Workforce News 2025Dec12

Administration Continues to Tighten Rules on Work Permits

On December 4, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to its Policy Manual that will shorten the maximum validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), also called work permits, across several categories. Effective for applications pending or filed on or after December 5, 2025, the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs will revert from 5 years to 18 months for individuals admitted as refugees (A03), granted asylum (A05), granted withholding of deportation or removal (A10), or with pending applications for asylum (C08), adjustment of status (C09), or certain cancellation of removal provisions (C10). According to the administration, these changes are intended to increase the frequency of vetting and screening, which will help deter fraud and identify individuals who may pose security risks. For LeadingAge members employing foreign-born staff under these categories, shorter validity periods will mean more frequent renewals, adding administrative burden and increasing the risk of employment gaps if processing delays persist. This policy change comes on top of an Interim Final Rule published at the end of October that eliminated automatic extensions for EAD renewals in many categories, including those impacted by this policy change. Previously, renewal applicants received a 540-day extension to account for long USCIS processing times; that buffer is now gone. Together, these actions increase the likelihood of lapses in work authorization for affected employees. LeadingAge will continue to advocate for solutions that protect access to work permits for the aging services workforce. If you have questions or seek additional resources to help navigate these changes, please reach out to Amanda Mead.

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