US ends 540-day automatic work permit extension for immigrants: What changes now

The Trump administration is ending the automatic renewal of work permits for some immigrants, further tightening America's immigration rules.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to issue a final rule re-affirming and codifying an interim final rule released earlier last year that ended the maximum 540-day automatic extension of employment authorization documents (EADs) for some foreigners.

The change means that applicants who filed their renewal applications on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension while their applications are pending.


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The rule, issued by USCIS, confirms an interim final rule published in October 2025, The Department of Homeland Security said the change would allow the government would allow the government to complete eligibilty checks, vetting and screening before granting continued employment authorization.

"Ending the practice of providing automatic extensions of EADs is consistent with Section 16 of President Trump's directive," DHS said in the final rule.

What is an EAD?

An EAD, also knows as a work permit, allows certain immigrants to work in the US for a specified period. Applicants who want to continue working after their document expires generally need to file a renewal application.

Earlier, eligible applicants could continue working for up to 540 days after their EAD expired if they had filed a timely renewal application. The new rule removes this automatic extension for renewal applications submitted on or after October 30, 2025.

Who will be affected?

The rule applies to employment categories whose EAD renewals depend of USCIS approval. If the USCIS does not process the renewal before the existing EAD expires, the applicant may lose employment authorization temporarily.

The rule does not cancel automatic renewals that were granted before October 30, 2025. It also does not affect extensions provided under law or through Federal Register notices, including certain employment documents linked to Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

DHS said employment authorization may also continue in cases where it is linked directly to an individual's immigration status. For example, an L-2 spouse will be able to continue working based on their valid L-2 status, even after the EAD card expires. However, they will not be able to use the expired the EAD card to prove that right, they would need other valid proof of their status, such as I-92 record showing L-2S classification.

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More time to vet and screen

DHS said the automatic extension allowed foreigners to continue working even before USCIS could complete a fresh eligibility review and related vetting.

The department said that the final rule would help ensure that the USCIS completes eligibility determinations, screening checks and reviews of potentially adverse information before granting a new period of employment authorization.

"Ending the practice of providing automatic extensions of EADs is consistent with the prioritization of public safety and national security," DHS said.

EAD lapses and employer costs

DHS has estimated that between 20,000 and 33,000 EDs could lapse during the 18-month period beginning May 2027. The estimate depends on future USCIS processing times, filing volumes and the timing of renewal applications.

The department estimates that the rule could end up in $238.1 million in lost productivity for employers unable to quickly replace workers whose EADs have lapsed. Employers could also face $312.1 million in labout turnover costs.

Around 1,700 to 2,800 employers could be affected, according to DHS estimates.

What applicants should know

DHS said applicants can reduce the risk of a work interruption by filing their renewal applications early and tracking USCIS processing times.

While the DHS acknowledged that the change could affect family income and create disruptions for employers, it said the need to complete vetting and confirm continued eligibility outweighed those effects.