The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has enacted a change in the duration of work permits for foreign nationals, including Nigerians, through a Temporary and Final Rule (TFR). Under the updated regulation, certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will now be eligible for an extended automatic extension period, stretching from the previous 180 days to a maximum of 540 days.
This adjustment aims to streamline the process of obtaining work permits for qualified non-citizens and reduce disruptions in employment authorization during the renewal application waiting period. USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddon highlighted the importance of this change in preventing gaps in work permits and promoting long-term solutions.
Extending the validity period to 540 days aims to provide stability for both workers and employers while ensuring consistency in the labor force. This decision aligns with USCIS’s ongoing efforts to improve employment prospects for authorized individuals.
The extended timeframe applies to eligible individuals who have timely submitted EAD renewal requests on or after October 7, 2023. This measure is expected to benefit approximately 800,000 EAD renewal applicants, including asylum seekers and Temporary Protected Status holders, as well as potentially aiding up to 800,000 employers.
Source: MSN
