USCIS Extends Automatic EAD Extension Period to 540 Days

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Key Takeaways:

USCIS extends EAD automatic extension to 540 days, aiding asylees, TPS seekers, and green card applicants, preventing lapses.
USCIS enhances EAD processing, reducing delays, and offering extended validity, to streamline work authorization for noncitizens.
USCIS seeks public input on the extended EAD policy for future improvements, ensuring efficient immigration processes for all stakeholders.

In the realm of immigration and employment in the United States, obtaining and renewing Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) is a critical stepping stone for noncitizens seeking to join the workforce. With recent changes announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there is a significant update affecting EADs that promises to streamline work permit access and mitigate disruptions in employment authorization. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest USCIS automatic extension policy for certain EAD categories.

What Has Changed in the EAD Automatic Extension Policy?

USCIS Extends Automatic EAD Extension Period to 540 Days

USCIS has taken a bold step by temporarily extending the automatic extension period for certain Employment Authorization Documents. Previously capped at up to 180 days, the extension period has been increased to up to 540 days. This temporary final rule (TFR), announced on April 4, 2024, is part of USCIS’s ongoing efforts to improve the accessibility of work permits for eligible noncitizens and ensure continuity of operations for U.S. employers.

The decision comes in light of USCIS’s substantial modernization endeavors, which have considerably reduced processing times for EAD applications over the past year. Despite these improvements, the volume of employment authorization applications reached an all-time high, challenging renewal mechanisms. USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou explained, “Temporarily lengthening the existing automatic extension up to 540 days will avoid lapses in employment authorizations.”

Who Benefits from the Extended USCIS Automatic Extension?

This extended USCIS automatic extension benefits:
– Asylees or asylum applicants
– Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants or recipients
– Green card applicants

Notably, without this measure, approximately 800,000 EAD renewal applicants would face the risk of experiencing a lapse in their employment authorization, and an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 employers would be adversely affected.

How Has USCIS Improved Employment Authorization Processes?

USCIS has made several strategic moves to streamline the EAD process, including:
– Halving the EAD processing times for individuals with pending green card applications since FY2021
– Processing a record number of EAD applications in the past year
– Expediting the processing time for EADs for asylum applicants and certain parolees to 30 days or less
– Extending the validity period for certain EAD categories from 2 to 5 years
– Expanding online filing for asylum applications and parolees

These efforts underscore USCIS’s commitment to making the EAD process as efficient as possible for work-authorized individuals.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you are an eligible applicant who timely and properly filed an EAD renewal application on or after October 27, 2023, and your application is still pending as of the rule’s publication in the Federal Register, you qualify for this temporary extension. This provision also applies to those who file their Form I-765 application during the 540-day period beginning with the rule’s publication.

Why Is USCIS Seeking Public Feedback?

Alongside implementing this temporary measure, USCIS is actively soliciting feedback from the public. This call for comments aims to gather insights that could inform potential future regulatory actions. It’s an opportunity for the community to contribute to the shaping of policies that directly affect their lives and the efficiency of the U.S. immigration system.

Final Thoughts

The extension of the automatic EAD renewal period to 540 days marks a significant move by USCIS to support noncitizens in maintaining uninterrupted work authorization in the U.S. By addressing the challenges of increased application volumes and processing delays, USCIS reinforces its commitment to improving the experiences of both noncitizen workers and U.S. employers. For more information on this and other related topics, visit the official USCIS website.

This milestone not only benefits hundreds of thousands of work-authorized individuals by preventing potential lapses in employment but also ensures that U.S. employers continue to operate without disruption. As the landscape of U.S. immigration continues to evolve, staying informed about such critical updates is crucial for noncitizens navigating their path to employment in the United States.

This Article In A Nutshell:

USCIS has extended the automatic EAD renewal to 540 days, aiding asylees, TPS applicants, and green card hopefuls. Strategic improvements cut processing times and update validity periods. If you filed an application since October 2023, you qualify for the extension. Public feedback is sought to enhance future regulations and U.S. immigration efficiency.
— By VisaVerge.com