The United States government is set to end the automatic renewal of work permits for migrants beginning October 30, 2025, as part of a broader effort to strengthen background checks and national security measures.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the new policy will require holders of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to wait until their renewal applications are fully processed before their work permits can be extended. The automatic 540-day extension policy introduced under the Biden administration will no longer apply.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow said the change aims to ensure that every applicant undergoes thorough vetting before receiving continued authorization to work in the country. “Working in the United States is a privilege, not a right,” Edlow stated, emphasizing that the government is restoring a “commonsense” process that prioritizes Americans’ safety over administrative convenience.
The new rule, largely reflecting a return to Trump-era immigration policies, seeks to close potential loopholes that previously allowed individuals to continue working before full background checks were completed. DHS officials explained that the updated process will improve fraud detection and help identify security threats more effectively.
There will be limited exemptions, such as for individuals under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or other cases specifically authorized by law or Federal Register notices.
USCIS has advised non-citizens to submit renewal requests as early as 180 days before their current work permits expire to prevent employment gaps once automatic renewals end. The agency clarified that EADs already extended before the October 2025 deadline will not be affected by the change.
