Indians in US: 540-Day Automatic Work Permit from January

Effective January 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will implement a significant change to the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal process, particularly benefiting Indian nationals. This change extends the automatic work permit renewal period from 180 days to up to 540 days for certain applicants.

Key Details:

• Eligibility: The extension applies to individuals who have applied for the renewal of their EAD on or after May 4, 2022, and whose applications are still pending.
• Affected Visa Holders: This change primarily benefits spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders, many of whom are Indian nationals.
• Impact: The extension aims to prevent work interruptions due to processing delays, providing greater job stability and financial security for eligible individuals and their families.

Implications:

• For Applicants: Eligible individuals will experience a more seamless continuation of employment authorization, reducing the risk of employment gaps during the renewal process.
• For Employers: This change ensures that businesses can retain skilled workers without the administrative burden of managing employment gaps for these employees.

This policy adjustment reflects the U.S. government's commitment to supporting the workforce and addressing challenges related to application backlogs.