U.S. Immigration • News Flash
On October 29, local time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an announcement in the Federal Register: effective October 30, 2025, the "automatic extension" policy for EAD cards is cancelled. This means that the previously implemented automatic extension policy, which had been extended to 540 days by the Biden administration, has officially terminated.
Key Policy Changes
Effective Date:
• All EAD renewal applications (I-765) submitted on or after October 30, 2025, are subject to the new regulations.
• Applications submitted before October 30 may still be processed under the old regulations (up to 540 days of automatic extension).
Major Changes:
• Past: By submitting a renewal before the EAD expires, one could automatically obtain up to 540 days of work authorization.
• Now: There are no longer any automatic extension days!
This means that once an EAD expires while a renewal application is still pending, there is a risk of an interruption in work authorization.
Who Will Be Affected?
This adjustment has a wide scope of impact. The following groups, who commonly rely on EAD renewals to maintain employment, will no longer enjoy automatic extensions if they submit their renewals on or after October 30, 2025:
• H-4 visa holders (spouses of H-1B principal applicants);
• L-2 visa holders (spouses of L-1 multinational executives);
• Applicants waiting for I-485 adjustment of status, who will face the risk of being unable to work if their EAD expires before the new card is approved;
• And other temporary residents or pending immigration applicants who rely on EAD documents for legal employment.
Therefore, for all foreign nationals in the U.S., if you plan to work in the U.S. long-term and rely on an EAD card, it is essential to plan your renewal timing in advance. It is recommended to submit your renewal application as early as possible within 180 days before the card expires, ideally on the first day you are eligible to apply, to avoid the risk of work authorization expiration and forced work stoppage due to processing delays.
Status Planning:
The Only Certainty in Uncertain Times
This seemingly technical new regulation has effectively sounded an alarm across the three fronts of immigration, education, and employment. In fact, since 2025, the U.S. immigration system has shown a clear trend of tightening: H-1B application fees have surged by $100,000; the wage-weighted lottery system; F/J and OPT programs have been tightened, and now the automatic EAD extension has also been cancelled.
In this climate, the importance of Green Card status has become even more prominent. For those planning long-term development in the U.S., planning a Green Card path in advance and securing a stable status as soon as possible will become the mainstream trend.
Status planning is not a remedial measure to passively respond to policies; true peace of mind comes from planning ahead. Policies may be volatile, but those who have secured their status will never be passive.
EB-5 Investment Immigration:
The Most Reliable Solution for Securing Long-Term Status
Facing continuously tightening visa and work authorization policies, EB-5 investment immigration has once again become the preferred channel for high-net-worth individuals and families in the U.S. globally. EB-5 not only allows applicants to obtain a U.S. Green Card but also secures status for spouses and children simultaneously, achieving comprehensive stability in education, employment, and life.
Following the implementation of the 2022 Reform and Integrity Act, EB-5 has entered a brand-new era: there are ample reserved visa quotas, allowing for the benefit of no waiting periods; rural EB-5 projects enjoy priority processing; and "concurrent filing" is permitted, allowing for the simultaneous submission of I-526E and I-485 applications, with the potential to obtain a Combo card in as fast as about 3 months, achieving legal residence and work authorization.
Benefiting from the policy dividends under the new law, the Green Card approval cycle for WorldWay clients has been significantly shortened—many investors have successfully obtained U.S. Green Cards, with the fastest taking only 11 months, demonstrating the significant advantages of new law projects in terms of time and certainty.
Now is the golden window for investors to implement their U.S. immigration plans through EB-5. Two major projects for which WorldWay serves as the exclusive agent in Greater China, both of which have had their I-956F approved, are the "Great Smoky Mountains Marriott Hotel" EB-5 rural project and the "Florida Lakeside Jewish Community Phase II" EB-5 rural project. These are further helping investors achieve their U.S. status planning securely, without waiting periods, and efficiently, quickly embarking on a new life in the United States.
Global quotas are limited, and spots are scarce—first come, first served; do not miss this opportunity!
The Grandfather Clause Enters the Final Countdown
The Earlier You File, the More Secure You Are
It is worth noting that the EB-5 grandfather clause has entered its final 11-month countdown (expiring September 30, 2026). Applications submitted before this date will be protected by current policies. Opportunities are fleeting; the earlier you file, the more secure you are!
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