U.S. Cuts Work Permit Validity to 18 Months, Raising Anxiety Among Green Card Applicants

Green Card Applicants Alarmed As US Cuts Employment Authorisation Validity To Just 18 Months

A Major Policy Shift That Reshapes Work Authorization

The United States has moved to sharply reduce the validity of Employment Authorization Documents, commonly known as EADs, from the previous three to five years down to just 18 months.

The change arrived in early December 2025 and immediately triggered strong reactions from immigrants, employers, and immigration advocates.

USCIS explained the shift as part of a broader effort to tighten vetting and maintain more frequent security checks. The new validity period applies to nearly all categories that previously benefited from long-term work authorization, including asylum seekers, refugees, individuals under humanitarian programs, and applicants with pending green card cases.

The result is clear: shorter stability for workers, more paperwork, and higher risk of employment interruptions.

Who Faces the Biggest Impact

The policy affects a wide range of immigrants who rely on EADs to legally work in the U.S. The most affected groups include:

• Green card applicants waiting for adjustment of status.

• Asylum seekers and refugees who depend on EADs while their cases remain unresolved.

• Humanitarian programs such as Temporary Protected Status or deferred action categories.

• Employers in sectors that rely heavily on immigrant labor.

For green card applicants, many of whom already face multi-year waits due to backlogs and visa limits, the reduction feels like a setback. Instead of enjoying a multi-year buffer, they must now plan for renewals nearly twice as often.

Why the U.S. Government Made the Change

According to USCIS reasoning, the shorter validity period aligns with enhanced security goals. The agency says more frequent renewals make it easier to catch identity changes, screen for criminal activity, and prevent misuse of work authorization.

The adjustment followed heightened public debate around immigration enforcement and a push for stricter monitoring. Officials argue that long EAD validity periods created gaps where non-citizens could remain authorized to work without updated screening.

The new rule reflects a clear policy direction: steady tightening of immigration control and increased emphasis on security-based vetting.

What This Means for Immigrants and Their Employers

1. More Renewals and Higher Administrative Burden

An 18-month validity period means constant paperwork. Applicants will need to begin renewal preparations almost as soon as their current card is issued. For many, that adds financial strain, given the filing fees and potential legal assistance costs.

2. Greater Risk of Losing Work Authorization

Processing times for EADs have been inconsistent across categories. When renewals lag beyond expected timelines, workers risk falling out of authorized employment, even if the delay is not their fault. This can disrupt careers, delay benefits, and force employers to suspend workers temporarily.

3. Rising Pressure on Employers

Companies must monitor expiration dates more closely and verify that employees remain authorized to work. Industries dependent on immigrant labor could face staffing gaps, delayed projects, and increased HR workload.

4. Uncertainty for Families Navigating Long Immigration Queues

For families already caught in immigration backlogs, the rule adds another layer of stress. The need to renew more often increases the chance of paperwork errors or missed deadlines, and it injects instability into already long waits for permanent residency.

A Shift Consistent With Broader Immigration Trends

The United States has tightened several immigration measures throughout 2025. Earlier changes included limiting automatic extensions for EAD renewals, increasing in-person interviews for certain applicants, and imposing stricter evidence requirements for humanitarian categories.

The shortening of EAD validity fits within this pattern of increased monitoring. While the government frames these policies as security enhancements, immigrant communities view them as additional obstacles placed on long-term integration and stability.

How Immigrants Can Adapt to the New EAD Rules

Start the renewal process early

Given unpredictable processing times, applicants should file renewals as soon as allowed. Planning ahead reduces the risk of falling out of work authorization.

Maintain complete documentation

Missing or outdated documents can delay renewals. Keeping updated copies of identification, filing receipts, and immigration paperwork is now more important than ever.

Communicate with employers

Proactive communication helps prevent misunderstandings and allows HR teams to plan around potential delays.

Review alternative immigration strategies

Depending on eligibility, some applicants may consider employer-sponsored visas, family-based pathways, or humanitarian programs that provide more stable status options.

Monitor official announcements

Rules can shift quickly, and staying informed ensures applicants do not miss changes to deadlines or renewal procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When did the 18-month EAD validity rule take effect?

The rule took effect in early December 2025 and applies to both new and pending applications.

2. Does this affect existing EADs already issued for several years?

No. Cards already issued with longer validity remain valid, but future renewals will follow the new 18-month limit.

3. Are all immigrant categories impacted?

Most humanitarian and adjustment-of-status categories are affected. Certain employment-based visas with work authorization tied directly to the visa, not an EAD, remain unchanged.

4. Can the new policy increase the risk of losing employment?

Yes. If renewals are delayed and no automatic extension applies, applicants may temporarily lose the right to work until the new EAD is approved.

5. How can employers prepare?

Employers should update compliance systems, track expiration dates, and support workers in navigating the new renewal schedule.

Conclusion

The decision to reduce work permit validity to 18 months marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. While intended to tighten security, it introduces new challenges for immigrants who rely on EADs to maintain stable employment and support their families. As processing timelines remain unpredictable and immigration backlogs persist, the shorter validity period adds pressure to a system already stretched thin.

For thousands waiting for green cards, the path forward will require careful planning, stronger communication with employers, and close attention to policy updates. Stability may be harder to achieve, but preparation will be key to staying ahead of the changes.