Bad news for Indians: US ends automatic extension of work permits for migrants

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced an interim final rule to stop the automatic extension of Employment Authorisation Documents (EAD) of migrant workers, a move that is likely to impact several Indians included in the expat workforce.

“Aliens who file to renew their EAD on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension of their EAD. There are limited exceptions to this rule, including extensions provided by law or through a Federal Register notice for TPS-related employment documentation,” read the DHS statement.

Ending automatic extensions of EADs result in more frequent vetting of aliens who apply for employment authorisation to work in the United States. Reviewing an alien’s background more often will enable US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent so they can be processed for removal from the United States, as per DHS.

“USCIS is placing a renewed emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting, eliminating policies the former administration implemented that prioritized aliens’ convenience ahead of Americans’ safety and security,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. 

“It’s a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorization or documentation is extended. All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”

USCIS has recommended foreigners to seek a timely renewal of their EAD by properly filing a renewal application up to 180 days before their EAD expires. “The longer an alien waits to file an EAD renewal application, the more likely it is that they may experience a temporary lapse in their employment authorization or documentation,” they said.

Notably, the interim final rule does not affect EADs automatically extended before October 30, 2025.