The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ended the automatic extension of Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) for renewal applications filed on or after October 30.
The rule affects several categories of foreign workers including H-4 visa holders and spouses of certain H-1B visa holders.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advised applicants to renew their EADs up to 180 days before expiry to avoid job interruptions.
Previously, foreign workers could keep working for up to 540 days after EAD expiry if their renewal was filed on time. Under the new policy, that grace period has been abolished and work must stop once the current EAD expires.
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The DHS said this move will strengthen background checks and fraud detection. Renewals filed before October 30 will still qualify under the old rules.
This development follows other recent steps taken by US authorities to tighten immigration and visa rules, including a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B petitions introduced in September.
