The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a policy change that will significantly affect thousands of Indian professionals and their families working in the U.S. Starting October 30, 2025, automatic extensions for Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) will be eliminated. This means if a work permit renewal isn’t approved before the current one expires, the individual must stop working immediately.
Previously, foreign nationals could continue working for up to 540 days while their EAD renewal was pending. With the new rule, applicants are advised to apply for renewal at least 180 days ahead of their current expiration date, though even early applicants may face processing delays due to current wait times ranging from 3 to 12 months.
The change is expected to disproportionately impact Indian professionals, many of whom are stuck in long green card backlogs and rely on ongoing work permits. Those most affected include H-4 visa holders (spouses of H-1B workers), students on STEM OPT extensions, and pending green card applicants.
The Trump administration has defended this change as a national security move, emphasizing stricter vetting of employment eligibility. Exceptions to this rule are limited to individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or other specific legal authorizations.
Immigration experts warn this could lead to mass unemployment amongst skilled Indian workers, who risk not just their jobs but also legal visa status if work authorization is disrupted. With already extensive delays in the immigration system, this rule adds further uncertainty for Indian expatriates in the U.S.
