US Cuts Work-Permit Validity to 18 Months: What Green Card Applicants and Employers Need to Know

The United States has introduced a major immigration policy shift, reducing the validity of work permits for several categories of immigrants. This change directly affects refugees, asylees, employment-based green card applicants, and family-based applicants waiting for approval. The decision has caused significant concern among Indian immigrants in the US and employers who rely on stable workforce authorization.

What Exactly Has Changed in the New USCIS Policy?

Under the new rule, the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) drops from five years to just 18 months. This applies to several groups, including:

Refugees and asylees
Adjustment-of-status applicants (I-485)
Investors under the EB-5 (I-526) program
Parents and spouses of US citizens
Employment-based green card applicants with approved I-140 petitions

This shift is part of the Trump administration’s push for increased screening and tighter immigration controls.

Why Has the US Reduced Work-Permit Validity?

USCIS said the shorter validity period helps enable more frequent security checks. The agency argues this will allow officers to:

Identify applicants who may pose a safety risk
Detect fraudulent filings
Review cases more frequently
Ensure only eligible individuals continue working in the US

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the move is necessary to prevent threats and ensure that “working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”

What Additional Measures Has USCIS Introduced?

Alongside the reduction in EAD validity, USCIS also announced:

A specialized security-review unit in Atlanta
A stronger system to screen individuals with criminal records
Increased checks on applicants from countries listed in the travel ban
A re-review of approvals granted since 2021 for certain nationalities

These steps are meant to tighten oversight of immigrants who may pose potential security risks.

How Does This Decision Impact Indian Immigrants in the US?

Indian applicants are among the most affected due to long employment-based green card backlogs. Immigration attorneys warn that the new rule could create significant disruption for:

EB-5 Investors and Their Families

Investors waiting for I-526 approval may now need repeated renewals to maintain work authorization.

Spouses and Parents of US Citizens

Family-based adjustment applicants may face longer gaps between EAD renewals and final green card approvals.

Indian Employees with Approved I-140 Petitions

This group is most vulnerable. Thousands of professionals, especially on H-1B visas, rely on their EAD and Advance Parole combo cards to work while awaiting green card decisions.

Immigration attorneys say many will now need to file renewal requests months earlier to avoid lapses.

What Does This Mean for H-1B Workers Adjusting Status?

For H-1B holders applying for permanent residency, the situation becomes more complicated:

EAD renewals can only be filed 180 days before expiry
USCIS processing times often exceed 6 to 12 months
Automatic work authorization for pending renewals was recently eliminated

This creates a situation where applicants could fall out of lawful employment simply because their renewal is delayed.

Will Employers Suffer Because of This New Policy?

Yes. Employers across the US could face:

Project delays due to employees losing work authorization
Higher compliance and documentation costs
Disruptions in staffing for critical positions
Reduced stability in long-term workforce planning

Tech companies, consulting firms, and healthcare employers are expected to see some of the biggest impacts.

Will USCIS Backlogs Get Worse?

Most likely.

Attorneys say the policy reverses earlier efforts that extended validity to five years to reduce workload. Shorter validity means more frequent filings, which USCIS is already struggling to process.

Case completion rates in 2025 are still lower than during the previous administration, and shifting resources toward enforcement creates further delays. As backlogs grow, more immigrants risk losing jobs simply because their EAD is stuck in processing.

What Should Affected Immigrants Do Now?

Here are the most practical steps:

File EAD Renewals at the Earliest Eligible Date

Submit the renewal exactly 180 days before expiry to minimize risk.

Track USCIS Policy Updates Regularly

More changes are expected in humanitarian and employment-based immigration.

Consult an Immigration Attorney for Strategy

Especially if you rely solely on an EAD to remain employed.

Maintain Your Underlying Non-Immigrant Visa (If Possible)

Holding a valid H-1B or L-1 may ensure employment continuity if your EAD lapses.

Final Takeaway

The reduction of work-permit validity from five years to 18 months marks one of the most impactful immigration changes in recent years. While the government frames it as a security measure, the practical outcome is heightened anxiety among applicants and employers, increased paperwork, slower processing times, and greater uncertainty for those already stuck in long backlogs.

For thousands of Indian green card hopefuls, this change adds another hurdle in an already complex process.

FAQs

1. Why did the US cut work-permit validity from five years to 18 months?

The government said shorter permits allow more frequent background checks. USCIS believes this helps them track potential security risks and reduce fraud. The change is part of a broader effort to tighten screening for certain immigrant groups.

2. Who is most affected by the new 18-month work-permit rule?

The rule affects refugees, asylees, employment-based green card applicants, EB-5 investors, and family-based applicants waiting for adjustment of status. Many Indian tech workers with approved I-140 petitions are expected to feel the impact the most.

3. Will this policy affect H-1B visa holders?

H-1B workers are not directly affected because their work authorization is tied to their visa status. The issue arises only if they file for adjustment of status and start relying on an EAD and Advance Parole instead of their H-1B visa.

4. Can EAD renewal delays cause job loss?

Yes. Since renewals can be filed only 180 days before expiry and processing often takes longer, applicants may face gaps without valid work authorization. Employers cannot legally allow employees to work during this period, which puts jobs at risk.

5. Are USCIS processing delays expected to increase after this policy change?

Most likely. Reducing EAD validity creates more frequent filings, adding pressure to an already slow system. Attorneys expect backlogs to grow, which may further delay renewals and other immigration petitions.

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