On June 24, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
A foreign country may be designated for TPS as a result of temporary conditions, such as an environmental disaster or civil war, where that country’s nationals cannot return safely to their country.
On April 25, 2015, Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Consequently, Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, designated Nepal for TPS. If eligible, this allows Nepalese citizens physically present in the United States to be granted TPS through December 24, 2016. Eligible individuals without Nepalese nationality who last resided there may also be granted TPS.
To be eligible, the individual must prove that she continuously resided and was present in the United States since June 24, 2015, and that she does not pose a threat to national security. Additional eligibility criteria can be found here. If you are eligible to apply for TPS for Nepal, you must apply before December 21, 2015, but we encourage you to register as soon as possible. TPS beneficiaries can be granted employment authorization, may be granted travel authorization, and are protected against being detained or removed from the United States. While TPS does not lead to lawful status, it does not prevent TPS grantees from applying for nonimmigrant status, adjustment of status, or any other immigration benefit or status.