USCIS announced that, beginning December 5, 2025, it will shorten the validity periods of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for several categories, including refugees, asylees, asylum applicants, and individuals with pending adjustment of status or cancellation of removal applications.
Many applicants are already consulting an immigration lawyer in Miami to understand how these changes might affect their renewals and their ability to maintain uninterrupted employment in the United States.
Starting December 5, any EAD issued—whether an initial card or a renewal—will be subject to the reduced validity periods. This includes applications pending on that date or filed afterward.
Who is affected?
The new rules apply to individuals with EADs under:
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Refugees (A03)
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Asylees (A05)
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Individuals granted withholding of removal (A10)
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Asylum applicants with pending cases (C08)
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Adjustment of status applicants with pending cases (C09)
- Cancellation of removal applicants with pending cases (C09)
EADs issued before this date retain their original validity.
This change means applicants will need to renew their work permits more frequently, increasing costs, paperwork, and the likelihood of processing delays. USCIS expects larger backlogs and a higher risk of work-authorization gaps, particularly after the recent elimination of the automatic EAD extension rule.
To avoid employment interruptions, applicants should file renewals as early as possible. An immigration lawyer in Miami can help determine the ideal filing time and strategies to minimize risks during processing.