Breaking: The federal government just cut the lifespan of work permits tied to green card cases, and removed the safety net that kept workers on the job while renewals were pending. The shift is immediate and sweeping. It touches hundreds of thousands of families, employers, and local economies across the country.
What changed, and when
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reduced the maximum validity of Employment Authorization Documents from five years to 18 months. The new cap applies to adjustment of status applicants who filed Form I-485, as well as asylees, refugees, withholding of removal applicants, and other humanitarian categories. The policy took effect on December 5, 2025.
In a separate move, the agency eliminated the automatic extension that once covered timely EAD renewals. That protection, which had reached up to 540 days, ended on October 30, 2025. There is no automatic time added to your expiring card anymore. If your card expires, your permission to work ends with it.
Officials say the changes are about security and more frequent vetting. They want more regular checks before people keep working. The result on the ground is more frequent filings and a real risk of work stoppage during processing.
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Why this matters for workers and employers
An EAD is often the bridge that keeps families afloat while green card cases move through backlogs. Cutting validity to 18 months means more renewals, more fees for many applicants, and more chances for delay. Ending automatic extensions means that a late approval can now shut down a paycheck.
Employers face new pressure too. Form I-9 reverification will happen more often. If a worker’s EAD expires and there is no fresh approval in hand, the person must stop working. That creates sudden staffing gaps and payroll stress. It also raises legal risk if companies mishandle reverification or overcorrect and discriminate.
Processing times are already uneven. In some cities, EAD renewals take months. Without an automatic extension, families can fall into a gap even when they filed on time and did everything right.
If your EAD expires before a new card is approved, you must stop working. There is no grace period. ⚠️
How to protect your job now
Here is what applicants and HR teams should do today.
- File renewals early. Aim to file 180 days before your card expires. Track your expiry date now.
- Ask for an expedite if you qualify. Severe financial loss to a person or company, urgent humanitarian need, or clear USCIS error can support it.
- Coordinate with HR. Plan I-9 reverification and schedule coverage in case of a gap.
- Keep clean records. Save receipts, notices, and delivery proof. If a pause happens, it helps restart quickly.
- Talk to counsel. Explore backup options, including other work-authorized statuses where possible.
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Set calendar alerts at 9, 6, and 4 months before EAD expiry. Use a simple checklist. ✅
What rights still apply
Workers keep protection from unfair documentary practices under federal anti-discrimination rules. Employers cannot demand a specific document if other valid proof is offered. They can, and must, verify that work authorization is current. Striking that balance matters.
Legal and policy fallout
Expect fast legal challenges. Advocates are preparing Administrative Procedure Act claims, arguing the agency acted in an arbitrary way and that the public was not given a fair chance to comment. Courts may be asked for temporary injunctions to restore automatic extensions while cases proceed.
Congressional oversight is likely. Lawmakers will press the agency on how it will prevent mass job loss, and on the data behind the change. Governors and city leaders are already signaling economic concerns. Hospitals, schools, and tech employers all rely on EAD holders who are in long green card queues.
The administration frames this as a vetting fix. That goal and economic stability can be balanced. Clear expedite rules, surge staffing at service centers, and targeted grace periods would ease the shock without giving up security reviews.
What to watch next
- Will USCIS issue a blanket 180 day interim policy to avoid mass gaps
- Do courts pause the elimination of automatic extensions
- Are extra adjudicators assigned to EAD units this quarter
- Does the agency publish processing time targets by category
If none of that happens soon, renewal bottlenecks will harden by spring, when the first wave of 18 month cards comes due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my EAD still work until the printed expiration date?
A: Yes. You can work through the last valid day on the card. After that day, you must have a new approval in hand.
Q: I filed to renew on time. Can I keep working while it is pending?
A: No automatic extension applies now. You need an approved, unexpired document to keep working.
Q: Who is affected by the 18 month cap?
A: Adjustment of status applicants, asylees, refugees, withholding of removal applicants, and other humanitarian categories named by USCIS.
Q: Can my employer accept a receipt notice instead of the new card?
A: A receipt notice alone is not enough for most categories after the policy change. Employers should follow Form I-9 rules closely.
Q: How fast should I file my renewal?
A: Target 180 days before expiration. Earlier filing gives room for delays and expedites if needed.
Conclusion: The work permit tied to many green card and humanitarian cases now lasts 18 months, and the auto extension is gone. The policy arrived fast, and its effects are already real. File early, plan with your employer, and watch for court orders that could shift the ground again. Lives and paychecks depend on what happens next.
