The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule ending automatic extensions of employment authorization for many workers seeking to renew their Employment Authorization Documents.
The final rule, issued October 14, adopted without change DHS’ 2025 interim final rule.
Under the rule, which finalizes the policy in effect since October 30, 2025, eligible renewal applications filed on or after that date will not receive the previous automatic extension of up to 540 days. Applications filed before that date remain subject to the prior rules. The change does not affect extensions provided by law or applicable Federal Register notices, including some TPS-related extensions.
For workers whose employment authorization depends on an EAD, timely filing for renewal generally will not authorize continued employment after the current EAD expires. Unless another basis for employment authorization applies, an employee whose renewal remains pending when their EAD expires will face a work interruption. Therefore, employers should encourage affected employees to renew as early as possible.
Click here to read more from the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC), our affiliated nonprofit membership association.