US Ends Automatic Work Permit Extensions: Indian Professionals Face Major Setback:

In a major policy shift, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially ended the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) — a move that could disrupt the lives and livelihoods of thousands of foreign professionals, particularly Indian workers in the United States. Effective October 30, 2025, this new rule means that anyone applying to renew their work permit will lose authorization to work the day after their current EAD expires, unless their renewal has already been approved. Until now, most workers were allowed to continue working for up to 540 days while their renewal was being processed. What Has Changed Under the previous rule, employees with pending EAD renewals could continue working legally as long as their applications were filed before the existing permit expired. The grace period — introduced during the pandemic — allowed for work continuity despite lengthy USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) processing times, which currently range from three to twelve months. The new DHS rule eliminates this safety net. From now on, any worker whose renewal is not approved in time will have to stop working immediately once their current EAD expires. This change affects a wide range of visa holders, including: H-4 visa holders, who are spouses of H-1B workers, F-1 students on STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) extensions, Green card applicants awaiting adjustment of status, and Other noncitizens who rely on temporary work authorization. Impact on Indian Professionals The change is expected to hit Indian professionals especially hard. Indians make up a large portion of the US’s skilled immigrant community, many of whom are caught in decades-long green card backlogs. During this waiting period, they must continuously renew their work permits to stay employed. “This rule represents a major shift in how employment authorization renewals are handled in the US,” said Henry Lindpere, Senior Counsel for Immigration Law at Manifest Law. “Starting tomorrow, almost everyone will lose work authorization if their renewal isn’t approved before their current card expires.” For H-4 spouses of H-1B holders, many of whom are highly educated women working in tech and healthcare, this could mean months of unemployment and uncertainty while waiting for USCIS to approve their renewals. DHS Justifies the Move In its statement, DHS said the decision was based on national security concerns and the need for “robust alien screening and vetting.” “Working in the United States is a privilege, not a right,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. He added that the department aims to eliminate policies that “prioritized aliens’ convenience ahead of Americans’ safety and security.” The administration also bypassed the standard public comment period, citing “good cause” due to national security risks. The rule references a June 2025 attack in Boulder, Colorado, allegedly carried out by an asylum applicant whose work permit had been automatically extended under the previous policy. What Workers Should Do Now USCIS is urging all foreign workers to file their EAD renewals up to 180 days before expiration to avoid lapses in employment authorization. “The longer an alien waits to file a renewal, the more likely it is that they may experience a temporary lapse,” the agency said. Immigration lawyers advise affected workers to plan renewals early, monitor processing times closely, and prepare contingency plans for potential gaps in employment. Employers are also being advised to communicate these changes to their foreign staff to prevent compliance issues. A Tougher Road Ahead For many Indian families in the US, this rule change adds yet another layer of uncertainty. Between green card delays, visa caps, and long USCIS processing times, the elimination of automatic EAD extensions could leave thousands suddenly without jobs — and without income — despite having lived and worked in the US legally for years. “This policy makes it even harder for legal immigrants who are already contributing to the American economy,” one H-4 visa holder said. “We’re being punished for delays that aren’t even in our control.” As the new rule takes effect, the message is clear: foreign professionals must now plan far ahead — because in the new system, even a few days’ delay could mean months without work.

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