U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reduced or eliminated automatic extensions for TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). The move helps USCIS comply with an interim final rule published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on October 30, 2025. This new rule only impacts TPS-based EAD renewals.
Policy Change
Individuals that have EADs maintained under TPS status should check their renewal applications for how the change in policy affects them. How they’re impacted depends on when they received their Form I-797C notice receipt.
- Individuals with a receipt filed between July 22 and October 31, 2025.
- Their automatic extension is limited to either one year or until their TPS status expires, whichever comes first.
- These individuals CANNOT claim the full five-hundred-and-forty-day extension, even if it’s listed on their receipt.
- Individuals with a receipt filed before July 22, 2025.
- These individuals can claim the full extension.
- However, said extension can only last until March 13, 2027.
- These individuals can claim the full extension.
Comparison
Beneficary A received their I-797C receipt on July 15, 2025, while Beneficiary B received theirs on July 25. This means:
- Beneficiary A has access to all five hundred and forty days of their extension, if it expires before March 13, 2027.
- Once that extension expires, they’ll be subject to the new reduced extension times going forward.
- Beneficiary B only has access to a one year long extension if their TPS status doesn’t expire first.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, please contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws and policy updates. In an ever-evolving immigration landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.