Permanent Increase of the Automatic Extension

DHS announced a final rule effective Jan. 13, 2025, permanently increasing the automatic extension period for certain EAD renewals from 180 to 540 days for eligible noncitizens with timely filed applications. This change reduces employment gaps, supports U.S. businesses, and strengthens the economy. The rule aligns with USCIS’s efforts to reduce EAD processing times, streamline adjudication, and enhance workforce stability, benefiting both employers and eligible workers. It applies retroactively to renewal applications filed on or after May 4, 2022.