Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration announced it would be granting temporary protective status (TPS) to Ukraine citizens, or those who last habitually resided in the Ukraine who have no nationality, who have been living in the U.S. without legal documentation since March 1 or earlier. If you are eligible for this status, it would give you permission to stay and work in the US for 18 months. This time can be extended by the administration if the conditions in the Ukraine have not improved by the end of the designation.

TPS is intended to protect citizens from countries where they are experiencing armed conflict or a natural disaster that makes it unsafe to return. However, this does not provide for permanent residency. You can apply for this status even if you currently possess a valid non-permanent visa, like a visitor (B-1/B-1) or a student (F-1/F-1) visa. This helps protect you from deportation when those visas expire or while you are in the process of applying for a more permanent visa.

Since this is not intended to be a permanent status, the best action after filing and being granted TPS is to start looking at other more permanent visa options. Asonye and Associates can help you navigate the immigration process during this hard time and help you find more permanent status in the US. Please do not hesitate to call us or fill out the Contact Us form on our website.