Fill Out USCIS Form I-821 Online
Application for Temporary Protected Status
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Applies for or re-registers for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Reviewed July 2026
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USCIS Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, is used by nationals of countries the U.S. government has designated for TPS because of armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS provides protection from removal and eligibility for work authorization during the designation period.
You can fill out Form I-821 in the Universal PDF editor, entering your identity, entry, and residence details on screen, then download the completed PDF to sign and file. Registration windows are strict, so preparing an accurate form early protects your place in the process.
What is Form I-821 used for
The form serves two purposes: initial registration for people applying for TPS the first time during their country's registration period, and re-registration for current TPS holders who must renew during each announced re-registration window to keep their protection and work eligibility.
Each country designation has its own dates, including the continuous residence and continuous physical presence cutoffs an applicant must satisfy. Those dates are published in Federal Register notices and summarized on the USCIS TPS country pages.
Who files Form I-821
Applicants are nationals of a TPS-designated country, or people without nationality who last habitually resided there, who have been continuously residing and physically present in the United States since the dates set for their country.
Certain criminal convictions and security-related grounds make a person ineligible, and some inadmissibility grounds require a waiver requested on Form I-601. If anything in your history could raise a question, review it with an immigration attorney or accredited representative before filing.
How to fill out Form I-821
Gather your passport or national identity documents, evidence of your entry date, and proof of continuous residence, such as leases, pay records, or school and medical records, before you start.
- Indicate whether you are filing an initial application or re-registering, since the evidence requirements differ.
- Provide your biographic information, nationality, entry details, and current immigration status.
- Document your continuous residence and physical presence with dates that match your supporting evidence.
- Answer the eligibility and criminal history questions completely, attaching explanations and court records where needed.
- Sign and date the application; USCIS rejects unsigned forms.
Filing tips
File within your country's announced registration or re-registration window; late initial filings are allowed only in limited circumstances described in the instructions. Check the current fees with the USCIS fee calculator, since costs differ for initial filings, re-registrations, and applicants who also want a work permit.
Many applicants file Form I-765 with Form I-821 to request an employment authorization document. Some TPS countries support online filing through a USCIS account, so check the USCIS I-821 page for your options, and always use the current form edition listed there.
Frequently asked questions
During the designation period, TPS holders are protected from removal, can obtain employment authorization, and may request travel authorization. It is a temporary benefit tied to the country designation, not permanent status.
Yes. Current TPS beneficiaries must re-register during each re-registration period announced for their country to keep their protection and work authorization.
Yes. File Form I-765 with your Form I-821, or later, to request an employment authorization document based on TPS.
Possibly. Late initial registration is allowed in specific circumstances listed in the form instructions, such as having had another lawful status during the registration period. An immigration attorney can assess whether you qualify.
Not by itself. TPS does not automatically convert to permanent residence, though some beneficiaries qualify to adjust status through family or employment on separate grounds.
You need travel authorization from USCIS before departing. Leaving the United States without it can jeopardize your TPS and your ability to return.
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