H-1B and green card holders unaffected as US ends automatic EAD extensions for foreign workers

The rules around the US work permit, officially called the Employment Authorization Document, have changed. The US has ended the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for foreign workers who apply to renew their EAD in certain employment authorization categories.

DHS announced an interim final rule, effective October 30, 2025, ending the practice of automatically extending the validity of EADs for foreign workers. The renewal process should initiate within 180 days of the expiry of the EAD and not 540 days as allowed earlier.