USCIS Reduces Validity Periods of Certain EADs

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period for certain categories of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Specifically, the validity period for initial and renewal EADs will be changed from 5 years back to 18 months for these categories:

• Aliens with pending applications for adjustment of status (I-485); 
• Aliens admitted as refugees;
• Aliens granted asylum;
• Aliens granted withholding of deportation or removal;
• Aliens with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal; and
• Aliens with pending applications for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.

This change affects EAD applications that are pending or filed on or after Dec. 5, 2025.  USCIS justifies the reduced validity periods as necessary for more frequent vetting of applicants to strengthen national security. This change comes a month after USCIS announced the end of Automatic Extension for Timely-Filed EAD Renewal Applications.

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