USCIS has implemented this change to help bridge gaps in employment authorization that have become spurred by lengthy processing delays.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced this week that they are increasing the automatic extension timeframe for employment authorization documents (EADs) from 180 to 540 days. This EAD automatic extension applies to immigration status categories such as asylees, refugees, TPS holders, and spouses in H-4, E and L status with an unexpired I-94.  For the full list of eligible categories please check out the USCIS website at: https://www.uscis.gov/eadautoextend.

USCIS has implemented this change to help bridge gaps in employment authorization that have become more and more common during the past few years as a result of lengthening processing timelines. While this increased extension will undoubtedly help EAD applicants stay employment authorized for longer, we hope to see USCIS also dedicate resources to hiring additional staff so that case processing times can speed up and renewed EADs can be promptly issued.