The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented significant changes to the duration of work permits for non-citizens, including Nigerians, through a temporary and final rule (TFR).
Under this new rule, the automatic extension period for some Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) has been stretched from 180 days to a maximum of 540 days.
The primary aim of this move is to streamline access to work permits for eligible non-citizens and reduce disruptions in employment authorization while awaiting renewal application decisions.
Ur M. Jaddon, the Director of USCIS, emphasized the importance of this step in preventing lapses in employment authorizations and supporting long-term solutions. The extension to 540 days is poised to provide stability for individuals and employers, ensuring continuity in the workforce.
This initiative complements USCIS’s ongoing efforts to enhance access to employment for authorized individuals.
The extended duration applies to eligible applicants with pending EAD renewal applications filed timely or after October 7, 2023.
It is designed to protect approximately 800,000 EAD renewal applicants, including asylum seekers and Temporary Protected Status holders, along with their employers, potentially benefiting up to 800,000 employers.
