The Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule that permanently increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) that will become effective on Jan. 13, 2025.

Key Points:

  • The final rule permanently increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents available to certain EAD renewal applicants from up to 180 days to up to 540 days.
  • The final rule will continue to help prevent eligible renewal EAD applicants from experiencing a lapse in employment authorization and/or the validity of their EAD due to lengthy processing times.
  • The final rule will become effective on Jan. 13, 2025, and will apply to certain timely filed renewal EAD applications pending or filed on or after May 4, 2022.

Additional Information: More details on the DHS December 2024 announcement can be found here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.