North Carolina, Charlotte. – Certain foreigners will now be able to have work permits in the United States valid for a maximum of five years. The above was announced recently by President Biden's government.
The Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicated that the five-year extension will apply to initial permits and those that require renewal.
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) shows employers that a person can be hired to work in the United States, the agency said. Until September 27, 2023, the EAD had a maximum validity of two years.
Who benefits from the extension of work permits?
According to the USCIS, the extension of the work permit may to benefit to people authorized to work based on their status or circumstance.
This includes:
- Refugees
- Temporary stay permits
- Asylum Beneficiaries
- People who received withholding of removal
We have also increased the maximum validity period of initial and renewal EADs to five years for certain non-citizens who must apply for employment authorization.
This includes:
- Applicants for Asylum or Suspension of Removal
- Adjustment of Status Applicants
- Applicants for cancellation of deportation
In addition, those who have a temporary stay permit in the United States and have benefited from “humanitarian parole” may also opt for a five-year work permit. This includes Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Haitians.
The goal is to reduce the number of requests
The program began on October 1 and is part of the Biden administration's plan; It also includes expanding surveillance on the country's southern border. The plan also contemplates the reallocation and extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans.
The agency explained that the five-year extension “is intended to significantly reduce the number of new application forms for that authorization (Forms I-765) that we receive for renewal for several years to come.”
He also added: “that the decision will contribute to efforts to reduce processing time and associated delays.”
With the new measure, it is expected that work permits will be completed in less than 30 days. Currently, the USCIS takes up to seven months to respond favorably to applicants.
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If an application is denied, employment authorization may be terminated.
The USCIS clarified that, despite this extension, “Maintaining employment authorization still depends on your status, circumstances, and EAD filing category.”
“If an individual received an EAD under category (c)(9) based on a pending application for adjustment of status for the maximum five-year validity period, and the adjustment application is subsequently denied, their associated employment authorization may be terminated before the expiration date shown on their EAD,” USCIS gave as an example.
The extension was made official with the update of the guide USCIS Policy Manual, which also explains who can present an employer with a Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record as an acceptable document proving authorization for employment.
For additional information about work permits in the USA, you can read the USCIS Policy Alert issued on September 27.
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