USCIS Increases Automatic Extension Of Certain Employment Authorization Documents To 540 Days

On April 8, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a temporary final rule (TFR) that increases the automatic extension period for eligible employment authorization document (EAD) applications from 180 days to 540 days beyond the current EAD expiration date. The TFR's 540-day automatic extension applies to pending EAD extension applications filed on or after Oct. 27, 2023, and to EAD extension applications filed between April 8, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025. The TFR will remain effective until Sept. 20, 2027, thereby ensuring a full 540-day auto-extension period for EAD applications filed through Sept. 30, 2025.

This TFR aligns with ongoing USCIS efforts to support employment authorized individuals' access to work while the agency processes a record high number of pending EAD applications. According to USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou, "Temporarily lengthening the existing automatic extension up to 540 days will avoid lapses in employment