tps el salvador travel permit

Everything You Need To Know About TPS Travel Authorization and How To Apply for It

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to people in the U.S. who come from certain countries they can’t return to. If you have TPS or have applied for TPS and you want to travel outside of the United States, you need to apply for travel authorization. Getting travel authorization allows you to return to the U.S. after leaving without having your immigration status revoked. Applying for travel authorization can take up to five months, so it’s important to plan ahead.

Written by ImmigrationHelp Team .  Updated August 15, 2022

What Is TPS? 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration designation. It allows individuals to work and live in the United States regardless of their immigration status. But this special status only applies when it would be unsafe for them to return to their home country. With TPS, a person doesn’t have to worry about getting detained or deported even if they overstay an immigrant visa or are an undocumented immigrant. 

Only those who have come from countries that qualify for TPS are eligible to receive it. There are currently 15 designated countries that have Temporary Protected Status, including:

Afghanistan

Burma (Myanmar)

El Salvador

South Sudan

This list of Temporary Protected Status countries is subject to change. To confirm the current countries on the list, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Temporary Protected Status website .

How Does a Country Receive Protected Status? 

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can designate a country for TPS if certain temporary conditions make it difficult and/or dangerous for individuals from that country to return. These conditions include:

An ongoing armed conflict, like civil war; 

A natural disaster, such as a disease outbreak or earthquake; or

Another type of temporary and extraordinary condition that makes it dangerous for someone to return home.

In addition to staying in the United States without risk of removal, beneficiaries of TPS are also eligible to apply for work authorization , like receiving a work permit or Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

As beneficial as TPS is, it has a few limitations. Unlike those who receive asylum status , TPS recipients don’t have a pathway to lawful permanent residency with an adjustment of status.

Also, if you have TPS, you can’t automatically return to the United States if you leave. You can travel to and from the United States, but you first need to apply for travel authorization. This is called Advance Parole.

What Is Advance Parole? 

Despite its name, Advance Parole has nothing to do with the criminal justice system. Rather, it’s a type of travel authorization that allows certain immigrants to return to the United States after traveling abroad. Without Advance Parole, immigrants who leave the United States while their immigration application or status is still pending may:

Have their immigration status revoked

Have any pending applications denied

Be barred from re-entry to the United States

Generally speaking, if someone is eligible for TPS, they’re also eligible for Advance Parole or a TPS travel authorization document. This means if you apply for TPS, you can apply for Advance Parole at the same time. In other words, you don’t have to wait until your TPS application is approved before applying for Advance Parole.

How Can Someone With TPS Apply for Travel Authorization? 

You can get permission to travel through either Advance Parole or TPS travel authorization. Either method requires you to complete Form I-131 . It costs $575 to file this form, and the USCIS normally takes about three months to process it.

Applicants most often submit Form I-131 to the USCIS by mail. The address you mail your completed form to depends on who you are and what other immigration relief or benefits you’re requesting. 

For example, if you’re filing Form I-131 along with Form I-821 (the form you use to apply for TPS), you’ll send your Form I-131 to the address assigned to your country. If your Form I-821 has already been approved or you’re requesting Advance Parole with Form I-821 that’s pending approval, then you’ll send your Form I-131 to one of two addresses. If using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), you’ll send it to:

Attn: I-131 TPS

P.O. Box 660167

Dallas, TX 75266-0867

If you want to send Form I-131 via UPS, DHL, or FedEx, then you’ll use this address instead:

2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business

Lewisville, TX 75067

When completing Form I-131, you don’t need to give a reason for your request if you’re already on TPS and applying for Advance Parole. However, you do need to give a reason if you have a different immigration status, such as DACA or a green card.

How To Get Updates on the Status of Your Travel Authorization Request

If you want to receive progress updates via email or text notifications, you can submit Form G-1145 along with your I-131 application. The USCIS will send you an e-Notification within one day of accepting your application. This e-Notification also has a receipt number that you can use to get further application status updates as it’s processed.

Tips for Filling Out Form 1-131

To ensure the proper and efficient processing of your Form I-131 application, there are several tips to keep in mind. One of the biggest is to make sure you sign all the necessary places. 

Another important tip is to complete the form on a computer, if at all possible. This ensures you’re using the correct version of the form and allows you to easily correct any mistakes before printing out your completed form and mailing it off.

If you make a mistake on a paper form, you’ll have to start all over. This is because USCIS’s electronic scanners can’t process forms containing portions covered up with correction tape or fluid. The USCIS has a form filing tips page with more advice on completing its forms.

What Limitations Are There for Someone With TPS Traveling on Advance Parole?

If you have TPS or are applying for TPS, you shouldn’t travel outside the United States unless you first receive travel authorization. If you don’t have travel authorization, you may be unable to reenter the U.S.

In certain situations, it could take more than a year to approve your travel authorization. So the moment you know you’ll need to go overseas or think there’s a chance you may have to, it’s best to begin the travel authorization application process. If you want to have a rough idea of how long the USCIS might take to process your Form I-131, you can use the USCIS’s processing times online tool .

Another limitation is the length of time you can be outside the United States. The exact length of time can vary, but in most cases, the maximum amount of time you can expect to stay out of the United States and still return is one year. You may be able to extend this time by applying for a second Advance Parole while traveling with an approved Advance Parole that’s still valid. Just make sure you return to the United States before your designated period of Advance Parole expires.

Finally, if your TPS application is pending and you leave the country, you may miss important notifications about your application. It might also be difficult to schedule appointments like a biometrics appointment .

