Thousands of foreign workers in the United States, including many Indians, may face uncertainty over their right to work as the US government has decided to stop the automatic extension of Employment Authorisation Documents from this week.
The change was announced by the Department of Homeland Security and takes effect from October 30.
“Aliens who file to renew their EAD on or after Oct. 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension of their EAD. There are limited exceptions to this rule, including extensions provided by law or through a Federal Register notice for TPS-related employment documentation,” a news release from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services read.
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“Ending automatic extensions of EADs results in more frequent vetting of aliens who apply for employment authorization to work in the United States. Reviewing an alien’s background more often will enable U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent so they can be processed for removal from the United States,” it added.
The move reverses a policy introduced under the Biden administration, which had allowed immigrants to continue working for up to 540 days after their permits expired, provided they had applied for renewal on time and belonged to eligible categories. The Trump administration, now back in office, says the new process will bring more control and reduce misuse of the system.
“USCIS is placing a renewed emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting, eliminating policies the former administration implemented that prioritized aliens’ convenience ahead of Americans’ safety and security,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “It’s a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorization or documentation is extended. All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”
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Immigrants are being advised to file for renewals at least 180 days before their current EAD expires to avoid any gap in their work authorisation. Missing that timeline could mean a temporary loss of the right to work until the new document is approved.
An EAD, officially called Form I-766, is proof that a person is allowed to work legally in the United States for a fixed period. Permanent residents, who already have Green Cards, do not need it. Nor do foreign nationals holding specific visas such as H-1B, L-1B, O, or P.
The announcement comes amid several other immigration-related policy shifts in recent weeks. Earlier in September, the Trump administration raised the H-1B visa fee sharply to USD 100,000, saying it would ensure that only highly skilled workers are brought into the country.
The new fee does not apply to individuals already living in the US and changing their visa status, such as students moving from an F-1 to an H-1B visa.
DeSantis’ crackdown on H-1B abuse
Adding to the tougher stance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has directed universities to stop hiring foreign workers through the H-1B route and instead give preference to American citizens.
“Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. That’s why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this practice.”
