US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will shorten the maximum validity period for work permit, also known as Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from five years to 18 months under a policy change that the agency says will increase the frequency of security reviews for noncitizens working in the United States.
The agency announced that the revised time limits will require more regular vetting of individuals who hold authorization to work while their immigration cases move through the system.
USCIS Cites Need for More Frequent Background Checks
FUSCIS said the updated policy is intended to support additional security reviews and identity verification. FOX News cites that Officials stated that shorter renewal intervals will help identify fraud, detect security threats and remove individuals who pose risks.
Director Joseph Edlow said the change is intended to ensure continuous oversight of those seeking work authorization. “Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorization will ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies,” he said.
Edlow referenced a recent attack involving National Guard members, stating that it underscored the agency’s need for “frequent vetting of aliens.”
Return to Prior Limits Across Multiple Immigration Categories
The policy restores the earlier 18-month limit that applied before USCIS extended many EAD categories to five years in 2023. The shortened validity period will apply to a broad set of immigration groups.
The limit covers individuals who have been granted asylum, refugees and those granted withholding of deportation or removal. It also applies to applicants with pending requests for asylum or withholding of removal.
Non-citizens who have pending applications for adjustment of status are included under the policy, along with individuals pursuing suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal or certain humanitarian forms of relief. USCIS said the shorter timeframes will ensure that cases under long-term review receive regular evaluation.
The agency confirmed that the restored 18-month maximum will apply to any employment authorization request pending or filed on or after December 5th, 2025.
Additional Restrictions Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The agency outlined separate requirements mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law earlier this year. Those provisions establish a one-year EAD limit for certain parole programs and for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) categories. Work permits in these groups will expire after one year or at the end of the individual’s parole or TPS period, whichever occurs first.
The one-year limit applies to individuals paroled as refugees, TPS beneficiaries and applicants with pending TPS requests. It also applies to other parole groups, including spouses of entrepreneurs paroled under the International Parole Program. That program allows foreign entrepreneurs to request temporary permission to remain in the U.S. while building a business.
USCIS said the one-year restrictions will apply to any affected work-authorization application pending or filed on or after July 22nd, 2025.
USCIS Says Shorter Validity Periods Will Support Ongoing Review
In its announcement, USCIS said the overall change is meant to ensure consistent review of applicants whose immigration matters remain unresolved for extended periods. The agency stated that more frequent renewals will provide additional opportunities to verify eligibility and identify individuals who may no longer qualify for work authorization.
Read also: Trump launches biggest environmental rollback in US history
