USCIS Shortens Employment Authorization Document Validity
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change: the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will now be cut from five years to 18 months.
On Thursday, the agency clarified that these new, shortened work permit durations will allow for more regular background checks on noncitizens working in the U.S. This, they argue, could help in identifying potential fraud and security threats while also enhancing public safety.
Commissioner Joseph Edlow mentioned in a statement that, “Lowering the maximum employment authorization period will ensure that those wanting to work here do not pose a threat to public safety or propagate harmful ideologies against America.” He highlighted that recent events, specifically a troubling attack on National Guard members in the capital by a foreign national, further emphasized the importance of ongoing evaluations of foreign nationals by Immigration and Immigration Services.
This policy shift returns to the earlier 18-month limit for various categories and replaces the extended five-year period introduced earlier this year.
The new restrictions will affect refugees, individuals granted asylum, and those given deportation stays. It also applies to foreign nationals who are in the process of seeking asylum or facing deportation, and even those changing their immigration status. The rules are applicable for people pursuing suspension of deportation or receiving relief through established humanitarian programs.
Notably, the shorter EAD validity period will apply to employment authorization applications that are pending or submitted after December 5, 2025. USCIS emphasizes that this adjustment is designed to reevaluate applicants whose immigration situations are still not resolved.
Additionally, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act recently signed by President Trump, new restrictions have come into play for certain parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) categories. This limits work permit validity to just one year, or until the end of the parole or TPS term, whichever occurs first. This also covers refugees paroled into the country, those granted TPS, and individuals with pending TPS requests.
Moreover, the one-year regulation extends to other parole groups, which involve spouses of individuals granted entrepreneur parole. USCIS will enforce these requirements for new work permit applications that are pending or submitted after July 22, 2025.
