USCIS increased the maximum validity period to 5 years for initial and renewal Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to noncitizens with certain Category codes on their EADs (work cards). USCIS previously provided 2-year and 1-year validity periods for certain EADs.
The categories included in this change are
- admitted as refugees
- paroled as refugees,
- granted asylum
- granted withholding of removal.
- pending applicants for asylum or withholding of removal (c8)
- pending adjustment of status under Ina 245
- pending cancellation of removal
The purpose of increasing the maximum EAD validity period to 5 years is intended to significantly reduce the number of new Forms I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and to reduce backlogs.
