On December 4, 2025, USCIS announced that it will reduce the maximum validity period for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for several application categories, including Adjustment of Status applicants, from five years to 18 months. This change affects EAD applications that are approved after December 5, 2025. It does NOT affect the validity of EADs that were previously approved and does not apply to all EAD categories.
Note that this USCIS policy change does NOT affect individuals in non-immigrant statuses sponsored by U-M, such as individuals with an EAD based on OPT, J-2 or H-4 status. Individuals in H-1B, TN, E-3 status do not receive an EAD and are therefore not affected by this change.
For additional details and an overview of the affected EAD categories, please refer to the USCIS announcement.