The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on December 4, 2025 announced changes to its Policy Manual that will shorten the maximum validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), also called work permits, across several categories.

Effective for applications pending or filed on or after December 5,  the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs will revert from 5 years to 18 months for individuals admitted as refugees (A03), granted asylum (A05), granted withholding of deportation or removal (A10), or with pending applications for asylum (C08), adjustment of status (C09), or certain cancellation of removal provisions (C10).

Importantly, the policy change does not apply retroactively, so individuals already holding a 5-year work authorization will retain the expiration date on their current EAD.

The December 5 policy change follows the October 30 publication of an Interim Final Rule that eliminated automatic extensions for EAD renewals in many categories, including those impacted by this policy change.

According to the administration, these latest changes are intended to increase the frequency of vetting and screening, which will help deter fraud and identify individuals who may pose security risks.

For LeadingAge members employing foreign-born staff under these categories, shorter validity periods will mean more frequent renewals, adding administrative burden and increasing the risk of employment gaps if processing delays persist.

This latest change, coupled with the October action, increases the likelihood of lapses in work authorization for affected employees. LeadingAge will continue to advocate for solutions that protect access to work permits for the aging services workforce.

If you have questions or seek additional resources to help navigate these changes, please reach out to Amanda Mead.