U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is tightening its screening process for immigrants authorized to work in the United States by reducing how long certain Employment Authorization Documents remain valid. The agency announced on December 4 that it has updated its Policy Manual to shorten maximum validity periods for several categories of applicants, citing the need for more frequent vetting.
Officials say the move is aimed at improving fraud detection and identifying individuals who may pose security risks.
“The reduced maximum validity periods for certain categories will result in more frequent vetting of aliens who apply for authorization to work in the United States,” the agency said in the update. “Vetting an alien more often will enable USCIS to deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent so they can be processed for removal from the United States.”
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the policy change is driven in part by recent security concerns. “Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorization will ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies. After the attack on National Guard service members in our nation’s capital by an alien who was admitted into this country by the previous administration, it’s even more clear that USCIS must conduct frequent vetting of aliens,” he said.
Under the updated guidance, the maximum validity period for initial and renewal work permits drops from five years back to 18 months for several groups, including:
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Refugees admitted to the U.S.
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Individuals granted asylum
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Individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal
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People with pending asylum or withholding applications
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Applicants with pending adjustment of status under INA 245
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Applicants with pending cases for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under NACARA
The change applies to any employment authorization application pending or filed on or after Dec. 5, 2025.
Additional changes required by H.R. 1 — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025 — also take effect. For individuals paroled as refugees, granted Temporary Protected Status, granted parole, with pending TPS applications, or spouses of entrepreneur parolees, work permits will now be valid for one year or until the end of their parole or TPS period, whichever is shorter. These rules apply to any Form I-765 pending or filed on or after July 22, 2025.
More information on work authorization applications is available on the USCIS Employment Authorization Document webpage.
