The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a significant change that affects employment authorization documents (EAD) for certain noncitizens in the United States. The new rule, which takes effect on January 13, 2025, extends the automatic extension period for EAD renewals from up to 180 days to up to 540 days. This measure aims to provide more stability for U.S. employers and improve access to work authorization for eligible individuals.

This adjustment comes as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to maintain a robust workforce in the U.S., with Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas stating, "Since January 2021, the American economy has created more than 16 million jobs, and the Department of Homeland Security is committed to helping businesses fill them." He added that increasing the extension period will reduce bureaucratic hurdles and support both employers and employees.

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou also emphasized the agency's commitment to easing immigration processes: “USCIS is committed to reducing unnecessary barriers and burdens in the immigration system to support our nation’s economy.” The final rule is intended to help prevent disruptions in employment due to delays in EAD renewal processing.

The new rule applies retroactively from May 4, 2022, allowing those with pending or timely filed renewal applications since that date to benefit from this change. In addition to this rule, USCIS has implemented various measures aimed at improving EAD processing times overall. These include reducing median processing times by half for adjustment of status applicants since fiscal year 2021 and cutting processing times for asylum applicants and certain parolees down to a median of 30 days or less.

Furthermore, USCIS has extended EAD validity periods for specific applicant categories from two years to five years and expanded online filing options for asylum seekers and parolees.

For further details on these changes, individuals are encouraged to visit DHS's Automatic Employment Authorization Document Extension page.