Will Green Card and H-1B Visa Holders Be Affected by 18-Month EAD Validity Limit?

USCIS has reduced the validity period for Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) to 18 months for several categories of foreign workers, effective from 5 December 2025. 

This policy change follows the agency's decision to end automatic extensions of work permits. The revised rules affect refugees, asylum seekers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and other individuals in similar categories. 

Spouses of entrepreneur parolees are also subject to the new limitations, with their EADs now valid for either the authorised parole period or one year, whichever is shorter. In contrast, certain groups, including lawful permanent residents and non-immigrant workers on H-1B, L-1B, O, or P visas, will not be impacted. 

These individuals do not require EADs to work, as their immigration status provides employment authorisation. The policy change is accompanied by the removal of automatic EAD extensions, which previously allowed foreign workers to continue employment for up to 540 days while awaiting renewal applications. 

Under the new rules, applicants must file for renewals within 180 days of their document's expiration to avoid employment gaps. Additionally, USCIS has introduced new filing fees for categories that were previously exempt. 

Asylum seekers, parolees, and TPS holders will now face a $550 fee for initial EAD applications and a $275 fee for renewals. Standard filing fees for other applicants remain at $470 for online submissions and $520 for paper applications.