U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would extend the validity of initial work authorization documents for refugees to two years after arrival in the United States.  Previous policy required renewal of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) after one year.

The new policy will reduce the financial burden on refugees by eliminating the need for many refugees to apply for renewal of work documents before they are able to adjust status to permanent residency.    While there is no fee for the initial application for a refugee EAD, applicants incur a $340 fee for renewals.

This new policy is consistent with the USCIS policy to provide two-year EADs for I-485 adjustment applicants when an immigrant visa is not available.

Stay tuned to www.bashyamspiro.com for additional information as it becomes available.