Entering the United States with a valid visa is only the first step of the immigration process. There are times when someone may enter the United States with a valid visa, file for an extension, and then not hear back from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their visa expires. In this situation, it can be quite nerve-wracking to figure out what to do next. However, there are steps you can take that will make navigating this process much easier, so read on to learn how to avoid ever saying, “Help, my visa expired! Now what?”

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration status granted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to individuals of certain countries who are in the United States because they are unable to return to their home country, or conditions in the home country make it unable to handle the return of nationals. Generally, TPS is granted to citizens of countries involved in an ongoing conflict, or who have experienced a significant environmental or natural disaster.

With both visas, you must demonstrate proof that you have a bona fide relationship. With a fiancé(e) visa, you must get married in the United States, whereas a K-3 spouse visa or CR-1/IR-1 marriage visas you must have been married outside the country.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. This notice provides information about how to register for TPS under Afghanistan’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Afghanistan for TPS.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. This notice provides information about how to register for TPS under Afghanistan’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Afghanistan for TPS.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. This notice provides information about how to register for TPS under Afghanistan’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Afghanistan for TPS.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. This notice provides information about how to register for TPS under Afghanistan’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Afghanistan for TPS.

The Department of Homeland Security has posted a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) notice for Cameroon in the Federal Register . This notice provides information on how to register for TPS as part of the Cameroon designation. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced Cameroon's 18-month TPS designation .

Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur M. Jaddou and agency leadership participated in a virtual public engagement with nearly 2,000 stakeholders nationwide to discuss the agency’s efforts to reduce backlogs and improve processing times.