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What You Need to Know About Temporary Protected Status for Salvadoran Nationals

On June 21, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador would be extended another 18 months, until March 9, 2025.

If you are a national of El Salvador (or if you have no nationality and last habitually resided in El Salvador) and were already granted TPS, you can apply to renew your TPS and your work permit. This will allow you to continue to live and work legally in the U.S. for as long as El Salvador is designated a TPS country.

What is Temporary Protected Status?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a status that allows you to live and work legally in the U.S. It is valid for 18 months at a time, allows you to apply for a work permit and a Social Security Number, and may be renewed for as long as El Salvador is designated a TPS country.

When can I re-register for TPS?

The TPS re-registration period is open from July 12, 2023, through March 9, 2025.

If I am approved, how long will TPS be valid for?

The new period of TPS for El Salvador starts on September 10, 2023, and ends on March 9, 2025. The U.S. government could choose to extend TPS for El Salvador.

What will happen with my current work permit?

For current beneficiaries of Salvadoran TPS, USCIS has automatically extended the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (also known as “work permits”) until June 30, 2024, as long as the person continues to be eligible for TPS and re-registers by the September 10, 2023 deadline.

If I am from El Salvador and already have TPS, is TPS re-registration guaranteed for me?

No. Even if you are from El Salvador, you would be ineligible for TPS re-registration if:

• you have not continuously resided in the U.S. since February 13, 2001;
• If you have ever been arrested, cited or convicted of an offense, you should obtain a Certificate of Disposition for each matter, and you should speak to an immigration law expert before applying for TPS.

Which forms will I need to file?

To apply for TPS re-registration, you will need to file at least Form I-821. If you would like an employment authorization document (work permit), you will need to also file Form I-765. If you would like to request a fee waiver, you will need to file Form I-912 (or ask for a fee waiver in writing).  You might need to file Form I-601, if certain “inadmissibility grounds” apply in your case.

The forms can all be downloaded for free from the USCIS  website , but there are filing fees that must be paid, unless the fees are waived.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.

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• Temporary Protected Status
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Temporary Protected Status – TPS

For example, if there is war or an environmental disaster occurring in your country, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may decide to grant certain nationals of your country TPS in the US. On this page, we also explain how to get a work card and a travel permit under TPS.

On September 8, 2023, DHS announced an extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) re-registration periods for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan to 18 months.

On June 13, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced his decision to rescind the 2017 and 2018 terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua effective June 9, 2023, and extend the TPS designations of:

• El Salvador for 18 months, from Sept. 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through Sept. 10, 2023);
• Honduras for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024);
• Nepal for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023); and
• Nicaragua for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024).

On February 10, 2023, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals voided an earlier decision by a 3-judge panel which allowed the Trump administration to terminate the Temporary Protected Status for over 300,000 immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan. The case will be reheard by an en banc panel of judges.

In 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that persons who entered the U.S. without inspection and were later granted temporary protected status cannot adjust their status in the United States.

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Persons granted TPS cannot be deported from the US, are eligible to apply for an EAD work permit and may be granted an Advance Parole travel permit.

Use form I-821 to apply for TPS, form I-765 to apply for a work permit and form I-131 to apply for a travel permit.

Although TPS is a temporary benefit which does not automatically lead to a green card, if you are eligible, you are not prohibited from applying for permanent residence, temporary visa status or any other immigration status.

In July 2022, USCIS rescinded its designation of the AAO decision in  Matter of Z-R-Z-C-  as an adopted decision and updates it interpretation of the effects of authorized travel by TPS beneficiaries. This memo supersedes the prior USCIS Policy Manual regarding the treatment of a TPS beneficiary’s return after authorized travel abroad.

USCIS updated it guidance as follows:

• USCIS will no longer use the advance parole mechanism to authorize travel for TPS beneficiaries, but will instead provide a new TPS travel authorization document. This document will serve as evidence of the prior consent for travel contemplated in INA 244(f)(3) and serve as evidence that the bearer may be inspected and admitted into TPS pursuant to MTINA if all other requirements are met.
• TPS beneficiaries whom DHS has inspected and admitted into TPS under MTINA, subsequent to that inspection and admission, will have been “inspected and admitted” and are “present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission,” including for purposes of adjustment of status under INA 245. This is true even if the TPS beneficiary was present without admission or parole when initially granted TPS.

Here is what the USCIS website says about TPS:

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.  USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.  Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.

The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions in the country:

• Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
• An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic
• Other extraordinary and temporary conditions

During a designated period, individuals who are TPS beneficiaries or who are found preliminarily eligible for TPS upon initial review of their cases ( prima facie eligible):

• Are not removable from the United States
• Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
• May be granted travel authorization

Once granted TPS, an individual also cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of his or her immigration status in the United States.

TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or give any other immigration status. However, registration for TPS does not prevent you from:

• Applying for nonimmigrant status
• Filing for adjustment of status based on an immigrant petition
• Applying for any other immigration benefit or protection for which you may be eligible

PLEASE NOTE: To be granted any other immigration benefit you must still meet all the eligibility requirements for that particular benefit.  An application for TPS does not affect an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit and vice versa. Denial of an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit does not affect your ability to register for TPS, although the grounds of denial of that application may also lead to denial of TPS.

