U.S. Ends Automatic EAD Extensions After Policy Changes

The U.S. government has significantly changed the process for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) by eliminating automatic extensions following two major policy changes that took effect in 2025. An interim final rule from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) effective on October 30, 2025, ended the practice of automatically extending an expiring EAD when a timely Form I-765 renewal application is filed.

This means foreign nationals cannot rely on automatic work authorization while their renewal is pending unless specified by law or Federal Register notice. Additionally, the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Public Law 119-21, signed on July 4, 2025, further narrowed the circumstances for automatic extensions.

Foreign nationals who submitted a Form I-765 under eligible codes before October 30, 2025, may still qualify for an extension of up to 540 days. Employers must be aware of these new rules to avoid compliance issues during I-9 employment verification.