Lebanon Designated for TPS

At a Glance

• The designation is part of a previously announced plan by the Department of Homeland Security to protect Lebanese nationals, and those who last habitually resided in Lebanon, who are physically present in the United States as of October 16 and are unable to safely return.
• Lebanese nationals and those who last habitually resided in Lebanon may apply for TPS by filing a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Status during the initial registration period from November 27, 2024, to May 27, 2026.

On November 27, 2024, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a notice in the Federal Register officially designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, starting the date of the publication. Sixteen other countries, including Ukraine, are currently under active TPS designation.

The designation is part of a previously announced plan by the Department of Homeland Security to protect Lebanese nationals, and those who last habitually resided in Lebanon, who are physically present in the United States as of October 16, 2024, and are unable to safely return considering the ongoing armed conflict in Lebanon. This designation is in addition to the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Lebanese nationals currently in place pursuant to a Memorandum issued by President Biden in July 2024. 

Lebanese nationals and those who last habitually resided in Lebanon may apply for TPS by filing a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Status during the initial registration period from November 27, 2024, to May 27, 2026. Beneficiaries also have the option of applying for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, concurrently with the I-821, or later. TPS status holders are required to provide valid employment authorization documentation for I-9 purposes. Importantly, being granted TPS status does not serve as an advance parole document that allows a beneficiary to return to the United States after traveling internationally. For further information related to the TPS application process and deadlines, review the Federal Register notice and the USCIS TPS webpage.

Concurrently with the TPS Lebanon designation, USCIS announced a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students who are citizens of Lebanon that allows them to apply for an EAD, increase the number of hours they work during the school year, and reduce their course work without violating their student status during the TPS designation period. 

As a reminder, all employers are required to ensure that there is a compliant Form I-9 on file for every employee hired after November 6, 1986. Ensuring the proper documentation is provided by beneficiaries of the TPS designation is part of that compliance. It is also important to make sure individuals who are allowed to work in the United States are not improperly rejected for not having a valid work authorization leading to citizenship bias and related claims. For further information regarding verifying or reverifying the employment authorization of TPS status holders, review USCIS’s I-9 Central webpage related to TPS and DED.

For additional information, register for Faegre Drinker’s Immigration and Global Mobility practice’s December 10, 2024, Business Immigration Series Webinar: It’s a Wrap! Update on Immigration Trends and What’s Ahead in 2025 After the Presidential Election for a discussion about temporary work visas, permanent residence and compliance issues specific to business immigration.