On October 14, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule, effective the same day, that ends the practice of automatically extending the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) (Forms I–766) for those who have timely filed an application to renew their EADs in certain work authorization categories.
The final rule adopts the interim final rule’s provisions without changes. Among other things, the final rule:
- Revises the regulations to clearly indicate that the up-to-540-day automatic extension period only applies to renewal EAD applications filed before October 30, 2025.
- Adds a new provision explaining that, unless otherwise provided in the regulations, law, or through a Federal Register notice for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)-related employment documentation, the validity period of an expired or expiring EAD and/or employment authorization will not be automatically extended by a renewal EAD application filed on or after October 30, 2025.
- Does not affect automatic extensions of EADs and/or work authorization otherwise provided by law or Federal Register notice, such as for certain TPS applicants.
