US ends automatic work permit extensions for migrant workers, impacting thousands of Indians

Work permit rules tightened again

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will no longer automatically extend Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) for migrant workers, a decision expected to affect thousands of foreign employees — particularly Indians, who form a large share of the US expat workforce.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Department said, “Aliens who file to renew their EAD on or after Oct. 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension of their EAD.” However, work permits that were automatically extended before this date will remain valid.

The DHS explained that the new rule is aimed at strengthening “vetting and screening to protect public safety and national security,” reflecting the Trump administration’s emphasis on stricter immigration enforcement.

This move overturns a Biden-era policy that allowed immigrants to continue working for up to 540 days after their permits expired, provided they filed timely renewal applications and met eligibility criteria. These included matching their current EAD category with the one listed on their renewal receipt notice.

The Department clarified that “limited exceptions” would still apply, such as extensions granted under specific laws or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) notifications.

According to officials, the shift means migrant workers’ backgrounds will be reviewed more frequently, which the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) believes will help “deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent.”

Calling the move a “common sense” step, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said, “Working in the US is a privilege, not a right.”

The agency urged immigrants to file renewal applications up to 180 days before their EADs expire to avoid job disruptions. “The longer an alien waits to file an EAD renewal application, the more likely it is that they may experience a temporary lapse in their employment authorisation or documentation,” the DHS statement read.

An EAD (Form I-766) allows non-citizens to legally work in the US for a fixed period. However, Green Card holders and non-immigrant visa workers such as those on H-1B, L-1B, O, or P visas do not require this document.