DHS Ends Automatic EAD Extensions Effective October 2025

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule ending the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for most noncitizens who file renewal applications.

DHS Ends Automatic EAD Extensions Effective October 2025

Starting October 30, 2025, renewal applicants will no longer receive automatic extensions while waiting for approval, except in limited cases such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS). DHS says the change will allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to conduct more frequent vetting to deter fraud and identify potential security risks.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated the policy “ensures appropriate vetting and screening before extending employment authorization,” emphasizing that working in the U.S. “is a privilege, not a right.”

Noncitizens are urged to file renewal applications up to 180 days before expiration to avoid gaps in work authorization. EADs already extended before October 30, 2025, will not be affected.