USCIS increased the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to five years for certain applicants. The change will take effect immediately and applies to certain first-time EADs as well as renewals. The five-year maximum will apply to EADs linked to adjustment of status under INA 245 and specific humanitarian categories, such as applicants for asylum or withholding of removal, and suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal. They will also apply to I-765 forms that are filed or pending on or after September 27, 2023. The change is expected to reduce case backlogs and processing times by decreasing the frequency with which applicants will need to renew their EADs.