Government TPS Resources by Country

• Afghanistan
• El Salvador
• Sierra Leone
• South Sudan

Temporary Protected Status: Additional Resources

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) (USCIS)
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) – (CLINIC)

Practice Advisories Regarding Temporary Protected Status

• The Impact of Crimes on TPS Eligibility (4-7-23)
• New Policy on TPS and Travel (3-14-23)
• ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR TPS HOLDERS AFTER SANCHEZ V. MAYORKAS (6-21-21)

Temporary Protected Status: AAO Decisions

• USCIS Policy Memo: Matter of H-G-G- (Adopted AAO Precedent Decision re: TPS, July 31, 2019)
• AAO Non-Precedent Decisions on Temporary Protected Status

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News > Fact Sheets

Fact sheet: temporary protected status el salvador, honduras, nepal, and nicaragua.

Posted on Sep 12 2023

This ILCM fact sheet was updated on and is current as of September 8, 2023. It is not legal advice.

UPDATE: On September 8, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the reregistration period for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. A new FRN for this re-registration extension will be published soon.

On June 21, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published Federal Register notices (FRNs) announcing the rescission of the 2017 and 2018 terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador , Honduras , Nepal , and Nicaragua effective June 9, 2023, and the extension of those countries’ TPS designations. All TPS holders from these countries are required to re-register during their country’s re-registration period.

What is temporary protected status (TPS)?

TPS is granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eligible foreign-born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to conditions or circumstances preventing their return to their home country.

During the designated TPS period, TPS holders are not removable from the United States and not detainable by DHS based on their immigration status. TPS holders are eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD) and for travel authorization.

What does the extension of TPS for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua mean?

This extension enables current TPS holders from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua to apply to extend their TPS status. To receive the TPS extension you must re-register during the re-registration period.

The Federal Register notice (FRN) from November 2022 still automatically extends the validity of TPS-related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs); Notices of Action (Forms I-797); and Arrival/Departure Records (Forms I-94), (collectively “TPS-related documentation”) for TPS holders from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua until June 30, 2024.

Who is eligible for TPS under this extension?

Only current TPS holders from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua are eligible for the extension if they otherwise continue to meet eligibility requirements.

*If you previously had TPS under these countries’ designations but you failed to re-register for TPS during a prior registration period, talk with an immigration attorney before filing to re-register for TPS.

How long will eligible individuals have protection under TPS?

TPS is a temporary status. The Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is extending TPS for current TPS holders from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.

• El Salvador from September 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025
• Honduras from January 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025
• Nepal from December 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025
• Nicaragua from January 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025

When are the re-registration periods? UPDATED

You must re-register during the re-registration period to extend your TPS status.

• El Salvador (60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through March 9, 2025 )
• Honduras (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025 )
• Nepal (60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through June 24, 2025 )
• Nicaragua (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025 )

How long is my EAD valid now?

Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is still valid through June 30, 2024. You can also apply for a new EAD that will be valid as long as you have protection under a TPS designation.

How do I prove my EAD was extended?

To prove your EAD is extended until June 30, 2024, TPS holders can show their EADs and the Federal Register Notice to employers to demonstrate that DHS has extended your EAD and employment authorization through June 30, 2024. The Federal Register notice explains how TPS holders and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended.

El Salvador

This extension of TPS for El Salvador is from September 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025, so long as you otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. El Salvador Federal Register Notice

I am from El Salvador and currently have TPS. Do I need to re-register? UPDATED

Yes. Current TPS holders under the El Salvador TPS designation need to re-register to maintain TPS. You must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from July 12, 2023, through March 9, 2025 .

You can also apply for a new EAD that will be valid until March 9, 2025.

I am from El Salvador and do not currently have TPS, may I apply?

If you never had TPS for El Salvador, you cannot apply for TPS now. If you previously had TPS for El Salvador but failed to re-register for TPS during a prior registration period, talk with an immigration attorney before filing to re-register for TPS.

This extension of TPS for Honduras is from January 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025, so long as you otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Honduras Federal Register Notice

I am from Honduras and currently have TPS. Do I need to re-register? UPDATED

Yes. Current TPS holders under the TPS designation for Honduras need to re-register to maintain TPS. You must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025 .

You can also apply for a new EAD that will be valid until July 5, 2025.

I am from Honduras and do not currently have TPS, may I apply?

If you never had TPS for Honduras, you cannot apply for TPS now. If you previously had TPS for Honduras but failed to re-register for TPS during a prior registration period, talk with an immigration attorney before filing to re-register for TPS.

This extension of TPS for Nepal is from December 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025, so long as you otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Nepal Federal Register Notice

I am from Nepal and currently have TPS. Do I need to re-register? UPDATED

Yes. Current TPS holders under the TPS designation for Nepal need to re-register to maintain TPS. You must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period for existing beneficiaries that runs from October 24, 2023, through June 24, 2025 .

You can also apply for a new EAD that will be valid until June 24, 2025.

I am from Nepal and do not currently have TPS, may I apply?

If you never had TPS for Nepal, you cannot apply for TPS now. If you previously had TPS for Nepal but failed to re-register for TPS during a prior registration period, talk with an immigration attorney before filing to re-register for TPS.

This extension of TPS for Nicaragua is from January 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025, so long as you otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Nicaragua Federal Register Notice

I am from Nicaragua and currently have TPS. Do I need to re-register? UPDATED

Yes. Current TPS holders under the TPS designation for Nicaragua need to re-register to maintain TPS. You must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period for existing beneficiaries that runs from November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025 .

I am from Nicaragua and do not currently have TPS, may I apply?

If you never had TPS for Nicaragua, you cannot apply for TPS now. If you previously had TPS for Nicaragua but failed to re-register for TPS during a prior registration period, talk with an immigration attorney before filing to re-register for TPS.

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) provides free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants in a variety of immigration matters. For more information about how we can assist you, please visit our website at www.ilcm.org or call us at 1-800-223-1368.

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TPS for El Salvador

Updated 11/7/2023

TPS Available Through March 9, 2025

On June 13, 2023, DHS announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible Salvadorans who currently hold TPS, through March 9, 2025 . DHS also withdrew the Trump administration’s 2018 termination of Salvadoran TPS. Until the DHS announcement, the Ramos lawsuit had temporarily stopped the termination of Salvadoran TPS from going into  effect.  

TPS provides temporary immigration status, protection from deportation, and permission to  work in the U.S.

Who Is Eligible for Salvadoran TPS?

Current Salvadoran TPS holders (who have lived in the U.S. since February 13, 2001) can apply for an extension of TPS and work authorization. The announcement did not expand TPS to include Salvadorans who came to the U.S. and have lived here after February 13, 2001.   How Do I Apply for an Extension of TPS?

Salvadorans who currently have TPS must apply for an extension (re-register) by filing a TPS application ( Form I-821 ) by March 9, 2025 .

How Do I Apply for a Work Authorization Extension?

To obtain proof of your work authorization extension through March 9, 2025, you must file an  application, ( Form I-765 ), for a new work permit valid through March 9, 2025. While you are waiting to receive your new work permit, your auto-extension of work authorization is valid until June 30, 2024.

Since I Received Automatic Work Authorization and a TPS Extension until June 30, 2024,  Do I Still Need to Apply for an Extension?

Yes, if you want your TPS status and work authorization to continue through March 9, 2025,  you must apply for an extension.

When Should I File for Work Authorization?

You can file an application for work authorization ( Form I-765 ) with your TPS application or before the end of the TPS re-registration period. DHS recommends filing your work authorization as soon as possible.

Take Action, and Make your Voice Heard!

TPS saves lives by protecting people who are already in the U.S. from returning to countries  that are unsafe. Take action by telling your senator to urge President Biden to redesignate TPS  for existing TPS countries and extend TPS to other countries that also qualify: 1-877-267-5060

Remember – it’s important not to travel outside the U.S. without first applying for and receiving permission to travel, advance parole.

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Update May 10, 2024

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El Salvador

Travel Advisory July 17, 2023

El salvador - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Reconsider travel to El Salvador due to  crime.

Country Summary:  In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador (GOES) declared a “State of Exception” in response to an increase in homicides. The declaration remains in effect. The State of Exception grants authorities power to arrest anyone suspected of gang activity and suspends several constitutional rights, including the normal protections of criminal procedure such as the right to a speedy trial. Prison conditions are harsh. Several U.S. and other foreign citizens have been detained under the State of Exception, some in a reportedly arbitrary manner. Under its Territorial Control Plan, the GOES also may, without prior warning, restrict access via checkpoints to areas suspected of gang activity. U.S. citizens are advised that access to and freedom of movement within these areas may be limited.

Though there has been a significant reduction in gang-related activity, violent crime remains a concern throughout significant portions of the country. Crime rates vary among departamentos (states) and municipios (municipalities), and areas witnessing higher crime rates are often located in close proximity to lower crime areas or must be crossed in moving between lower risk areas. Local authorities may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, although the concentration of resources in resort areas means these areas tend to be better policed than urban areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to El Salvador.

If you decide to travel to El Salvador: 

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not walk outside after dark. Do not drive to unfamiliar and/or remote locations after dark.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Engage local guides certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in back country areas.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for El Salvador.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel. 

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Passport must be valid at time of entry.

At least one blank page.

A visa is not required for stays under 90 days, but you must purchase a tourist card for 12 USD upon arrival. The card is valid for 90 days. If your U.S. passport shows you were born in El Salvador, you do not need the tourist card.

None, check recommendation in Health Section.

Currency in excess of 10,000 USD must be declared.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy san salvador.

Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad San Salvador, El Salvador Telephone: +(503) 2501-2999 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(503) 2501-2999 Fax: +(503) 2278-5522 Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You need a U.S. passport and either a Salvadoran visa or a one-entry tourist card to enter El Salvador.

• You may obtain a tourist card when you arrive at the airport or seaport from immigration officials for a $12 fee. The card is valid for 90 days.
• If you plan to remain in El Salvador for more than 90 days, you must apply in advance for a multiple-entry visa, issued free of charge, from the Embassy of El Salvador in Washington, D.C. (202-595-7500) or from one of the 18  Salvadoran consulates  in the United States.

In June 2006, El Salvador entered into the “Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement” with Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Under that agreement, U.S. citizens who legally enter any of those four countries may travel freely among the other three countries for up to 90 days.

If you wish to remain in the CA-4 region for more than 90 days, you must request a one-time extension from local immigration authorities in the country where you are present. If you are, “expelled” from one of the four countries, you are expelled from the entire CA-4 region.

Minors:  A U.S. citizen minor present in El Salvador for  more  than one year is considered a  resident  of El Salvador. To depart El Salvador, a minor resident needs written consent from any parent listed on the child’s birth certificate that is not traveling with the minor. The consent form must be notarized by a Salvadoran notary.  The process to obtain parental travel consent that is accepted by Salvadoran immigration can be lengthy. Plan ahead if you intend to have your minor child travel without both parents after being present in El Salvador for more than one year .

HIV/AIDS Restrictions:  The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any specific HIV/AIDS entry restrictions or regulations for visitors or for foreign residents of El Salvador. Antiretroviral medication with a prescription can be imported for personal use and for the duration of stay. 

Dual Nationality and International Parental Child Abduction:  Information about  dual nationality  and the prevention of  international child abduction  can be found on our website.

Customs:  For information about customs regulations, please read our  Customs Information page .

Volunteers, Mission Groups, and Non-Profits:  Groups bringing donated supplies, equipment, or medicine may experience difficulties with customs. To avoid potential problems, clear all donated material with the appropriate Salvadoran government office before arriving in El Salvador. To import donated medicines: Contact the Dirección Nacional de Medicamentos (National Directorate of Medications) via email at  [email protected]

Safety and Security

The crime threat level in El Salvador is critical and our  Travel Advisory  warns U.S. citizens of the high rates of crime and violence. See below for additional information on crime.

Dial 911 for emergency assistance in El Salvador.

Protests:  Demonstrations, sit-ins, and protests may occur at any time or place, but are most frequent in and around the capital San Salvador. Avoid demonstrations, because even apparently peaceful ones may turn violent. Follow local news media reports or contact the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information.

Crime:  El Salvador has a high level of homicides and crimes such as extortion, assault, and robbery are common.

Typical crimes in El Salvador include extortion, mugging, highway assault, home invasion, and car theft. Gangs have traditionally controlled a majority of the space in El Salvador, even if their presence is not visible to outsiders, and exist by extorting money from businesses, travelers, residents and others living in or passing through their territory. Non-compliance or resistance to gang demands often results in violence. This activity can occur even in wealthy and relatively peaceful areas. Home invasions and/or burglaries of residences during broad daylight occur in areas of San Salvador; in some cases, gangs simply expel residents from their homes and take over the property for criminal use.  U.S. citizens who visit El Salvador for extended periods may be at higher risk for extortion demands.

El Salvador has tens of thousands of known gang members from several gangs including Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and 18th Street (M18). Gang members have been known to frequently engage in violence or use deadly force if resisted. The gangs, or “maras,” customarily have concentrated on extortion, violent street crime, carjacking, narcotics and arms trafficking, and murder for hire.  Extortion is a common crime in El Salvador.

Many suspected gang members have been detained since March 27, 2022 under a State of Exception.  Reported crimes have reduced since that time, but crime in El Salvador remains at critical levels.

U.S. Embassy personnel are advised to walk only in known, lit, well-secured locations. Criminals may be active even in popular parks with a security presence.

Exercise caution at all times and practice good personal security procedures throughout your stay.

• Always travel in groups.
• Avoid remote or isolated locations.
• Avoid displaying or carrying valuables in public places.
• Avoid stopping at tourist overlooks, which may be targeted by criminals.
• Never leave passports and other important documents in vehicles.
• In public, remain alert and avoid the use of cell phones and earphones. These reduce your self-awareness and provide easy targets for crimes of opportunity.
• Do not travel on public transportation, especially buses.
• Use only radio-dispatched taxis, taxis stationed in front of major hotels, or internet-based rideshare services.
• Choose banks or ATMs inside secure, guarded areas and remain alert.
• Remain vigilant even in well-known restaurants, hotels, and retailers within San Salvador.
• Credit card cloning and similar fraud can occur; keep your card in sight.
• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling by car. Navigation apps seeking the quickest routes may direct you off safer routes into dangerous areas.
• Drive with your doors locked and windows raised.
• Avoid travel outside of major metropolitan areas after dark and on unpaved roads at all times because of hazardous road conditions and criminal activity.
• Criminals who threaten violence typically use violence without hesitation if victims do not comply instantly. Conversely, the Embassy has no reports of serious injury or worse among victims who comply.

Armed robberies of climbers and hikers in El Salvador’s national parks can occur. Engage the services of a local guide certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in back-country areas and within the national parks. The  tourist police force (POLITUR)  provides security and assistance to tourists. Officers are located in 19 tourist destinations. Beware of hikes and guides in locations without an official guide service or police presence, regardless of advice found on the Internet. 

A majority of serious crimes in El Salvador are never solved. The Government of El Salvador lacks sufficient resources to properly investigate and prosecute cases and to deter violent crime. 

Do not purchase counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are counterfeit goods subject to seizure upon entry in the United States, but if you purchase them, you may also be exposed to legal liability in El Salvador.

Victims of Crime:  If you or someone you know becomes a victim of crime, report it to the local police by calling 911 and to the U.S. Embassy. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The U.S. Embassy can:

• Replace a stolen or lost passport
• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Guide you on how to report a crime to police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Watersports:  Strong undertows and currents make swimming at El Salvador's Pacific Coast beaches extremely dangerous even for experienced swimmers. Government lifeguards are generally present at most public beaches but are not always present at private beaches. Follow all instructions of any lifeguard, and do not enter the water at any location at which red warning flags are displayed to signify dangerous conditions. In addition, El Salvador’s search and rescue capabilities are limited, and access to medical resources in beach areas is inadequate. Carefully assess the potential risks of recreational water activities and consider your physical capabilities and skills. Be aware that drinking alcohol and swimming can be a deadly combination.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

State of Exception: In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador declared a 30-day “State of Exception” in response to an increase in homicides; the State of Exception has been extended several times since, and it continues today. The State of Exception suspended several constitutional rights, including the normal protections of criminal procedure such as the right to a speedy trial, among others. Several U.S. and other foreign citizens have been detained under the State of Exception, some in a reportedly arbitrary manner. The number of all detainees has increased significantly, and prison conditions are harsh.

Criminal Penalties:  While in El Salvador, you are subject to local laws. Your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest. Remember your activities are limited by the type of visa you have. If you violate Salvadoran laws, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in El Salvador are severe. (Please note that any items containing THC, even certain CBD products that are legal and widely available in the United States, are illegal in El Salvador) . Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Some offenses committed overseas can be prosecuted in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see the  U.S. Department of State website  and the  Department of Justice website  on crimes against minors abroad.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the  U.S. Embassy  immediately.

Prison and detention center conditions in El Salvador are harsh and dangerous. Overcrowding constitutes a serious threat to prisoners’ health and lives. In many facilities, provisions for sanitation, potable water, ventilation, temperature control, and lighting are inadequate or nonexistent.

Guns:  You must have a locally obtained license to possess or carry a firearm in El Salvador. Convictions for possessing an unlicensed firearm can carry a prison sentence of three to five years. The U.S. Embassy cannot intervene on your behalf.

Disaster Preparedness:  Preparation for natural disasters is essential in El Salvador, which has 21 active volcanoes, constant seismic activities, and a rainy season that produces severe flooding and mudslides.

Find information about natural disaster preparedness on the  U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  website. Find information in Spanish about earthquakes (sismos) and other natural disasters in El Salvador on the  Government of El Salvador’s web page . Learn more on our  webpage about crisis and disaster preparedness .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in El Salvador. There is, however, widespread discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, access to health care, and identity documents. Public officials, including the police, have reportedly engaged in violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons. For more detailed information about LGBTQI+ rights in El Salvador, you may review the  State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018 . For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTQI+) travel, please read our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page.

Travelers with Disabilities:  Salvadoran law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other state services. The government, however, does not allocate sufficient resources to enforce these prohibitions effectively. There are few access ramps or provisions for the mobility of persons with sight and hearing disabilities.

For emergency services in El Salvador, dial 911. 

Private and public hospitals do not meet U.S. standards. The U.S. Embassy recommends that private hospitals be used only for emergency care to stabilize a condition prior to returning to the United States for definitive evaluation and treatment. Private hospitals and physicians expect up-front payment (cash or credit card). They do not bill U.S. insurance companies. 

Ambulance services are: 

not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards 

• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment 

The Department of State does not pay medical bills. U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. 

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpa ge for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Government of El Salvador to ensure the medication is legal in El Salvador. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

The following diseases are prevalent: 

• Chikungunya
• Diarrheal illness

Vaccinations:  All  routinely recommended immunizations  for the U.S. should be up-to-date.

• Measles, mumps, rubella ,  tetanus, pertussis  and  chickenpox  are much more common than in the U.S., especially among children.
• Hepatitis A  and  typhoid   immunization is recommended for all travelers.
• Hepatitis B  vaccine is recommended for all those who may have sexual contact, tattoos or require medical treatment while in El Salvador.
• Yellow Fever : Travelers coming from countries where yellow fever is endemic must have had a yellow fever vaccination in order to enter the country. For more information,  visit El Salvador’s Immigration website .
• Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in El Salvador. For further information, please consult the  CDC’s information on Tuberculosis .

You can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the following websites:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Travel and Transportation

Major highways in El Salvador are among the best in Central America, but road conditions throughout El Salvador are not up to U.S. standards. Even within the city of San Salvador, it is common to see missing manhole covers and large objects in the roadway marking the danger.

Avoid driving during nighttime hours or periods of low visibility as slow-moving vehicles are common, and vehicles without taillights are often on the road. Mini-buses, regular buses, and taxis are poorly maintained. Drivers are frequently unlicensed and generally do not adhere to traffic rules and regulations. You can expect to find pedestrians walking on the roadways and, in rural areas, it is common to encounter livestock on the road.

Traffic Laws:  Drive defensively as traffic laws are not enforced. Passing on blind corners or cutting across several lanes of traffic is commonplace. Two lane traffic circles are common and are especially dangerous to navigate.

If you are in an accident, call the police. The law requires all parties involved in a vehicle accident to stay at the scene and not move the vehicles involved until the police respond, and you should do so unless you reasonably suspect that remaining at the scene presents a danger . Leaving the scene could lead to future legal complications, but always maintain your personal safety. When police arrive, be prepared to share your name, address in the country, vehicle registration and insurance, and driver’s license information. Be aware there are legal consequences to admitting fault.

Hit and run accidents are common. Salvadoran law requires the detention and arrest of a driver involved in an accident that injures or kills another person if the driver is under the influence of alcohol or does not possess a proper driver’s license.

You may drive with a U.S. driver’s license for up to 30 days. After that time, you must obtain a Salvadoran license.

If you want to apply for a Salvadoran driver’s license, you must present an authenticated copy of your U.S. driver’s license to Salvadoran authorities. Requests for an  apostille or authentication certificate  are generally submitted in writing to your state’s Notary commissioning authority (usually the Secretary of State’s office.)

Public Transportation:  Please refer to our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of El Salvador’s  national tourist office  and the  national authority responsible for road safety . Further information on traffic and road conditions is available in Spanish from  Automovil Club de El Salvador (ACES) .

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of El Salvador’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of El Salvador’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to El Salvador should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in El Salvador .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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Administration Extends Temporary Protected Status To Many Salvadorans In U.S.

Richard Gonzales

Acting U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan (left) and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele attend a meeting in San Salvador, El Salvador, in August. Salvador Melendez/AP hide caption

Acting U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan (left) and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele attend a meeting in San Salvador, El Salvador, in August.

