U.S. ends temporary protected status for Nepal
CONNECTICUT– The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that **Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepal will end on August 5, 2025. This decision affects thousands of Nepali nationals who have lived and worked in the United States under this special program. TPS was originally granted to Nepal in 2015 after the country suffered a devastating earthquake, providing temporary legal status to Nepalis while their homeland recovered. However, U.S. officials now believe Nepal has made significant progress in rebuilding, leading to the termination of TPS.
With the end of TPS, Nepali citizens in the U.S. who previously relied on this protection must explore alternative legal options or prepare for departure to Nepal. Many affected individuals face uncertainty about their future, as they must either apply for another visa or return home within the legal time frame. Immigration experts strongly recommend that Nepali TPS holders consult legal professionals to understand their rights and possibilities for staying in the U.S. under different immigration pathways.
This policy shift comes amid broader immigration changes affecting many groups in the United States. In addition to the TPS decision, Nepali students in the U.S. have encountered difficulties, as the government has suspended new student visa interviews. This has led to concerns among Nepali applicants, with some considering studying in alternative countries that provide more accessible visa processes.
While DHS emphasizes Nepal’s improvement in disaster recovery, advocacy groups argue that the country still faces economic and social challenges. Some community leaders and organizations in the U.S. are pushing for legal protections or extensions for Nepali TPS holders, citing ongoing hardships and the difficulty of returning after years of life in the U.S.
As the deadline approaches, impacted individuals are urged to review official guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for details on their next steps.
