USCIS Announced an Increase in the Maximum Validity Period of Employment Authorization Documents for Certain Categories of Noncitizens from 2 to 5 Years

On September 27, 2023, USCIS announced that it will increase the maximum employment authorization document (EAD) validity period for “certain noncitizens who are employment authorized incident to status or circumstance” to five years. This five-year EAD validity period also applies to some “initial and renewal EADs for certain noncitizens who must apply for employment authorization”. Refugees, asylees, individuals granted withholding of removal, and those with pending asylum application or applications for adjustment of status (“green card”) under INA 245, are among the categories of noncitizens who will be issued EADs with a five-year validity period, according to the USCIS Policy Alert. USCIS stated that this change is aimed at reducing the number of employment authorization applications they receive in the coming years, which will hopefully help them reduce their processing times and backlogs.

Link:

USCIS Announcement: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-increases-employment-authorization-document-validity-period-for-certain-categories