Eligible Lebanese Nationals May Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security today posted a Federal Register notice designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced on Oct. 17, 2024, the designation of Lebanon for TPS. The corresponding FRN provides information about how to register for TPS under this designation.

The designation of Lebanon for TPS allows an estimated 11,000 Lebanese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) who have been continuously residing in the United States since Oct. 16, 2024, and continuously physically present in the United States since Nov. 27, 2024, to apply for TPS, if they are otherwise eligible. 

Individuals who want to request TPS under Lebanon’s designation must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the initial registration period that runs from Nov. 27, 2024, through May 27, 2026. Applicants may also apply for TPS-related Employment Authorization Documents and travel authorization. Applicants can request an EAD by submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with their Form I-821, or separately later. 

Accompanying this announcement is a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Lebanon so that eligible students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the TPS designation period.

Today’s Federal Register notice explains the eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary to apply for TPS and for an EAD. On Oct. 17, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also posted an FRN establishing procedures for those Lebanese nationals covered by President Biden’s July 26, 2024, grant of Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for EADs that will be valid through Jan. 25, 2026.  More information about DED-based EADs is available on the USCIS website.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov