Updating Certain Employment Authorization Document Validity Periods

Key changes

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update the maximum validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs, Form I-766) for certain EAD categories. This guidance becomes effective December 5, 2025.
• Updates the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs from 5 years to 18 months for those admitted as refugees, granted asylum, granted withholding of deportation or removal, for those with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal, those with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245, and for those with pending applications for suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal.6
• Updates the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs for those paroled as refugees from the end date of the authorized parole period, not to exceed 5 years, to the end date of the authorized parole period or 1 year, whichever is shorter.7
• Updates the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs for parolees from the end date of the authorized parole period to the end date of the authorized parole period or 1 year, whichever is shorter.8
• Updates the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs for those who have or are applying for temporary protected status, from the length of the alien’s temporary protected status or any TPS renewals or extensions, to the length of temporary protected status or any TPS renewals or extensions, or 1 year, whichever is shorter.9
• Updates the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs for spouses of an entrepreneur parolee from the end date of the authorized parole period to the end date of the authorized parole period or 1 year, whichever is shorter.10