On October 14, 2026 the Federal Register published a final rule adopting, without changes, the interim rule on employment authorization documents (EAD, Form I-766). It took effect the same day.
What changed
- The up-to-540-day automatic extension only applies to renewals filed BEFORE October 30, 2025.
- If you filed your renewal on or after October 30, 2025, your EAD expires on the printed date unless a law, regulation or Federal Register notice says otherwise.
- Extensions tied to TPS (Temporary Protected Status) and others provided by law or notice are not affected.
What to do
- Check the expiration date on your EAD card today.
- File your renewal as early as possible: USCIS allows filing up to 180 days before expiration.
- Track your renewal case so you know the moment it is approved. CaseAlerta alerts you by push and email.
- If your job depends on your EAD, talk to your employer and, if in doubt, an immigration attorney.
Sources
- Federal Register · Final rule, doc. 2026-20955 (Oct 14, 2026)
- USCIS · Employment Authorization Document
Informational summary prepared by CaseAlerta with AI assistance from official sources. Not legal advice.