The Ukraine Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation and related benefits are set to terminate on October 19, 2026. USCIS has issued formal notices to affected beneficiaries with pending renewal applications, automatically extending their expired work authorization documents through the end date. Here’s what you and your clients need to know now.
What changed
USCIS is sending notices to Ukraine TPS recipients who continue to be eligible for TPS but haven’t received renewal EADs with category codes A-12 or C-19 and whose TPS-based EAD application is still pending, that their expired TPS-based EADs are extended until October 19, 2026.
SAVE will verify TPS approval using information from any TPS-related document, such as a Form I-797 Approval Notice or Form I-797C Notice of Action, and TPS beneficiaries will receive a SAVE response of “Temporary Protected Status – Employment Authorized - Temp Emp Auth” with an employment authorized through date of October 19, 2026.
Beneficiaries may show their old EAD (with Category A12 or C19 and a Card Expires date of April 19, 2025 or October 19, 2023) along with the USCIS Notice to any U.S. employer as proof of continued employment authorization through October 19, 2026. Federal, state, or local benefit-granting agencies may also accept this Notice if the beneficiary is applying for benefits.
Why it matters
The October 19, 2026 termination date is now firm and approaching. This notice accomplishes two critical things:
Automatic work authorization protection. If your client’s EAD renewal application is still pending and their old card has expired, they are now protected from a work authorization gap. The automatic extension operates by operation of the USCIS notice itself—no new application or fee is required.
SAVE verification clarity. Employers conducting E-Verify checks will see a valid work authorization status when they query beneficiaries. However, some employers may not understand that the old card plus the notice equals continued authorization. You may need to proactively educate employers or help clients prepare copies of the notice to present alongside their old card.
Planning beyond TPS termination. Many clients will have roughly two months remaining after receiving this notice to evaluate alternative immigration relief (asylum, family petitions, employment-based sponsorship, or humanitarian parole). If a client has no pending alternative application, now is the moment to discuss next steps before the TPS clock runs out.
Way forward
-
Verify receipt of the notice. If your client is a current TPS beneficiary with a pending renewal EAD application, confirm they have received USCIS’s extension notice by mail or myUSCIS account. Contact USCIS if the notice has not arrived by early September 2026.
-
Update employers on work authorization status. Provide employers with a copy of the USCIS notice and the old EAD to ensure smooth E-Verify queries and payroll continuity. Some employers may incorrectly interpret an expired card date and benefit from written confirmation that work authorization is valid through Oct. 19, 2026.
-
Identify alternative relief options now. Counsel clients with no approved permanent relief to explore asylum, family-based petitions, employment sponsorship, or humanitarian parole. Filing deadlines and processing times vary; waiting until September 2026 may be too late.
-
Document TPS status for future reference. Retain copies of all TPS notices, approval letters, and EADs. These documents may be relevant for future credibility findings, applications for lawful permanent residence, or naturalization.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Fola is a software company, not a law firm. Immigration law is complex, and every case is unique. You must consult a licensed immigration attorney to evaluate your individual circumstances, verify all deadlines and procedures against the primary sources linked above, and receive tailored legal counsel. U.S. immigration policy is subject to change without notice; check https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/TPS-Ukraine regularly for updates as the October 19, 2026 termination date approaches.