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U.S. Ends Temporary Protected Status for Nepal; Transition Period Announced



June 8, 2025

In a decision impacting over 12,000 Nepali nationals residing in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of Nepal’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS), effective August 5, 2025. The status, which was granted in response to the devastating 2015 earthquake, is set to expire following a 60‑day transition window (federalregister.gov).

What Is TPS — and Why Was Nepal Designated?

TPS is a humanitarian immigration status that allows individuals from certain countries to reside and work legally in the U.S. when their home countries are experiencing crises such as conflicts or natural disasters . Nepal received this designation on June 24, 2015, after a 7.8‑magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction across the country (reuters.com).

Phased Exits and Remaining Population

According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, an interagency review concluded that Nepal has sufficiently recovered, especially in areas of disaster preparedness and infrastructure, and can now manage the return of its nationals (federalregister.gov). Approximately 5,500 Nepalis have already converted their TPS permits into lawful permanent residency, such as green cards. The remaining nearly 7,000 beneficiaries will now face a deadline of August 5, 2025, to either adjust their status or prepare to depart the U.S. (reuters.com).

Extended Work Authorization and Transition Guidelines

For those still under TPS, work authorization remains valid through 11:59 p.m. local time on August 5, 2025. DHS automatically extended certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with category codes A‑12 and C‑19 (issued between 2018 and 2025) to reflect this new transition timeline (uscis.gov). Employers are required to reverify employment eligibility for TPS Nepal beneficiaries after August 5 (e-verify.gov).

This action aligns with prior efforts from the Trump administration aimed at scaling back TPS designations—including for countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, and others—though those designations underwent legal challenges (reuters.com). Experts predict that affected Nepali nationals may pursue legal avenues, or seek alternative immigration statuses, though strict deadlines apply (fragomen.com).

What Happened in Nepal

Since the 2015 earthquake, Nepal has made significant strides in rebuilding infrastructure, improving emergency services, and strengthening disaster response mechanisms. DHS highlighted these improvements as key reasons for ending Nepal’s TPS designation (federalregister.gov).

What’s Next for TPS Beneficiaries

Nepali TPS holders who wish to remain in the U.S. beyond the August 5 timeline must secure alternate immigration paths—such as employment-based visas, family sponsorship, or other relief programs—before their TPS expires. Those who do not have lawful status after that date risk removal proceedings (uscis.gov).


Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports and official notices. Immigration policies are subject to change. Individuals affected by the TPS termination are advised to consult a qualified immigration attorney or official DHS/USCIS resources for personalized legal guidance.

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