On April 25, 2015, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring more than 23,000. The earthquake flattened entire villages and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless across many sections of the country.

With continued aftershocks throughout Nepal, one of which had a magnitude of 6.7 on April 26, and another that occurred on May 12, 2015 with a moment magnitude of 7.3, the country was left in ruins.

DHS Designates Nepal for Temporary Protected Status

Due to the Nepal earthquake, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Secretary of Homeland Security designated Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning June 24, 2015 through December 24, 2016 under Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Under this designation, Nepal nationals who have been physically present in the United States since June 24, 2015 will be granted TPS. In order to qualify for TPS, Nepal nationals must:

• Apply within the 180-day registration period, which runs from June 24, 2015 to December 21, 2015.

In addition to the above, they may apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), and they can apply for travel authorization with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – the USCIS.

If you are interested in applying for TPS for Nepal, you must register during the 180-day period. You are encouraged to contact an immigration attorney and register as soon as possible before the application window closes.

If you are filing an application for TPS, please know that E-filing is currently not available for TPS for Nepal.

To learn more about TPS eligibility requirements, what to file, and where to send your application, please use our directory to find a local immigration lawyer who can help you.