Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine was scheduled to end on October 19, 2026, but DHS and USCIS have said that Ukrainian beneficiaries keep their protection and work authorization for now. No new end date has been announced. Here is what we know, what is still unclear, and what to do.
What happened on October 19
TPS for Ukraine was first designated on April 19, 2022, and the current designation was set to run through October 19, 2026, according to the USCIS TPS Ukraine page. On October 18, DHS told CBS News that Ukrainian and Sudanese nationals enrolled in TPS "retain protection" until final decisions are announced, according to CBS News. On October 19, USCIS updated its Ukraine and Sudan TPS pages to say an announcement would be made "at the appropriate time," and that beneficiaries retain protection, including work authorization, until then, according to Ogletree.
This is not a formal extension or termination. CBS News reported that more than 100,000 Ukrainians were enrolled in TPS as of March 2025.
What continues for now
- Protection from removal: enrolled Ukrainians keep their TPS protection while DHS decides.
- Work authorization: USCIS says beneficiaries retain work authorization during this period.
- Existing TPS status: the alert gives no new end date and does not say whether the designation was extended or for how long.
What is still unknown
- Whether DHS will extend, redesignate or terminate TPS for Ukraine, and when it will announce a decision.
- New work permit (EAD) expiration dates. As of October 26, no Federal Register notice had been issued, according to VisaVerge.
- Whether the law's automatic six-month extension applies. One immigration law blog says it fits that process, but DHS has not said so, according to the Global Immigration Blog.
- How employers should document work authorization. The USCIS Ukraine page itself still lists October 19, 2026 as the end date, and VisaVerge reports that employer instructions have not been updated.
What Ukrainian TPS holders should do now
- Keep copies of your TPS approval notice, work permit (EAD), I-94 and any USCIS notices.
- Check the USCIS TPS Ukraine page and the Federal Register for the official announcement. Do not rely on social media or unofficial sources.
- Do not change your immigration plans based only on the alert. Get advice before you travel outside the U.S. or file anything new.
- Use only an attorney or a Department of Justice accredited representative for legal advice. USCIS warns against unauthorized preparers who charge fees.
What employers should know
Employers should not terminate employees or ask for extra documents because of the old October 19 date. They should follow USCIS's Form I-9 guidance and check for updates, since the employer instructions still reflect the old date, according to Ogletree and VisaVerge. Our guide on what work authorization means explains the basics.
Looking at longer-term options
TPS is temporary and does not by itself lead to a green card. Depending on your situation, you may have other options, such as a family-based or employment-based green card. Eligibility depends on your category and how you entered the U.S., so get advice before you file. See our guide to getting a green card without marriage, our adjustment of status guide, our employment-based immigration services, and our post on working while waiting for a green card. You can also browse all SimVisa immigration services.
Talk to an attorney before you make decisions about your status. Call SimVisa at (312) 298-9766 or book a free consultation. This article is general information, not legal advice, and the situation may change quickly.
References
- USCIS, Temporary Protected Status Ukraine
- CBS News, Immigrants from Ukraine and Sudan to retain deportation protections for now
- Ogletree, Ukraine and Sudan TPS work authorization continues pending further DHS announcement
- VisaVerge, USCIS pages still list Oct. 19 expiration for Ukraine and Sudan TPS
- Global Immigration Blog, USCIS: Ukraine TPS continues (for now)
