Overview
- Renewal applications filed on or after Oct. 30, 2025 no longer receive automatic extensions, while renewals filed earlier keep prior protections.
- Limited exceptions remain, including STEM OPT’s 180‑day extension and TPS-based extensions authorized by statute or Federal Register notices.
- Employees whose EADs expire before a new card is issued must stop working, and an approval notice or receipt does not suffice for Form I‑9 reverification.
- Impacted categories include C09 (pending adjustment) and C26 (certain H‑4 spouses), whereas lawful permanent residents and workers authorized incident to status (e.g., H‑1B) are unaffected.
- USCIS urges filing renewals up to 180 days in advance; employers are advised to audit expiring EADs, track I‑9 reverifications, and plan for gaps as the interim rule proceeds through a 30‑day comment period that could lead to changes.