USCIS Reduces EAD Validity for Adjustment-of-Status Applicants to 18 Months
- Shan Potts
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
In a major shift for immigrants awaiting permanent residency, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the maximum validity period for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for many adjustment-of-status and humanitarian applicants — previously up to five years — will be cut down to 18 months.
The change takes effect from December 5, 2025 and applies to both new EADs and those renewing or pending as of that date.
Who Is Affected by the Change in EAD Validity?
The 18-month cap covers EADs issued based on:
pending or approved applications for adjustment of status (under INA § 245) — including those awaiting a green card.
individuals admitted as refugees or granted asylum
those granted withholding of deportation or removal
those with pending asylum or withholding of removal claims
individuals seeking suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under humanitarian laws such as NACARA.
Categories outside these humanitarian or AOS-based groups (for example certain non-immigrant visa holders, or EADs based on OPT/H-4) are not impacted by this reduction.
Why the Change Now?
USCIS cites increased national-security and fraud-prevention concerns as the primary reason for this rollback. Shortening the EAD validity period allows for more frequent vetting — including up-to-date background checks and biometrics — during long-pending immigration cases.
The previous five-year EAD policy, introduced in September 2023, was a response to long processing delays that had left many applicants in limbo.
But USCIS now says it is reversing that approach to permit more frequent review and reduce perceived security risks.
What This Means for Adjustment-of-Status Applicants
More frequent renewals
Adjustment-of-status applicants — many of whom rely on EADs while waiting for their green card — will now need to renew their work permit every 18 months instead of once every five years. This increases paperwork, filing costs, and planning burden.
Risk of employment gaps
Given persistent USCIS backlogs, more frequent renewals increase the risk of lapses in work authorization — especially if processing is delayed and employers must re-verify employment eligibility (e.g. via Form I-9).
Employers & recruiters must track EAD expirations
Employers hiring or retaining foreign-national workers will have to monitor EAD expiration dates carefully, re-verify eligibility more often, and potentially deal with turnover or compliance burdens.
Renew early and plan ahead
To avoid work interruptions, applicants should plan to file renewal applications as soon as they enter USCIS’s allowed 180-day window before expiry. Given shorter validity, this window will recur more often.
How to Respond & What You Should Do
Review your current EAD and check if it expires under the new 18-month timeline.
Set calendar reminders for renewals at least 4–6 months before expiry to allow enough processing time.
If you’re an employer: audit your workforce to identify employees with affected EADs, and implement a compliance plan for frequent I-9 reverifications and renewals.
Stay updated on further policy modifications — this change reflects a broader shift toward increased vetting for immigrants.
Final Thoughts
The decision by USCIS to reduce EAD validity for adjustment-of-status applicants to 18 months represents a significant shift for immigrants — particularly those relying on work authorization while awaiting their green card.
If you’re unsure how this policy affects your case, or if you want help planning timely EAD renewals, contact our immigration team today. We can help you avoid gaps in work authorization and stay compliant every step of the way.
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