The Trump administration is extending protections from deportation to more than 200,000 Salvadoran citizens living and working in the United States in an announcement made Monday.

Under the program called Temporary Protected Status — usually reserved to help foreign nationals from countries embroiled in wars or facing natural disasters — thousands of Salvadorans were allowed to stay in the U.S. following earthquakes in 2001.

"The Trump Administration is extending the validity of work permits for El Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through January 4, 2021," read a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The move apparently reverses a decision made in 2018 to end TPS for Salvadorans. The Trump administration also has tried to end TPS for people from Sudan, Haiti, and Nicaragua, among others. A federal judge has blocked the administration after a lawsuit was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.

U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Ronald Johnson made the announcement about TPS with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele in a video tweet .

"This is recognition of the achievements and good work of the government of Nayib Bukele," Johnson said.

But in a discordant note, the acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Ken Cuccinelli disputed that the administration is extending TPS for Salvadorans.

"A clarification: some reporting has spoken of 'extending TPS,' " Cuccinelli said in a tweet . "That has important legal meaning, and that's not what happened w/ the agreements. Rather, work permits for Salvadorans will be extended for 1 year past resolution of litigation for an orderly wind down period."

The TPS announcement came as part of a larger message about "greater collaboration on information sharing, border and aviation security, and international diplomacy" between the two countries. U.S. officials will "advise and mentor their El Salvadoran national police, border security, immigration, and customs counterparts," with an emphasis on the collection and sharing of biometric data.

Last month, the U.S. and El Salvador announced another agreement to stem the tide of migrants trying to reach the U.S. by sending asylum seekers to El Salvador. At the time, it was not clear that El Salvador's cooperation on asylum would be linked to any other bilateral issue, such as the status of Salvadoran TPS holders in the U.S.

The administration still seeks to repatriate Salvadorans in "an orderly and responsible process," the DHS statement said.

"However, a sudden inflow of 250,000 individuals to El Salvador could spark another mass migration to the U.S. and reinvigorate the crisis at the southern border."

• Department of Homeland Security
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U.S. Extends Temporary Work Permits for El Salvador Immigrants

Those who have Temporary Protected Status will have another year to work legally in the United States.

By Miriam Jordan and Kirk Semple

Eager to seal a deal with El Salvador to curb a surge of migrants to the southwestern border, the Trump administration on Monday agreed to special legal protections that would allow an estimated 250,000 Salvadorans to stay and work in the United States for an additional year.

The announcement walks back an earlier decision to strip Temporary Protected Status in January from these Salvadoran immigrants, many of whom have resided lawfully in the United States for nearly two decades.

All told, about 400,000 immigrants from around the world are beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status — a program that allows immigrants from countries that have suffered from natural disasters or other urgent situations to live and work in the United States. It was intended to be temporary, and President Trump after his election immediately began trying to roll it back for countries whose residents had benefited from its provisions for many years.

Monday’s decision marks a concession to Salvadorans who have built lives in the United States and sent billions of dollars in American wages home. It comes as part of a package of agreements the Trump administration has negotiated in recent weeks aimed at winning Central America’s cooperation in slowing the movement of migrants fleeing violence and poverty.

The United States and Guatemala have also signed a cooperation agreement to reduce the number of Central American asylum seekers traveling to the United States. Once the accord is enforced , the United States will begin returning asylum seekers who traveled through Guatemala back to that country, where they can choose to apply for asylum or to return home.

In March, President Trump suspended aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to exercise additional pressure. This month, the president announced he would restore some aid to those countries after they agreed to take in asylum seekers as requested.

These agreements, in combination with policies that have pressured Mexico to shelter more asylum applicants, have contributed to a steep drop in unauthorized immigration in recent months.

The number of migrants taken into custody at the southwestern border peaked at 144,200 in May; that number was down to 52,000 in September, though numbers are often down during the hot summer months.

Monday’s agreement with El Salvador called for a new law enforcement partnership to identify air passengers linked to terrorism or to narcotics, weapons or currency smuggling. Under its provisions, the United States will send American law enforcement officials to help “mentor” their police, border security and immigration counterparts in El Salvador.

But its most talked-about provision is the one that allows Salvadorans who have Temporary Protected Status to legally work in the United States until Jan. 4, 2021 — a year later than the deadline set earlier by the Trump administration.

They could conceivably be allowed to remain longer because the order also guarantees that Salvadorans will have 365 days from the conclusion of litigation over the program — whenever that is — to “repatriate” back to their home country.

“The administration’s goal is to create an orderly and responsible process to repatriate Salvadorans and help them return home,” the news release said. Immediately ordering all 250,000 people enrolled in the program to return home, it said, “could spark another mass migration to the U.S. and reinvigorate the crisis at the southern border.”

But critics who successfully sued the government to win an injunction over the rollbacks in Temporary Protected Status said the administration was using vulnerable immigrants to achieve its border security goals.

“This suggests that the government is using the program that protects tens of thousands of people as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with other countries,” said Ahilan Arulanantham, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, which is representing immigrants from six countries in a lawsuit to reinstate the program.

The Salvadoran diaspora in the United States is by far the largest of any Central American nation, and it provides a hefty economic lifeline for that country. In 2018, remittances from Salvadorans living abroad, most of them in the United States, totaled nearly $5.4 billion, equivalent to about 20 percent of El Salvador’s gross domestic product, according to the World Bank.

Salvadorans have also become an important part of the United States economy. Roughly one-fifth of all construction workers in Washington, D.C., are immigrants with Temporary Protected Status, most of them Salvadorans.

