DHS Ends Automatic Work Permit Extensions: What Immigrants Need to Know

 

On October 29, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a sweeping change to DHS work permit extensions, ending automatic renewals for most Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applicants starting October 30, 2025. For years, immigrants who filed their work‑permit renewal applications on time automatically received up to 540 days of extra work authorization while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processed their case. Now that safety net is gone. This article explains what changed, who will feel the impact, and how ELR Immigration Lawyers can help you stay work‑authorized and compliant.

 

 

What Has Changed?

 

DHS’s new rule eliminates the automatic extension of most EADs. Previously, timely renewal applicants received a temporary extension of up to 540 days while USCIS completed background checks and issued the new card. Starting October 30, 2025, automatic extensions are no longer available to most categories of workers. Therefore, if your EAD expires before your renewal is approved, you must stop working until you receive the new card.

 

DHS says it ended automatic extensions to improve national‑security vetting. Officials cited a June 2025 incident in Colorado in which a person whose permit had been automatically extended was later found to be ineligible; the agency argues that ending extensions will ensure full security checks before a renewal is granted. Moreover, the rule reverses a 2024 policy that made the automatic extension permanent to reduce gaps caused by processing delays.

 

 

Who Is Affected?

 

Almost anyone who needs to renew an EAD is affected. This includes individuals with pending green‑card applications, H‑4 spouses, applicants under humanitarian programs, and many others. Once your current work permit expires, you cannot legally work until your renewal is approved. Employers are required to verify work authorization and may not keep employees on payroll without a valid card.

 

However, there are a few exceptions. The following groups still qualify for automatic extensions:

 

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders: People who hold TPS will continue to receive automatic extensions because those extensions are mandated by law.

 

• F‑1 students in STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT): Students using the 24‑month STEM OPT extension can still benefit from a 180‑day automatic extension.

 

• E‑3D and L‑2S dependent spouses: These categories remain authorized to work as long as their I‑94 record stays valid.

 

For everyone else, the days of automatic extensions are over.

 

 

Key Dates

 

• Filed before October 30, 2025: Applicants who filed their renewal before October 30 remain covered under the old rule and may receive up to a 540‑day automatic extension.

 

• Filed on or after October 30, 2025: No automatic extension will be issued. Applicants must wait for USCIS to approve the renewal before resuming work.

 

Because USCIS processing times can vary greatly—sometimes taking several months—filing close to your expiration date could leave you without work authorization for weeks or even longer. Unfortunately, USCIS has not offered a timeline for improving processing times under the new rule.

 

 

Impact on Workers and Employers

 

Ending automatic extensions has serious implications. Workers who would otherwise have kept their jobs while waiting for renewals now face the prospect of forced work stoppages if their EAD expires before USCIS approves their application. Consequently, this could result in lost income, benefits, and career momentum. Employers must verify employee work authorization; they cannot legally continue to employ someone whose EAD has expired. Companies reliant on foreign talent should prepare for possible staffing gaps as renewals take longer to process.

 

 

Practical Steps for Applicants

 

USCIS recommends several steps to minimize disruption:

 

• File early: Submit your EAD renewal as soon as the 180‑day window opens. Waiting too long increases the chance that your current permit will expire before the new one is approved.

 

• Check your expiration date: Know when your current EAD expires so you can plan accordingly and avoid gaps.

 

• Gather documents ahead of time: Prepare required forms, photos, and fees early to ensure your application is complete.

 

• Monitor processing times: Keep track of current USCIS processing times for Form I‑765 and build enough lead time into your plans.

 

• Explore backup options: Certain immigrants—such as refugees, asylees, or those with stamped I‑94 records—may have alternative proof of work authorization.

 

These proactive steps won’t replace the automatic extension, but they can reduce the chance of a lapse in your ability to work.

 

 

How ELR Immigration Lawyers Can Help

 

At ELR, we understand how disruptive this rule change can be. Our experienced attorneys guide clients through every stage of the renewal process to minimize delays and help them maintain work eligibility. Specifically, we can:

 

• Review your eligibility: Determine whether you qualify for any remaining automatic‑extension categories or alternative forms of work authorization.

 

• Prepare and file your renewal quickly: Our team ensures that applications are complete, accurate, and filed at the earliest permissible time to avoid lapses.

 

• Monitor your case: We track your application with USCIS and communicate with the agency if your case experiences unusual delays.

 

• Advise on contingency plans: If you are at risk of losing work authorization, we can advise on other visa categories, humanitarian options, or timing strategies to help you stay in status.

 

Schedule Your Consultation Today

 

Don’t let the end of automatic EAD extensions derail your career. Contact ELR Immigration Lawyers for a personalized plan to keep your future on track and protect your ability to work legally in the United States. You can reach us 24/7 at (818) 900‑5707 or through our website.