Overview

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented major changes to Employment Authorization Document (EAD) policies. These updates end the automatic 540‑day extension for most EAD renewals and reduce the maximum EAD validity period to 18 months for certain categories, including adjustment of status applicants, asylum seekers and refugees.

End of Automatic EAD Extensions (Effective October 30, 2025)

The Interim Final Rule (IFR), published on October 30, 2025, immediately ended the long-time practice of automatically extending the validity of EADs for individuals who timely file renewal applications. The IFR did not impact the validity of EADs that were automatically extended prior to October 30, 2025, or EADs automatically extended by law or regulations.

Affected Categories

• Adjustment of Status Applicants (C09): Applicants with pending I‑485 applications.
• Asylum Applicants & Related Categories (C08, A03, A05): Pending asylum and refugee applicants, and those granted withholding of removal.
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Holders (A12, C19): Unless a Federal Register notice extends their designation and work authorization.
• Dependent H-4 Spouses: H‑4 (C26) even with an unexpired I-94.
• VAWA Self‑Petitioners (C31): Approved self‑petitioners and their children.

Not Affected

• F‑1 OPT/STEM OPT students: Continue to benefit from separate rules, including the 180‑day automatic STEM extension.
• E & L Spouses (Incident to Status): Authorized...

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