Foreign workers in the United States will now face tighter conditions when renewing their work permits after the US Department of Homeland Security announced the end of automatic extensions for employment authorization documents. The interim final rule will take effect from Thursday October 30.
Under the new visa policy foreign workers will no longer be allowed to continue working if their renewal applications are still pending when their current permits expire. Until now they could continue working for up to 540 days during the renewal process. The change means that workers could lose authorization within a day of their current document expiring if their renewal is not approved in time. The DHS stated that an employment authorization document serves as proof that a person is allowed to work in the US for a specific period.
This shift will particularly impact workers from India who make up a significant share of the foreign workforce. Those on H1B visas who already face long waits for green cards as well as their spouses on H4 visas and students on STEM extensions are likely to be among the most affected. US Citizenship and Immigration Services currently takes three to twelve months to process such renewals based on available data. The agency has advised workers to apply for renewals around 180 days before their permits expire. The DHS also noted limited exceptions such as extensions granted under law for TPS related documentation and clarified that the rule will not affect employment authorization documents already extended before October 30 2025.
In a separate development Florida Governor Ron DeSantis directed universities in his state to prioritize hiring American citizens instead of relying on foreign workers on H1B visas. He said that “Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job…We will not tolerate H1B abuse in Florida institutions.” His office stated that while the visa is intended for highly specialized roles it is often used in jobs that could be filled by qualified Americans.
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