The United States government has announced the end of automatic work permit extensions for foreign workers, marking another significant policy shift weeks after raising annual H-1B visa fees to $100,000. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the change will take effect on October 30, 2025, and will impact thousands of Indian professionals, as well as other immigrant workers currently employed across the country.
The DHS stated that the move is aimed at reinforcing its “screening and vetting” process before extending Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Under the new rule, individuals who apply to renew their EADs on or after the effective date will no longer be granted an automatic extension while their applications are pending.
“This is a common sense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorisation or documentation is extended,” said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow. “Working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”
The policy will apply to multiple visa categories, including dependents of H-1B, L, and E visa holders, as well as individuals with asylum or refugee status. Foreign workers are now being advised to file renewal applications up to 180 days before their current work permits expire to avoid lapses in employment eligibility.
DHS also confirmed that EADs already renewed before October 30, 2025, will remain valid under the previous automatic extension policy.
The decision effectively reverses a key policy introduced under President Joe Biden’s administration, which allowed applicants to receive a 540-day automatic extension upon timely submission of Form I-765. The rollback is part of a broader tightening of immigration measures under President Donald Trump’s administration, which earlier this year increased the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 per year.
Indian nationals are among the largest groups affected by such changes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Indian American population stood at around 4.8 million in 2022, with nearly two-thirds being immigrants. Many of them rely on H-1B or related visa categories to work in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and engineering.
The move adds uncertainty for thousands of skilled workers and families already navigating longer processing times and stricter visa requirements in the United States.
