The United States government has reduced the validity period of work permits issued to foreign refugees and asylum seekers, a decision that marks one of the most sweeping changes to immigration administration in recent years. Work permits, officially known as Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs), will now need to be renewed every 18 months rather than the previous five-year period.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for overseeing lawful immigration under the Department of Homeland Security. The revised rules will apply to individuals in nineteen immigration categories, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who cannot be returned to their home countries due to safety concerns. USCIS stated that the updated policy aims to increase regulatory oversight and facilitate more frequent reviews of applicants’ eligibility.
An EAD is essential for non-US citizens seeking employment within the country, as it serves as official proof of the right to work. The shortening of its tenure from five years to only a year and a half introduces a substantial administrative burden, particularly for vulnerable groups who already navigate a lengthy and complex immigration process.
The policy change comes amid a wider tightening of immigration regulations under President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2024 after a hard-fought election campaign. Immigration reform was a central theme of his campaign, with promises to combat illegal entry, reinforce border controls and overhaul existing visa systems. Upon assuming office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders designed to implement these pledges swiftly.
One of the most contentious measures introduced by the administration has been the unprecedented increase in the H-1B visa fee. Once priced at around 1,500 dollars, the fee has now surged to an extraordinary 100,000 dollars. The H-1B programme is widely used by global corporations to recruit specialised professionals from overseas, particularly in fields such as technology, engineering and scientific research. The steep fee increase has led to concerns that the United States may lose its attractiveness as a destination for highly skilled talent.
Heightened immigration restrictions have also followed a recent incident in Washington DC, where two National Guard members were shot dead by an Afghan refugee. In response, the government temporarily halted immigration-related procedures for citizens of nineteen countries considered high-risk or politically unstable. These include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Yemen and several others.
Further restrictions may be imminent. In an interview with Fox News, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem disclosed that the department intends to ban entry for nationals of more than thirty countries. While details remain under review, the anticipated measures have sparked debate about their potential impact on humanitarian protection and international relations.
Advocacy groups and legal experts have criticised the decision to reduce the EAD validity period, arguing that it places additional strain on refugees and asylum seekers who may face delays in documentation, risk of unemployment and increased legal costs. Many fear that the policy will deepen uncertainty for individuals already grappling with trauma, displacement and survival challenges.
Immigrant rights organisations warn that the shorter renewal cycle could lead to more application backlogs, given the already strained capacity of USCIS. They argue that instead of promoting efficiency, the policy may hinder both immigrants and the agencies responsible for processing their documents.
Nevertheless, the US government maintains that the reforms reflect a commitment to strengthening security screening, preventing potential fraud and ensuring that immigration benefits are granted only to those who remain eligible under evolving circumstances.
As the policy takes effect, thousands of refugees, asylum seekers and humanitarian migrants brace themselves for a more demanding and uncertain future, navigating a complex system now reshaped by stricter timeframes and intensified oversight.