Maximum Validity Period of Employment Authorization Documents Reduced to 18 Months

USCIS announced it is reducing the maximum validity period for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

According to the updated policy manual, the maximum validity period for initial EADs and renewals will be reduced to 18 months, as was the case in September 2023 before it was increased to 5 years. The following groups are affected by the policy change:

• Asylees,
• Refugees,
• Foreign nationals granted withholding of removal or deportation,
• Those with pending asylum or withholding of removal applications,
• Those with pending Adjustment of Status Applications,
• Those with pending applications for suspension of deportation (Nicaraguan Act and Central American Relief Act).

The validity period for Temporary Protected Status EADs will be one year or the duration of their TPS, whichever date is sooner. This applies to those granted TPS and those with pending TPS applications.

The validity period for EADs for paroled individuals will be either one year, or the end date of their authorized parole period, whichever date is sooner. This applies to those paroled as refugees, those granted parole, and spouses of entrepreneur paroles.

USCIS is reducing the maximum validity period of EADs to allow for more frequent screening and vetting, and to ensure continued compliance with US law. All applications for employment authorization pending or filed on or after tomorrow, December 5, are subject to this change.