 2023

• “TPS Venezuela 2023”: For those Venezuelans who applied for TPS under the 2023 designation, TPS will expire on April 7, 2025 as this program is terminated as of February 5, 2025.
  • How do I know if I am registered under TPS Venezuela 2023?
    • Your work permit will have the April 2, 2025 expiration date.
  • How can I apply for a job or show my employer that I am authorized to work?
    • You may show a copy of the 5, 2025, Federal Register Notice, stating that TPS will be valid through April 7, 2025; prior work permit or Form I-797, I-821 approval notice with an April 2, 2025, expiration date.
    • Note that this work authorization is valid only to April 2, 2025 and TPS is valid through April 7, 2025.
  • What if I already applied for TPS re-registration?
    • USCIS is no longer accepting TPS Venezuela re-registration applications on Form I-821 or work permit applications on Form I-765. USCIS will process refunds for application fees submitted for re-registration under the now-cancelled extension. For those who already received renewed TPS or work permits with the October 2, 2026 date, USCIS is invaliding these documents.

Traveling on TPS Travel Document I-512T

These documents should legally still be accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Officers for returning to the United States from brief travel abroad, as long as the applicant has a valid Form I-512T in hand and their TPS status is valid. However, we have already begun to hear a few reports of individuals who have not been permitted to return to the United States despite having a valid I-512T. Proceed with caution for any foreign travel, and speak with your immigration attorney to weigh the positives and negatives of traveling with the I-512T at this time.

If you have questions about TPS status or wish to consult with one of our immigration attorneys about alternatives to TPS status, including asylum, employment based options and more, please contact the team at at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. at (312) 427-6163 or schedule a consultation online.