If you have an Employment Authorization Document (also known as a work permit or EAD) in the United States, you may have noticed that the rules have been changing a lot lately.
Over the past year, the government has made several updates to how work permits work, including changes to validity periods, filing fees, renewal timing, and automatic extensions. These changes affect immigrants in several categories, including asylum applicants, people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), parolees, adjustment applicants, and others.
Understandably, this has created confusion for many immigrants. So what has changed?
Shorter Validity Periods
In recent years, the government expanded the validity of many work permits to up to five years. However, USCIS has now reduced the maximum validity period for several categories back to 18 months.
This affects categories such as pending asylum applicants (c)(8), adjustment of status applicants (c)(9), and some refugees and humanitarian categories.
As a result, work permits are expiring much sooner than before, and immigrants will need to renew them more often. Planning is key in this case to hopefully avoid gaps in employment.
Automatic Extensions
For several years, certain immigrants who filed a timely renewal of their work permit could receive an automatic extension of their work authorization while their application was pending.
Originally, this extension lasted 180 days, and during the pandemic, it was temporarily increased to up to 540 days to address long processing delays.
However, a new rule that took effect on October 30, 2025, eliminated the automatic extension for most renewal applications filed on or after that date.
Some limited exceptions may still exist for certain categories, but many immigrants should not rely on automatic extensions anymore. As such, many people can no longer keep working after their EAD expires while waiting for a renewal. If your card expires before the new one is approved, you may have to stop working temporarily. Therefore, filing early is now more important than ever.
Filing Fee Changes
Another major change involves new or higher filing fees for Form I-765. For several humanitarian categories, the government introduced new fees that did not exist before.
For example, initial work permit (EAD) for asylum applicants, parolees, or TPS applicants are about $550, and renewal of these work permits is at least $275.
Previously, many asylum applicants were able to apply for their first work permit for free, but that is no longer the case.
In addition, some fees increased again in 2026 due to inflation adjustments, meaning applicants must check the latest USCIS fee schedule before filing.
With increased fees and shorter validity periods, having a valid authorization can become quite costly.
Renewal Periods
Because automatic extensions have changed and work permits may be valid for shorter periods, filing early is critical.
Applicants may file their renewal up to one year before their current work permit expires.
In the past, we recommended filing about 120–180 days before expiration, but due to the recent policy changes and processing delays, filing much earlier may now be safer.
Processing Times Can Still Vary
Even with the changes above, USCIS processing times can still vary widely depending on the category. Some applications may take several months or longer.
Because automatic extensions are no longer guaranteed, delays can lead to gaps in work authorization, meaning someone may have to stop working until their new card arrives. Planning ahead is key.
Practical Tips for Protecting Your Work Authorization
Here are a few simple steps that can help protect your ability to work:
- Track your expiration date: Know exactly when your work permit expires.
- Talk to an immigration professional early: Don’t wait until the last minute.
- File renewals as early as possible: Many people can now file up to 1 year before expiration.
- Budget for filing fees: Some work permits that were previously free now have filing fees.
- Stay informed: Immigration policies can change quickly.
Final Thoughts
Work permits are incredibly important for many immigrants and their families. The recent changes can make the process feel more stressful and confusing.
The good news is that planning ahead and filing early can help you avoid many common problems.
If you have questions about your work permit, renewal timing, or immigration options, speaking with an experienced immigration attorney can help you understand the best path forward.