TPS Document Translation: What Temporary Protected Status Applicants Need
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides protection from deportation and work authorization to nationals of designated countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS applications and renewals frequently require certified translation of foreign-language documents.
What Is TPS?
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries who are already in the United States. As of 2025, countries with TPS designation include (but are not limited to):
El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, Myanmar (Burma), Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Ethiopia
Each designation has its own registration dates, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.
Documents Requiring Translation
Proof of Nationality
To establish you're a national of a TPS-designated country, you may submit:
Passport from the designated country
- Biographical page (usually bilingual, but endorsements may need translation)
- Visa stamps and annotations in foreign languages
National identity card
- If in a foreign language, needs full translation
- Must clearly show nationality
Birth certificate
- Proves nationality through place of birth
- Must be accompanied by certified translation if in a foreign language
Other evidence of nationality Consular ID card, Expired passports, Military identification, and Voter registration card
Proof of Continuous Residence
TPS applicants must prove they've been continuously residing in the U.S. since the date specified in their TPS designation. Documents that may need translation:
- Foreign-language employment records from U.S.-based employers who operate in other languages
- Foreign-language bank statements from institutions operating in the U.S.
- Foreign-language school enrollment records
- Foreign-language religious institution records
- Letters from community organizations (if written in a foreign language)
Proof of Continuous Physical Presence
You must have been physically present in the U.S. on the specified date. Any foreign-language evidence supporting this needs translation.
Criminal History Documents
TPS applicants must disclose any criminal history. If you have criminal records from another country:
Foreign police clearance certificates need translation, Foreign court records need translation, and Foreign arrest records need translation
Evidence for Waivers
Certain criminal grounds of inadmissibility may be waived for TPS. Supporting evidence in foreign languages needs translation:
Country conditions reports, Evidence of hardship, and Community support letters
Country-Specific Document Considerations
El Salvador
Salvadoran TPS applicants commonly need translation of:
Partida de nacimiento (birth certificate) — Issued by the Alcaldía Municipal, DUI (Documento Único de Identidad) — National identity card, Antecedentes penales — Criminal record clearance (from PNC), and Constancias — Various certificates from Salvadoran institutions
Haiti
Haitian TPS applicants may need translation of:
- Acte de naissance (birth certificate) — In French
- Carte d'identification nationale — National ID
- Extrait des archives — Civil registry extracts
- Documents in Haitian Creole (less common in official documents, which typically use French)
Honduras
Honduran TPS applicants commonly need:
Partida de nacimiento (birth certificate), Tarjeta de identidad — National identity card, Constancia de antecedentes policiales — Police clearance, and School records from Honduras
Venezuela
Venezuelan TPS applicants may need:
Acta de nacimiento (birth certificate), Cédula de identidad — National identity card, Constancia de residencia — Proof of address from Venezuela, and Pasaporte venezolano — Venezuelan passport pages
Ukraine
Ukrainian TPS applicants (designated after Russia's 2022 invasion) may need:
Свідоцтво про народження (birth certificate) — In Ukrainian, Паспорт (passport) — Ukrainian passport, Довідка про несудимість (police clearance) — If available, and Documents showing Ukrainian nationality
Nepal
Nepali TPS applicants (designated after the 2015 earthquake) need:
जन्म दर्ता प्रमाणपत्र (birth certificate) — In Nepali with Bikram Sambat dates, नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र (citizenship certificate), and Calendar date conversion from Bikram Sambat to Gregorian
Somalia
Somali TPS applicants face unique documentation challenges due to the ongoing conflict:
Official Somali documents may be unavailable, UNHCR documents from refugee camps may substitute, Sworn affidavits may be necessary when documents don't exist, and Documents may be in Somali, Arabic, or languages from transit countries
Myanmar (Burma)
Myanmar TPS applicants may need:
- National Registration Card (NRC)
- Documents in Burmese script
- Documents from ethnic minority communities in Karen, Chin, or other ethnic languages
- Refugee camp documentation (if applicant transited through Thailand)
Afghanistan
Afghan TPS applicants may need:
- Tazkira (تذکره) — Afghan identity document, in Dari or Pashto
- Birth certificates (if available)
- Documents issued by the former Republic of Afghanistan or by the Taliban government
- Passport pages
Initial TPS Application vs. Re-Registration
Initial Application (Form I-821)
The initial TPS application requires more documentation:
Proof of nationality, Proof of continuous physical presence since the specified date, Proof of continuous residence since the specified date, Any required fee payments or fee waiver applications, Two passport-style photographs, and Form I-765 (for Employment Authorization)
All foreign-language supporting documents need certified translation.
Re-Registration
TPS re-registration (when the designation is extended) typically requires less documentation:
Form I-821 marked as re-registration, Form I-765 for EAD renewal, Updated supporting evidence (if your circumstances changed), and Fees or fee waiver
However, if USCIS requests additional evidence during re-registration, any foreign-language documents must be translated.
Late Initial Registration
If you missed the initial registration period, you may qualify for late registration if you:
Qualify during a subsequent extension period, Were in valid immigration status when TPS was designated, and Can show good cause for the late filing
Late registration often requires more extensive documentation, including explaining the late filing. Foreign-language evidence supporting your claim needs translation.
Employment Authorization
TPS recipients receive Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). To obtain or renew employment authorization, you file Form I-765 alongside your TPS application or re-registration. While the EAD itself is in English, supporting evidence for employment (foreign-language employment records, business ownership documents) may need translation.
Travel Authorization
TPS recipients who wish to travel internationally must obtain Advance Parole (Form I-131) before leaving the U.S. Foreign-language documents that may be relevant:
Travel documents from destination countries, Re-entry stamps and annotations, and Evidence of the reason for travel (family emergency documents, medical records)
Important: Traveling to the country that has TPS designation may result in USCIS determining you are no longer in need of protection. Consult an immigration attorney before traveling to your home country.
Translation Standards for TPS
The same USCIS translation standards apply to TPS as all other immigration applications:
- Full English translation of every foreign-language document
- Translator's certification of completeness and accuracy
- Translator's certification of competency
- Certificate of Accuracy
Working with Limited Documentation
Many TPS applicants fled their home countries under emergency conditions and may not have all documents:
What to Do
- Submit what you have with certified translations
- Include a sworn statement (your own affidavit) explaining why documents are unavailable
- Provide secondary evidence (school records, religious documents, employer letters)
- Contact your country's embassy or consulate for replacement documents (if safe and practicable)
- Provide country conditions evidence showing why documents cannot be obtained
USCIS Understanding
USCIS is generally aware of the documentation challenges facing TPS applicants from countries experiencing conflict or natural disaster. Officers should consider the applicant's circumstances when evaluating the evidence.
Common Mistakes
- Not translating all pages — Including backs of ID cards, annotations, and stamps
- Missing the deadline — TPS re-registration periods are strict
- Not including the Certificate of Accuracy — Every translation must be certified
- Using machine translation — Not accepted by USCIS
- Translating documents unnecessarily — If a document is already in English, don't translate it
Link Translations TPS Services
Link Translations provides certified translation for TPS applicants from all designated countries:
- Translation from all TPS-designated country languages (Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Somali, Arabic, Ukrainian, Burmese, Dari, Pashto, and more)
- Certificate of Accuracy included with every translation
- Understanding of country-specific documentation challenges
- Fast turnaround to meet TPS filing deadlines
- Affordable pricing
- Get a free quote for your TPS application documents