USCIS Issues New Guidance on Ukraine TPS and Employment Authorization for October 2026

USCIS Provides New Ukraine TPS Guidance

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated guidance for beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designation for Ukraine. According to USCIS, TPS-related protections and employment authorization for eligible Ukrainian beneficiaries remain in effect at this time. The agency did not announce a new TPS termination date but indicated that additional guidance may be issued in the future regarding the status of the designation.

The agency is sending notices to certain Ukraine TPS beneficiaries confirming that their TPS-based work authorization remains valid under current USCIS guidance and that eligible individuals may continue to work under those authorizations.

Automatic Ukraine TPS Work Authorization Extension

USCIS is notifying certain Ukrainian TPS beneficiaries that their TPS-based employment authorization has been automatically extended.

To qualify, individuals generally must:

Continue to be eligible for TPS;
Have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, during a qualifying TPS registration period; and
Hold a TPS-based Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with category code A12 or C19.

USCIS is sending extension notices by mail and electronically to eligible beneficiaries with a myUSCIS account. These notices may be used, together with an eligible EAD, to demonstrate continued work authorization.

USCIS stated that TPS-related protections for Ukraine remain in effect and that eligible beneficiaries should continue to follow existing TPS requirements. While the agency acknowledged that future announcements regarding the designation may be issued, it did not announce that TPS or TPS-based employment authorization would end on Oct. 19, 2026. Until further guidance is issued, eligible beneficiaries may continue to rely on TPS-related protections and work authorization.

Employers and affected individuals should monitor USCIS and Department of Homeland Security updates for any future announcements regarding Ukraine TPS.