The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an update to its Policy Manual, extending the maximum validity period of initial and renewal Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to five years for certain noncitizens. This applies to those authorized to work due to their status or circumstance, such as refugees and asylum grantees, and to individuals who must apply for employment authorization, including those seeking adjustment of status under INA 245. The updated guidance aims to significantly reduce the renewal applications of Form I-765, thereby decreasing processing times and backlogs. However, maintaining employment authorization is still contingent on the individual’s underlying status and circumstances. The update also clarifies the employment authorization of certain Afghan and Ukrainian parolees and provides detailed information on presenting Form I-94 as proof of employment authorization.
Policy Alert link: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20230927-EmploymentAuthorizationValidity.pdf