U.S. Ends Automatic Renewal Of Work Permits: Impact On Indian Employees

Government Makes Policy Revision

The American government led by President Donald Trump has made the decision to end automatic renewals of work permits for immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security made the announcement that immigrants filing to renew their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) on or after October 30 will no longer receive automatic extensions. Those who filed renewal applications prior to this date will be left intact.

As DHS reports, this shift is set to safeguard public safety and national interests. Thousands of foreign workers, including a significant number of Indians residing in the United States, are affected by the decision.

End of the 540-Day Extension Policy

Under the Biden administration, immigrants were allowed to work up to 540 days beyond the expiration of their work permits while awaiting renewal. The Trump administration's new policy puts an end to that practice.
Immigrants were urged early on by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials to apply for renewals ahead of time. USCIS encourages applications to be filed no later than 180 days before the date of expiration to prevent loss of temporary work authorization.
USCIS Director Joseph noted that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right, for immigrants.

Learning about the Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

An Employment Authorization Document or EAD is a formal card that verifies an individual's eligibility to work in the United States for a specified period. It is issued to some non-citizens who don't have permanent residence or certain types of visas.

Who Requires an EAD:
- People expecting approval for a green card
- Spouses and kids of green card applicants
- Students holding F-1 or M-1 visas for work
- Dependents of some non-immigrant visa holders
Who Doesn't Need an EAD:
- Green card holders (lawful permanent residents)
- Non-immigrants in work visas like H-1B, L-1B, O, or P