In a major shake-up of immigration policy, the U.S. authorities have announced the discontinuation of automatic extensions for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for foreign nationals. This decision, following an earlier increase in H1B visa fees to a staggering $100,000, is set to significantly affect a substantial number of immigrants and workers, particularly those from India.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed the change on October 29, 2025, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing the “proper screening and vetting of aliens [foreigners]” before extending their work authorizations. This means that individuals filing to renew their EADs on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer benefit from the automatic extension previously in place.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow articulated the rationale behind the policy, stating, “It’s a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorization or documentation is extended. All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.” This shift mandates more frequent and thorough vetting of all foreign nationals seeking to work in the United States.
Those primarily affected by this decision include the spouses of certain H-1B, L, and E nonimmigrants, as well as foreign nationals holding Refugee or Asylee status. The DHS has advised these individuals to seek timely renewal of their EADs by properly submitting their renewal applications up to 180 days before their current permits expire. It is important to note that the interim final rule does not retroactively affect EADs that were automatically extended prior to October 30, 2025.
Under the previous administration, foreign nationals who submitted a timely Form I-765 for EAD renewal would receive an automatic 540-day extension. This new policy marks a departure from that practice, aligning with a broader trend of tightening immigration controls.
Earlier, on September 19, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that dramatically raised the annual fee for H1-B visas. Given that the United States was home to approximately 4.8 million Indian Americans as of 2022, with 66% being immigrants, these evolving policies are expected to have a considerable impact on the Indian immigrant community and the wider foreign workforce.