KATHMANDU: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepal, ending a humanitarian program that has allowed thousands of Nepalis to live and work legally in the US since the 2015 earthquake.

According to a Federal Register notice published on Thursday, the TPS designation for Nepal will officially end at 11:59 PM on August 5, 2025. The decision was made following a review of current country conditions and interagency consultations.

The DHS concluded that Nepal no longer meets the statutory criteria required for TPS, which is granted to nationals of countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

The DHS has advised Nepali nationals currently under TPS to prepare for repatriation if they do not have another lawful basis for remaining in the US. DHS noted that individuals can use the CBP One mobile application to facilitate departure planning.

With the termination date set for August 5, 2025, TPS beneficiaries from Nepal have 60 days now to make preparations. Individuals are encouraged to consult immigration attorneys or accredited representatives to explore possible options, such as applying for asylum, employment-based visas, or family-based adjustments of status.

TPS was first granted to Nepal in June 2015, following a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people, injured tens of thousands, and displaced over 3 million. The country’s infrastructure, public health system, and economy were severely impacted.

The TPS program allowed an estimated 9,000 Nepali nationals to live and work legally in the US, shielding them from deportation and enabling them to send vital remittances back home. The designation had been extended multiple times due to slow recovery, political instability and ongoing humanitarian concerns in Nepal.

In 2018, the Trump administration attempted to terminate TPS for Nepal, prompting legal challenges and a court-ordered stay. The Biden administration later paused those efforts, allowing beneficiaries to remain while conducting a broader policy review.

The termination has sparked concern among immigration advocates, lawmakers and members of the Nepali diaspora in the U.S., who argue that conditions in Nepal still remain fragile. They point to the ongoing economic challenges, political uncertainty and the country’s struggle with climate-related disasters as reasons to maintain the designation.