What’s Happening

On December 4, 2025, USCIS announced that the agency was updating its Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period for many Employment Authorization Document (EAD) categories from up to five years to just 18 months.

An EAD is a work permit issued by USCIS that allows a noncitizen to legally work in the United States for a specific period of time. It serves as proof to employers that the individual has permission to work pursuant to their current status or while their application for an immigration benefit is pending.