English 
Português 
Español 
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is the humanitarian instrument through which the United States government temporarily suspends the removal of nationals from a designated country and grants them work authorization for the duration of the designation. In October 2024, the Department of Homeland Security designated Lebanon for TPS for 18 months, due to the armed conflict and extraordinary humanitarian conditions in the country. As of mid-2026, this remains the primary avenue of temporary protection for Lebanese nationals physically present in the US on the cutoff date, and this guide explains how the program works in practice.
What TPS offers and what it is not
TPS is a temporary status, not a pathway to permanent residence. Those covered by TPS receive three main protections: they cannot be removed from the United States during the designation period, they are eligible for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) valid for the TPS period, and they may request travel authorization to leave and re-enter the US without losing status. TPS does not grant a Green Card, does not convert time in the country into retroactive lawful presence prior to the designation, and does not immunize against removal for grounds of inadmissibility or criminal conduct.
Who is eligible for TPS Lebanon
To qualify for TPS under the Lebanon designation, an applicant must cumulatively meet the following requirements:
- Be a national of Lebanon (or a stateless person whose last habitual residence was Lebanon).
- Have maintained continuous residence in the United States since October 16, 2024 (the continuous residence date established by DHS).
- Have maintained continuous physical presence in the United States since November 27, 2024 (the continuous physical presence date).
- Not be subject to the bars to eligibility under 8 U.S.C. § 1254a(c)(2)(B), which include conviction of a felony, two or more misdemeanors, or national security and persecutor bars.
- Submit the application within the initial registration window, running from November 27, 2024 through May 27, 2026.
Brief and innocent trips abroad do not break the required continuity as long as they are properly documented; longer absences may render an applicant ineligible.
Forms and fees
The TPS application is filed using Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, submitted to USCIS within the initial registration window. The I-821 filing fee for an initial application depends on the applicant’s age; a biometric services fee also applies for applicants over 14 years old. Those seeking work authorization simultaneously file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, selecting eligibility category (c)(19) for an initial EAD tied to a pending TPS, or (a)(12) after TPS approval.
Those who cannot afford the fees may request a fee waiver via Form I-912, demonstrating financial inability through proof of receipt of means-tested federal benefits, household income below 150% of the federal poverty line, or other documented hardship. Exact current fees should be confirmed in the Fee Schedule published at uscis.gov before filing.
Special Student Relief for F-1 students
Alongside the designation, DHS published a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 students who are Lebanese nationals. This provision allows these students to apply for specific work authorization (F-1 SSR EAD), increase their work hours during the academic year, and reduce their academic course load while maintaining F-1 status within the designation period. The application is also filed on Form I-765, with its own eligibility category, and requires certification from the institution’s Designated School Official.
Deferred Enforced Departure as a parallel alternative
Prior to the formal TPS designation, Lebanese nationals present in the US may have been covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), a discretionary Executive instrument. Those covered by DED were able to apply for a DED-based EAD valid through January 25, 2026. The two protections, DED and TPS, serve slightly different populations — presence on the correct date is what determines eligibility — which is why applicants must understand which instrument applies to their situation before filing.
What to expect at the end of the initial window
TPS designations are reviewed by the Secretary of Homeland Security before the period ends. The Secretary must decide, with at least 60 days’ notice, whether to extend the designation for 6, 12, or 18 months, terminate the designation, or redesignate it, expanding eligibility to new arrivals through updated cutoff dates. Recent history shows that TPS is sensitive to changes in administration, and those who depend on it should monitor the Federal Register and official USCIS announcements. The initial registration window for TPS Lebanon closes on May 27, 2026; those who have not yet filed Form I-821 and meet the requirements should act before the deadline, regardless of any future decision on extension.
Common mistakes and best practices
The most common errors in TPS applications are easily avoidable: filing without proof of Lebanese nationality (passport, birth certificate, national ID), failing to document the required continuous presence (receipts, utility bills, leases, employer statements, medical records), omitting convictions on the I-821, and submitting the package without photos in the required format. TPS adjudications are strict regarding missing documentation, and RFEs on continuous presence are among the leading causes of processing delays.
For Lebanese nationals physically present in the US within the cutoff dates, TPS is currently the most immediate instrument for protection and work authorization. It does not replace a long-term immigration strategy, but it provides documentary stability during the period in which other pathways — asylum, adjustment through marriage, family petition, EB-2/EB-3 — can be developed.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
