The End of EAD Automatic Renewals
November 4, 2025EAD holders who file to renew their EAD on or after Oct. 30, 2025 will no longer receive an automatic extension of their EAD. In recent history, EAD holders had work authorization for up to 540 days after their EAD expired with a timely filed receipt notice, assuming other criteria were met. Now, the policy reverts to zero days—meaning no automatic extension at all. Current processing times for EADs surpass the 6-month processing time window, meaning that even if EAD holders file for an extension as early as legally permissible, it is very unlikely that the new EAD will be approved before the current one expires. In plain speak, the employee will have a work gap of weeks to months.
What Employers Should Know:
Employers whose workforce uses Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will likely be affected. This will primarily made up of non-sponsored foreign national employees. For those petitions filed after October 31, 2025, the EAD holder’s employment authorization will end once the current card expires. This will seriously affect H-4 holders and those with pending I-485s. Employers should inspect your records and prepare for potential gap in workforce. This should not affect TPS holders, as those rules are separate and country-specific.
This was just announced with no notice on October 29, 2025. The interim final rule was officially published on October 30.