In a huge shift in US immigration policy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has chosen to terminate automatically extending Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) for some noncitizens who seek renewals. The new regulation, effective as of October 30, 2025, may affect many Indian workers residing in the United States in a considerable manner.
New Policy for Work Permit in US Explained
Under the new rule, immigrants who seek to renew their work permits will no longer be automatically granted extensions of their EADs except where such extensions are specifically provided for under law or given under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provisions noted in the Federal Register.
The DHS stated that with this move, national security is enhanced and every applicant is made to undergo an entire background check prior to renewal of their employment authorization.
Emphasis on Checking and Security
“USCIS is putting renewed focus on strong alien screening and vetting, eradicating policies that the previous administration put in place that favored aliens’ convenience over Americans’ safety and security,” USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated in a public release.
He said, “It’s a matter of common sense to provide assurance that proper vetting and screening has been done before the employment authorisation or documentation of an alien is extended. All aliens should keep in mind that employment in the United States is a privilege and not a right.”
Work Permit Policy Shifts from Biden-Era Rule
This is a sharp departure from the Biden administration 2022 policy that permitted automatic extensions of up to 540 days of EAD for some renewal applicants. That previous regulation was meant to stop job loss as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) addressed huge backlogs of processing.
But DHS now contends that stopping automatic extensions will permit more frequent screening of immigrants, allowing law enforcement to catch fraud or find people who may be security threats.
Advisory for Immigrants
The agency has urged immigrants to submit renewal applications at least 180 days before their current work permit expires. DHS officials warned that late applications could cause temporary gaps in work authorization, leaving some immigrants unable to work legally until their renewals are processed.
