USCIS released a significant policy update on Thursday, December 4th, 2025, which will reduce the validity period of Employment Authorization Documents(EAD) for several immigrant categories by 70%, from five years to 18 months. This will take effect for pending applications and applications filed on or after Dec. 5, 2025. This policy update reflects an increasing crackdown on work authorization, followed by the DHS’s elimination of automatic EAD Extension. The administration reasoned that the reduction is to enable frequent vetting of applicants for national security.
Who Does This Impact
The policy manual references the following immigration categories:
- Aliens admitted as refugees;
- Aliens granted asylum;
- Aliens granted withholding of deportation or removal;
- Aliens with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal;
- Aliens with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245; and
- Aliens with pending applications for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
Unlike previous years, filing a renewal application on time does NOT automatically extend your work authorization. If your current card expires before the new one is approved, you must stop working immediately.
Importantly, this impacts all applicants in both family and employment-based immigration categories with pending applications of adjustment of status. Applicants with pending green card applications will now need to renew their employment authorization documents more frequently, adding additional costs and paperwork.
How to Prepare
Legal experts are suggesting that, based on historical patterns, EAD backlogs will likely increase significantly, increasing the chances of lapses in work authorization. Thus, the above groups must file renewals as soon as possible to avoid gaps in employment. Additionally, prepare for the additional financial costs if multiple renewals are necessary.
Answers to Key Questions
- I already have a 5-year EAD. Is it still valid? – Yes, until it expires.
- Does this affect my Green Card application? – No, only the work permit.
- Can I pay for Premium Processing? (Address if this is an option for standard c(9) applicants—typically no, which adds to the urgency).