USCIS Increases Automatic Extension of Certain EADs

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents (EADs) to 540 days.

The purpose of the extension is to avoid a lapse in employment authorization and documentation for noncitizens with work authorization while waiting for USCIS to adjudicate their pending renewal applications. It also provides the Department of Homeland Security with time to consider long-term solutions by soliciting public comments and identifying new strategies to ensure those noncitizens eligible for employment authorization can maintain that benefit.

The temporary measure will apply to eligible applicants who timely and properly filed an EAD renewal on or after October 27, 2023, if the application is still pending on April 8, 2024. The temporary final rule will also apply to eligible EAD renewal applicants who timely and properly file their Form I-765 application during a 540-day period that begins on April 8, 2024.

Individuals covered by the extension include green card applicants, spouses of H1B recipients, workers granted Temporary Protected Status, and asylum seekers. The extension does not apply to applicants seeking initial approval.

For more information on the extended automatic extension period, check out the USCIS news release.