Lebanon Granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 Months: What You Need to Know

On November 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Lebanon will be granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from November 27, 2024, to May 27, 2026. This designation enables eligible Lebanese nationals, as well as stateless individuals who last resided in Lebanon, to apply for TPS. This status offers critical protections, including a temporary reprieve from deportation and the ability to work legally in the United States. The decision comes in response to Lebanon’s ongoing crisis—marked by severe political instability, economic collapse, and infrastructure deterioration—which has made return unsafe for its citizens.

To qualify for TPS under Lebanon’s designation, applicants must meet two essential criteria. First, they must have continuously resided in the U.S. since October 16, 2024, without significant interruption. Second, they must have been physically present in the U.S. since the effective date of the designation, November 27, 2024. DHS estimates that approximately 11,000 individuals may be eligible for TPS under this designation. Applicants will need to provide evidence of their continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S.

Those granted TPS will be shielded from deportation for the 18-month period and will be eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing them to work legally in the U.S. The application process involves submitting Form I-821 for TPS and Form I-765 for an EAD, along with supporting documents proving continuous residence and physical presence.

The TPS designation will expire on May 27, 2026, although it may be extended should conditions in Lebanon remain dire. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications promptly, ensuring they meet all required deadlines beginning November 27, 2024.