DHS Announces Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Burma (Myanmar)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not extending the Burma (Myanmar) Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, but will provide a 60-day transition period, according to a Federal Register notice scheduled to be published November 25. The Burma TPS designation expires on November 25, 2025, but beneficiaries will be granted a transition period through January 26, 2026, and will remain work-authorized throughout the transition period.

According to the Federal Register notice, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that the conditions for a TPS designation no longer exist for Burma and that extending TPS for Burma would be contrary to U.S. national interests.

Burma was initially designated for TPS in May 2021, and the designation was most recently extended in March 2024 for an 18-month period, from May 26, 2024 to November 25, 2025.

DHS recognizes that TPS beneficiaries under the Burma designation continue to be employment-authorized during the 60-day transition period. Accordingly, through the Federal Register notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain EADs previously issued under the designation, through January 26, 2026.

As proof of continued employment authorization for the 60-day transition period, Burma TPS beneficiaries can present an EAD that has the notation A-12 or C-19 under “Category” and a “Card Expires” date of November 25, 2022; May 25, 2024; or November 25, 2025.

Employers will need to reverify the employment eligibility of impacted employees who presented Burma TPS EADs as proof of work authorization, and update their records to indicate the new January 26, 2026 expiration date.