What exactly has changed
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule that eliminated the practice of automatically extending EAD validity for renewal applications filed on or after October 30, 2025. Previously, under the previous administration, applicants could legally work for up to 540 days after their card expired if their renewal application was still being processed by USCIS during that time.
This safety net has just disappeared. For most EAD holders, this means that on the day their current card expires, their right to work also ends — regardless of whether USCIS has even had time to process the renewal application. Exceptions apply only to situations separately provided for by law, including documents related to Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Shorter card validity
Concurrently, effective December 5, 2025, USCIS shortened the maximum validity period for many EAD categories from five years to 18 months. This applies, among others, to individuals with a pending adjustment of status application, refugees, asylees, and individuals awaiting an asylum decision. In short: a card that once provided five years of peace of mind now needs to be renewed much more frequently.
For someone new to the U.S. immigration system, this might sound like a bureaucratic detail — but in practice, it’s a complete change in the rhythm of how one must manage their documents. USCIS recommends filing an EAD renewal application up to 180 days before its expiration — the longer one delays, the greater the risk of a gap in employment.
What about the visa queue — as of July 2026
For those waiting in the green card queue, the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State is equally important. According to the July 2026 bulletin, the F2A category (spouses and minor children of green card holders) remains practically current in the “Dates for Filing” chart for most countries — this is good news for families awaiting reunification. The F4 category (siblings of U.S. citizens) moved forward by more than two months compared to the previous month for most countries, including China.
In employment-based categories, the situation is more difficult for applicants from India — the annual limit in the EB-2 category for India has already been exhausted for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, as has the EB-5 (unreserved) category. For applicants from Poland, these restrictions usually do not have a direct impact, but it is worth monitoring the bulletin monthly — categories can shift in both directions.
What this means in practice
’For Poles in the U.S. whose legal stay or work depends on a valid EAD, the most important change is the need for much earlier planning. The deadline that once provided a certain margin of safety even with USCIS delays practically no longer exists today. Individuals with a pending green card application, those awaiting asylum, or those holding other EAD categories covered by the new rules should check their card’s expiration date and — if it is approaching even within six months — start the renewal process as soon as possible.
For matters related to green card applications, EADs, or tracking the visa queue, contacting a licensed immigration attorney who keeps up-to-date with regulatory changes can be helpful — you can find verified specialists in this field in the directory on PolishPages.com.
EAD and Visa Bulletin in a nutshell
- Effective 10/30/2025 — end of automatic EAD extension for new renewal applications.
- Effective 12/05/2025 — maximum validity of many EAD categories shortened from 5 years to 18 months.
- USCIS recommends filing a renewal application up to 180 days before the card expires.
- Visa Bulletin July 2026: F2A practically current for most countries; F4 moved forward by more than 2 months.
- EB-2 and EB-5 (unreserved) for India — annual limit exhausted for the remainder of FY2026.
Bartosz Karczmarski, Poland.US (Voice of the Polish Community in the USA). This text is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For current information, check uscis.gov and travel.state.gov, and for individual matters, consult a licensed immigration specialist. More guides at poland.us.
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