Government Ends Automatic EAD Extensions — What That Means for You and How to Stay Ahead

The government has announced that it will no longer automatically extend work permits (EADs) while renewal applications are pending. For years, workers who filed timely renewals were protected from job loss by automatic extensions that allowed them to keep working for up to 540 days after their card expired. That protection is ending.

This change means that workers will now lose the ability to continue working unless they receive their renewed EAD before the old one expires. For countless families, employers, and industries, that’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a major disruption.

Why This Policy Makes No Sense

Ending automatic extensions ignores the simple fact that USCIS processing times remain unpredictable and, in many cases, painfully slow. Many applicants wait months for renewals that should take weeks. By removing the automatic extension, the government is punishing individuals who did everything right: they filed on time, paid the fee, and waited patiently.

The stated purpose of this change, to “increase security and efficiency”, doesn’t hold up in practice. People affected by this change have already passed background checks and established their eligibility for employment authorization. The only effect this rule will have is to create chaos for law-abiding immigrants and employers who depend on them.

This change also undermines workforce stability. Employers will face difficult choices when employees lose work authorization through no fault of their own, and families will face unnecessary loss of income. At a time when the U.S. economy depends on immigrant labor more than ever, the decision to eliminate automatic extensions is shortsighted and counterproductive.

Best Practices to Avoid Delays or Work Gaps

The best way to protect yourself under these new rules is to plan ahead.

• File early. Renewal applications can generally be filed up to 180 days before expiration—take advantage of that window.

• Track your dates. Keep a calendar of expiration and filing dates, and confirm that USCIS has issued a receipt notice.

• Keep documentation organized. Maintain copies of all prior EADs, I-94s, and notices of action.

• Coordinate with your employer. Employers should understand that automatic extensions are gone and that timely re-verification of work authorization is critical.

• Work with your attorney early. Your legal team can help identify alternative solutions if processing times threaten your ability to work, such as exploring premium processing or alternate visa categories.

  
  

How Our Firm Is Protecting Clients

At Katsivalis & Anderson Law, we’re not waiting for clients to feel the impact of these delays. We’re implementing early alerts for all clients with upcoming EAD expirations, sending reminders well before the six-month filing window opens, and prioritizing EAD renewals to minimize the risk of work gaps.

Before every renewal filing, we confirm your ongoing eligibility and confirm that there If your case begins to experience unusual processing delays, we prepare requests for expedited handling when appropriate and guide you through contingency planning with your employer.

We are also helping employers adjust to this change by updating compliance procedures and preparing explanatory memos they can use for HR documentation. Our goal is to make sure that no employee loses work authorization because of preventable delays.

The Bottom Line

This new policy serves no practical purpose, and it will cause real harm to workers and employers alike. But with careful planning and proactive management, it is possible to stay ahead of the change.

If your work permit is set to expire soon—or if you employ workers with EADs—now is the time to prepare. Contact Katsivalis & Anderson Law to review your case and put a plan in place to protect your right to work.