VOI World/ Desk
The United States has sharply reduced the validity of work permits issued to immigrants in several categories, cutting the tenure from five years to 18 months. The change has created concern among applicants waiting for green cards, including many from India, and led to questions about its effect on job continuity and immigration timelines. Immigration lawyers said the decision could add pressure on applicants relying on work permits during lengthy adjustment processes, reflecting rising uncertainty around US work permit validity cut under the updated policy.
The move, announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, affects Employment Authorization Document validity for refugees, asylees and applicants awaiting green cards. Officials said shorter validity periods will enable more frequent vetting and help address security reviews. They added that the change gives authorities more opportunities to detect fraudulent applications or attempts to misuse the system, and strengthens oversight of those working in the country while their status is under review.
Immigration attorneys said the reduction could create operational challenges for employers, as renewals will be required more often and processing backlogs may impact continuity. Some noted that applicants in employment-based green card categories may face longer waits, especially given existing delays in renewals. One immigration expert said the shift could trigger job interruptions if renewals are not completed on time.
Officials stressed that the change applies across multiple categories and is meant to align with a wider effort to tighten the immigration system. They said the revision reflects a view that more frequent checks are needed to assess eligibility and maintain compliance. Indian applicants are among those who rely on long-term work permits due to the long wait for green cards and the backlog built over several years. Advocates said the impact of the US work permit validity cut will depend on how renewal processing is managed in the months ahead.
