U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an important update for immigrant workers in the U.S. On May 3, 2022, the agency confirmed a temporary rule allowing some immigrants to continue using their expired work permits for an extra 18 months. This change aims to support hundreds of thousands of immigrants waiting for work permit renewals and provide relief for employers facing labor shortages.
Why This Change is Happening
The extension is part of a larger plan to address the massive backlog of work permit applications, which has been a challenge for years. Currently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is managing a backlog of 1.5 million work permit applications. To help ease this issue, the new Temporary Final Rule will take effect on May 4, 2022.
How the Rule Works
Work permits (also called Employment Authorization Documents or EADs) are typically valid for two years. Before this rule, immigrants waiting for a renewal could get an automatic extension of 180 days, allowing them to work legally during the processing period.
The new rule increases this automatic extension by an additional 360 days, bringing the total extension period to 540 days. This gives applicants more time to work without interruptions while USCIS catches up with its workload.
Official Statement
USCIS Director Ur Jaddou acknowledged the urgency of the issue, calling the previous 180-day extension “clearly insufficient.” In a statement, she emphasized:
“This temporary rule will give noncitizens who qualify for automatic extensions the chance to stay employed and continue supporting their families. It will also help U.S. employers avoid further disruptions in their workforce.”
The temporary rule is set to last 18 months, ending on October 27, 2023. After that, the extension period will return to 180 days unless further changes are made.
Why This Matters
As of February 2022, the backlog for all types of immigration applications had ballooned to 9.5 million, up from 5.7 million in 2019. This delay has affected immigrants and their families across the country, as well as employers relying on skilled workers.
What USCIS is Doing to Fix Delays
To tackle these issues, USCIS recently introduced new measures:
- Faster Processing: The agency is expanding premium processing options for more forms, allowing applicants to pay extra for quicker decisions.
- Clearer Goals: USCIS is setting specific targets to reduce wait times and make the application process smoother.
These updates aim to make the immigration system more efficient and ensure immigrants can contribute to the U.S. economy without unnecessary delays.
The temporary 18-month work permit extension offers much-needed relief to immigrants and employers alike. It reflects the government’s effort to address the growing backlog and improve its services.
For personalized help navigating these changes, contact Law and Visas, where immigration experts are ready to assist you with your application and ensure your rights are protected.
