On September 27, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the maximum validity period of initial and renewal Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) were increased to 5 years for certain noncitizens including refugees and asylees, noncitizens paroled as refugees, noncitizens granted withholding of removal, noncitizens with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal, noncitizens with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245, and noncitizens seeking suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal.
This development would be crucial for the applicants as it provides greater stability and relief from the frequent renewal of EADs. Currently, EADs are issued for a maximum 2- or 1-year validity period, necessitating regular extensions.
The USCIS announcement also includes other clarifications, including that the Form I-94 can be used both as evidence of status and employment authorization for certain noncitizens who are employment authorized incident to status or circumstance.
This update is effective as of September 27, 2023, and applies to Applications for Employment Authorization that are pending or are filed on or after this date.
For more information, visit the USCIS website or call our office at 216.566-9908.