Under the humanitarian program, some Salvadorans were granted the status to stay in the United States after a pair of devastating earthquakes struck their country in 2001. In the ensuing years, the George W. Bush and Obama administrations extended the protection several times.

The deal announced on Monday was a major political victory for El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, who took office in June. Mr. Bukele has sought to strengthen his country’s relationship with the United States, its largest trading partner and the home of more than 1.4 million Salvadoran emigrants. At the same time, he has aggressively lobbied the Trump administration for an extension of the protected status guarantees.

Mr. Bukele, a businessman who has cast himself as a iconoclastic reformer, has taken pains when dealing with the Trump administration to disavow his predecessors’ embrace of President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. He has also sought to position El Salvador as a welcoming place for American investment and to distance his nation from Guatemala and Honduras, two troubled neighbors that have also sent large numbers of immigrants to the United States.

Most importantly, perhaps, Mr. Bukele has thrown his support behind Mr. Trump’s efforts to decrease migration from Central America, including signing an agreement last month, similar to the one negotiated with Guatemala, that would allow the United States to require asylum seekers who passed through El Salvador on their journey to the American border to apply for asylum there first.

“They said that it was impossible — that the Salvadoran government couldn’t do anything,” Mr. Bukele wrote on Twitter on Monday in announcing the protected status extension. “But we knew that our allies would not leave us on our own.”

In seeking to cancel many of its protections, the administration argued in 2018 that the Temporary Protected Status program had turned into a quasi-permanent benefit for hundreds of thousands of people.

But a year ago, a federal court in California temporarily blocked the administration from terminating the protection for immigrants from Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti or El Salvador. Subsequent lawsuits effectively retained protections for people from Honduras and Nepal under the same terms.

The government then announced that it would abide by the injunction, and extended the program to January 2020 for migrants from those countries as part of negotiations with the A.C.L.U. A decision on the appeal could come in the coming months.

Enrollees from the other countries still face the January 2020 cutoff for the program.

As news spread about the announcement on Monday, Salvadorans across the United States expressed relief that they would not have to leave, or resort to living in the shadows if they chose to remain illegally.

“I am very happy,” said Veronica Lagunas, 41, a Salvadoran who works overnight cleaning offices in Los Angeles. She has two children born in the United States and owns a mobile home.

Ms. Lagunas had said last year that she would risk arrest and deportation to stay in the United States if her Temporary Protected Status were to end. But without the work permit that comes with the status, she would lose the job she has held for more than a decade, and her family would no longer have medical insurance or other benefits.

Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting.

Miriam Jordan is a national immigration correspondent. She reports from a grassroots perspective on the impact of immigration policy. She has been a reporter in Mexico, Israel, Hong Kong, India and Brazil. More about Miriam Jordan

Kirk Semple is a correspondent covering Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. He is based in Mexico City. More about Kirk Semple

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Temporary protected status (TPS) for El Salvadorans in the U.S. has been extended through January 4, 2021, under an agreement with El Salvador, the Department of Homeland Security announced on October 28, 2019. There are 250,000 El Salvadorans in the U.S. with work permits on TPS.

The  agreement provides that the two countries will cooperate  on information sharing, border security, and “confront illegal migration.” The agreement also provides a 365-day transition period.

Since October 2018, when the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in  Ramos v. Nielsen ,  issued a nationwide preliminary injunction  blocking termination of TPS for beneficiaries from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan, DHS has been extending TPS and work authorization into 2020 for those individuals. In March 2019, TPS beneficiaries from Nepal and Honduras received similar treatment. If the preliminary injunction is lifted, DHS promised an “orderly transition” of 120 days or the previously announced termination date.

Acting Director of USCIS Ken Cuccinelli  explained that this is not an extension of TPS for El Salvador , as that has a specific legal meaning, but “[r]ather, work permits for Salvadorans will be extended for 1 year past resolution of litigation for an orderly wind down period.” The Administration still wants to repatriate Salvadorans,  but recognizes  that “a sudden inflow of 250,000 individuals to El Salvador could spark another mass migration to the U.S. and reinvigorate the crisis at the southern border.”

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TPS: cuándo y dónde debo presentar el estatus de protección si soy de El Salvador

por Redacción RPP

Las personas que accedan al TPS no son removidos de Estados Unidos y tampoco detenidos por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional.

El Estatus de Protección Temporal ( TPS , por sus siglas en inglés) es un beneficio migratorio temporal que estableció el gobierno de Estados Unidos para inmigrantes de determinados países.

Las personas que pueden acceder a este beneficio deben ser oriundos de países con un conflicto armado en curso , un desastre natural y otras condiciones extraordinarias de carácter temporal que no les permitan regresar.

Los beneficiarios del TPS no son removidos de Estados Unidos y tampoco serán detenidos por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés). Asimismo, pueden buscar trabajo mediante el Documento de Autorización de Empleo (EAD, por sus siglas en inglés).

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Cuándo y dónde debo presentar el tps si soy de el salvador.

Ese beneficio migratorio también es apto para ciudadanos de El Salvador. El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional extendió los periodos de inscripción para este país  desde el 12 de julio de 2023 hasta el 9 de marzo de 2025 .

Los salvadoreños pueden presentar el Formulario I-821 , Solicitud de Estatus de Protección Temporal, a través de la página web del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (Uscis, por sus siglas en inglés)

Al presentar una solicitud de TPS inicial o reinscribirse al TPS, también pueden solicitar un EAD al enviar el Formulario I-765, Solicitud de Autorización de Empleo completado, en línea, junto con el Formulario I-821.

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