USCIS Increases Automatic Extension Period for Employment Authorization Documents

On May 3, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a new rule that increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), available to certain EAD renewal applicants, to up to 540 days. The increase, which was effective immediately on May 4, 2022, will help avoid gaps in employment for non-citizens with pending EAD renewal applications and stabilize the continuity of operations for U.S. employers.

This new rule applies only to those EAD categories currently eligible for an automatic up to 180-day extension, will temporarily provide up to 360 days of additional automatic extension time (for a total of up to 540 days) to eligible applicants with a timely-filed Form I-765 renewal application pending during the 18-month period after publication of the rule while USCIS continues to work through pending caseloads that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact us today to learn if you are eligible for an automatic EAD extension.