Shorter Work Permit Validity: What Virginia Immigrants Face
Employment Authorization Documents will now be valid for a much shorter period under the current administration. This new rule will apply to asylees, refugees, and any other immigrants who are currently allowed to work in the U.S. under legal protection. The goal of the current administration has been to tighten immigration procedures, and this is yet another step in that process. Immigrants who currently have pending applications for permanent U.S. residency (green cards) or asylum will also be affected by the new shorter work permits.
These processes may already take years of waiting. There is a significant level of unresolved cases across the U.S. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will still issue EADs, but the new work permits will be for significantly shorter times than the current ones, which are typically five years. The permits may now be from one year to 18 months. The new policy applies to work permit applications filed after Friday, December 5, as well as those that are pending as of that date.
This latest move by the Trump administration regarding immigration creates new challenges for immigrants living and working in Virginia. These changes mean immigrants must renew their work permits more often, face higher costs, and risk gaps in employment authorization if processing delays occur. For families, students, asylum seekers, and long-term residents, the new rules add pressure to an already complex immigration system. A Remington, VA immigration attorney can help you determine how the latest changes may affect you, and what steps you can take.
What Are the Exact Work Permit Changes That Were Recently Announced?
The work permit changes include:
- An overview of previous EAD validity periods (often two years)
- Reduction to shorter periods (one year or less)
- Applies to Asylum applicants, TPS holders, certain parolees, and applicants waiting on adjustment of status
- There is no change to eligibility at this time, only in the length of approval.
Why Do the Changes Matter for Virginia Immigrants?
These changes place a higher financial burden on Virginia immigrants with more frequent renewal fees, increased legal assistance costs, and impacts on mixed-status families. There is a greater risk of employment gaps, since USCIS backlogs mean renewal decisions can take months. Delays could cause job loss, interrupted professional licenses, and loss of benefits tied to employment.
Virginia employers will see increased stress, particularly those in healthcare, construction, hospitality, and tech, which rely heavily on work-authorized immigrants in the state. HR departments must now track multiple renewal cycles, and higher turnover risk due to processing delays. Virginia-specific impact lies in the fact that there are high immigrant populations in Northern Virginia, along with agricultural and seasonal labor in Central and Coastal Virginia. Military communities will be affected when spouses rely on EADs for work.
What Steps Should Virginia Immigrants Take Now?
Virginia immigrants should file work renewals early (up to 180 days before expiration, in many cases), and track expiration dates using digital reminders. Seek legal advice early on to avoid any mistakes that could potentially cause delays. When feasible, ask employers for support letters to expedite certain categories. Check whether automatic extensions apply, as some categories will qualify. Keep proof of timely filing in cases of employer verification issues. Virginia employers should update Form I-9 practices to reflect shorter EAD periods and use internal tracking systems for employees’ expiration dates.
Contact a Fairfax, VA Immigration Lawyer
If the shortened work permit validity period is causing stress for you or your family, you are not alone. Virginia immigrants are feeling the effects of these changes, and proactive planning is essential. A highly skilled Remington, VA family immigration attorney from The Estevez Group, PC can help you understand your options and avoid gaps in work authorization while preparing timely renewals. Attorney Estevez is available 24/7 and wants to help those in crisis. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Call The Estevez Group, PC to schedule your free consultation.
