EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DURATION: CHANGES

USCIS to increase the amount of time a grant of employment authorization is valid for applicants seeking adjustment of status under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

When an applicant applies for adjustment of status, he or she may also apply for employment authorization so that the applicant may work in the United States while waiting for a decision on the adjustment application.

Currently, USCIS issues adjustment applicants Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that are valid for 1 year.

However, in the interest of reducing the burden on both the agency and the public, because the current median processing time for certain adjustment of status applications is close to or greater than 1 year, USCIS will now issue initial and renewal EADs [under INA 245] to adjustment applicants that are valid for 2 years.

Replacement EADs will not be affected by this update; USCIS will continue to issue replacement EADs with the same validity dates as the original EAD.

Source: USCIS.GOV