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ARTICLE · 12 DECEMBER 2025

EAD Validity Period Reduced For Certain Categories

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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On December 4, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance shortening validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

United StatesImmigration
Mark Koestler
Mark Koestler
Matthew S. Dunn
Matthew S. Dunn
Scott Gorski
Scott Gorski
Allison Gray
Allison Gray
Rohit Biswas
Rohit Biswas
Melissa Drennan
Melissa Drennan
Robert M. Jones
Robert M. Jones
Tatiana Kashuta
Tatiana Kashuta
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On December 4, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance shortening validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

Specifically, effective December 5, 2025, the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs for those with pending adjustment of status applications, i.e., category (c)(9), will decrease from five years to 18 months. Other affected categories include refugees, asylees, those who have or are applying for temporary protected status, and other humanitarian-related EAD categories. This change applies to EAD applications in the affected categories that are filed or pending on or after December 5, 2025. Importantly, the maximum validity period for F-1 and H-4 EADs was not affected by this policy update.

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