In a major policy shift, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the end of automatic extensions for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs); a move that could disrupt the lives of thousands of legal migrant workers, including a large number of Indians. The new rule, effective October 30, 2025, requires all foreign workers to stop working once their EAD expires, unless renewal is formally approved.
Previously, workers who filed timely renewals could continue employment for up to 540 days while awaiting approval; a safeguard now withdrawn. The DHS claims the decision enhances “vetting and national security,” but immigration advocates warn it could trigger widespread job losses and labour shortages.
The change directly impacts H-1B spouses (H-4 visa holders), F-1 STEM OPT students, asylum seekers, and green-card applicants many of whom are Indian professionals in the U.S. tech and healthcare sectors. Analysts predict a sharp increase in employment gaps and administrative bottlenecks, as processing times already stretch beyond several months.
For Indian workers, the policy adds another layer of uncertainty with tightening U.S. visa norms. Immigration experts say this could push skilled migrants toward Canada, Australia, or Europe, where renewal systems remain more stable. As America tightens its labour mobility regime, global competition for skilled talent is poised to intensify, testing Washington’s long-held dominance as a magnet for innovation and workforce diversity.
