USCIS Resolves Work Permit Limbo by Extending Automatic Extensions

HI INDIA NEWS DESK

WASHINGTON, DC-  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced significant changes to the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents (EADs), offering relief to nearly 800,000 EAD renewal applicants and preventing a lapse in work authorization. Under the revised policy, automatic extensions will now extend up to 540 days, a substantial increase from the previous 180-day period.

According to USCIS estimates, this extension will prevent negative impacts on approximately 60,000 to 80,000 employers nationwide who would have been affected by the potential lapse in work authorization.

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou emphasized the importance of temporarily extending the automatic extension period to avoid interruptions in employment authorizations. Additionally, she highlighted that this temporary measure provides the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with an extended timeframe to gather public input and develop long-term solutions to ensure eligible noncitizens can maintain their employment authorization benefits.

The temporary final rule applies to all eligible EAD applicants with pending renewal applications filed on or after Oct. 27, 2023. Eligible applicants for the 540-day renewal period include those applying for asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and adjustment of status.