Form I-821 will be helpful when you want to apply for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. There are only a couple of conditions under which you can file this form. First, you must be a national of a designated country including El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Most people apply for Temporary Protected status because there are armed conflicts in their home country, or there was a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a tsunami.
Note that you should not confuse Form I-821 with Form I-821D. While the former – Form I-821 – will let you demand the TPS, the latter is necessary to request Consideration Of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Also note that even if USCIS grants you TPS, that does not mean that you become a lawful permanent resident or were granted this status. USCIS will try to remove you from the country once TPS expires in your case. There are still possibilities to obtain the green card when you have TPS.
Form I-821 instructions
Follow general instructions on how to fill out application forms with USCIS:
- Fill in all the requested information;
- Use black ink;
- Sign the form;
- Avoid making mistakes. If you did, you will need to start a new form;
- Include supporting documentation with the form.
Form I-821 fee
The fee for filing Form I-821 consists of two amounts. First, you need to pay $50 for the form processing, and second, you need to pay $85 for the biometric services. But note that you do not have to pay for biometrics if you are 13 years of age or younger.
Since you moved to the US to request TPS, you may want to also obtain the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). USCIS sets the filing fee for Form I-765, Request for Employment Authorization, to $410 when you are also filing Form I-821. So, if you are planning to work in the US, the total filing fee might reach $545: $50 for I-821, $85 for biometrics, and $410 for Form I-765.
| Applicant's Age | I-821 Fee | Biometric Services | I-765 Fee | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Registration and Requesting an EAD | Younger than 14 | $50 | $0 | $0 | $50 |
| 14-65 years old | $50 | $85 | $410 | $545 | |
| 66 and older | $50 | $85 | $0 | $135 | |
| Initial Registration and not Requesting an EAD | Younger than 14 | $50 | $0 | N/A | $50 |
| 14 and older | $50 | $85 | N/A | $135 | |
| Re-Registration and Requesting an EAD | Younger than 14 | $0 | $0 | $410 | $410 |
| 14 and older | $0 | $85 | $410 | $495 | |
| Re-Registration and not Requesting an EAD | Younger than 14 | $0 | $0 | N/A | $0 |
| 14 and older | $0 | $85 | N/A | $85 |
N/A: Not applicable
Form I-821 processing time
There is no exact timeframe for processing your Form I-821 application. It may take from two weeks and up to a month or even longer to process your form. You should provide the maximum information for USCIS to increase your chances and make processing faster.
Where to send Form I-821 (Mail address)
Send your application form for Temporary Protected Status to the appropriate addresses depending on your country:
Ecuador
- If you file Form I-821 tp replace EAD for already granted TPS or for re-registration of TPS and you live in states or territories listed below:
Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virgin Islands, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
If you are going to use U.S. Postal Service (USPS), mail your Form I-821 application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS El Salvador
P.O. Box 660864
Dallas, TX 75266
If you are going to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, mail your Form I-821 application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS El Salvador
2501 S. State Highway, 121 Business Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
- If you file Form I-821 to replace your EAD for already granted TPS or for re-registration of TPS and you live in the states or territories listed below:
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia.
If you are going to use U.S. Postal Service (USPS), mail your Form I-821 application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS El Salvador
P.O. Box 8635
Chicago, IL 60680-8635
If you are going to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, mail your Form I-821 application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS El Salvador
131 S. Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
- If you file Form I-821 tp replace your EAD for already granted TPS or for re-registration of TPS and you live in the states or territories listed below:
Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
If you are going to use U.S. Postal Service (USPS), mail your Form I-821 application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS El Salvador
P.O. Box 21800
Phoenix, AZ 85036
If you are going to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, mail your Form I-821 application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS El Salvador
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Haiti
- If you are from Haiti and live in Florida, send your Form I-821 to the following address if you are going to use the U.S. Postal Service:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 4464
Chicago, IL 60680-4464
- If you are from Haiti and live in Florida, send your Form I-821 to the following address if you are going to use the non-U.S. Postal Service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Haiti TPS
131 South Dearborn, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
- If you are from Haiti and live in the State of New York, send your Form I-821 to the following address if you:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 660167
Dallas, TX 75266-0167
- If you are from Haiti and live in the State of New York, send your Form I-821 to the following address if you are going to use the non-U.S. Postal Service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Haiti TPS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121
Business, Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
- If you are from Haiti and live in any of the other states (other than the State of Florida and the State of New York) and you are going to send you application using the U.S. Postal Service, use the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 24047
Phoenix, AZ 85074-4047
- If you are from Haiti and live in any of the other states (other than the State of Florida and the State of New York) and you are going to send you application using the non-U.S. Postal Service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL, use the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Haiti TPS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Honduras
- If you are from Honduras and are going to send the package using the U.S. Postal Service, use the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Honduras
P.O. Box 6943
Chicago, IL 60680-6943
- If you are going to send the package using a non-U.S. Postal Service delivery, use the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Honduras
131 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Nepal
- If you are from Nepal, you need to file your Form I-821 to the following addresses when using the U.S. Postal Service:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Nepal
P.O. Box 6943
Chicago, IL 60680-6943
- If you are using a non-U.S. Postal Service delivery, send your application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Nepal
131 S. Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Nicaragua
- If you are from Nicaragua and are going to use the U.S. Postal Service to mail your package:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Nicaragua
P.O. Box 4413
Chicago, IL 60680
- If you are using a non-U.S. Postal Service delivery, send your application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS - Nicaragua
131 S. Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Somalia
- If you are from Somalia and are filing to replace your Employment Authorization Document for already granted TPS or for re-registration of TPS:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Somalia
P.O. Box 6943
Chicago, IL 60680-6943
- Would like to send your application by courier for a replacement EAD for already granted TPS or for re-registration of TPS:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Somalia
131 S. Dearborn St., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
South Sudan
- If you are from South Sudan and are going to use the US. Postal Service, send your application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS South Sudan
P.O. Box 6943
Chicago, IL 60680-6943
- If you are going to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, send your application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS South Sudan
131 S. Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Sudan
- If you are from Sudan and are going to use the US. Postal Service, send your application to the following address:
USCIS
Attn: TPS Sudan
PO Box 6943
Chicago, IL 60680-6943
- If you are going to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, send your application to the following address:
USCIS
Attn: TPS Sudan
131 S. Dearborn St. 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Syria
- If you are from Syria and are going to use the US. Postal Service, send your application to the following address:
USCIS
P.O. Box 6943
Chicago, IL 60680-6943
- If you are going to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, send your application to the following address:
USCIS
Attn: Syria TPS
131 S. Dearborn 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Yemen
- If you are from Yemen and are going to use the US. Postal Service, send your application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Yemen
P.O. Box 6943
Chicago, IL 60680-6943
- If you are going to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, send your application to the following address:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: TPS Yemen
131 S. Dearborn St., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Form I-821 PDF
You can download a free Form I-821 application form in the PDF format from our website.
Last Updated 03/09/23 04:01:53AM
