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USCIS Reduces Validity Period from 5 Years to 18 Months for Several EAD Categories, Including AOS EADs
Dec. 18, 2025—USCIS announced that it will issue EAD cards for only 18 months, reduced from five years, for applicants in several categories, including EADs issued to applicants with pending adjustment applications. Combined with the rescission of automatic extensions announced in October, this shortened validity period may cause interruptions in work authorization due to protracted USCIS processing times.
Social Media Vetting Expanded to H-1B/H-4
Dec. 18, 2025—The State Department has expanded social media vetting to include H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. As of December 15, 2025, all applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all social media profiles to “public” for their visa appointments. In the wake of this plan, we are receiving reports that...
Public Charge Under Review: What to Know
Dec. 15, 2025—On November 19, 2025, USCIS published a proposed rule to rescind the public charge regulation in effect since December 2022. If finalized, the rule would return public charge determinations to a case-by-case assessment based on statutory factors, including age, health, family status, financial resources, and education. This gives immigration officers broader discretion and may allow...
DHS Ends Automatic EAD Extensions for Many Categories
Dec. 15, 2025—On Oct. 30, DHS ended the automatic 540-day extension of many Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for renewal. Applicants must now wait for USCIS approval before work authorization continues. This rule does not affect STEM OPT or TPS extensions. Since this took effect as an Interim Final Rule without a comment period, it may face legal challenges and could...