Automatic work permit (EAD) extension and TPS in 2026

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The automatic extension lets you keep using an expired work permit (EAD) while USCIS decides your renewal. It changed in 2025: for TPS-based EADs, with USCIS implementing H.R. 1 from July 22, 2025, and for certain EAD categories, with a DHS rule effective October 30, 2025. Today it depends on when you filed your renewal and, if you have TPS, on your country’s Federal Register notice.

The general rule since October 30, 2025

DHS published an interim final rule (document 2025-19702, 90 FR 48799), effective October 30, 2025, that ends the practice of automatically extending the EADs of people who file to renew on time in certain categories. Per the rule’s summary, it does not affect EADs already extended before October 30, 2025, or EADs extended by law or by a Federal Register notice.

USCIS sums it up this way: people who apply to renew their EAD on or after October 30, 2025 no longer receive an automatic extension, with exceptions such as extensions of TPS-related documentation provided by law or through a Federal Register notice.

TPS: the rule by filing date

For TPS-based EADs (categories A12 or C19), the USCIS TPS page splits renewals into filing-date windows. They apply if you filed Form I-765 during your country’s re-registration period (if required), your Form I-797C receipt has a “Received Date” on or after May 4, 2022 and before October 30, 2025, the application is category (a)(12) or (c)(19), and your current EAD is A12 or C19.

I-765 renewal filed	Rule	Source
On or after October 30, 2025	No automatic extension, except one provided by law or by your country’s Federal Register notice	FR 2025-19702; USCIS TPS page
On or after July 22, 2025 and before October 30, 2025	The EAD is extended 1 year past the “Card Expires” date or through your TPS, whichever is shorter	USCIS TPS page
Before July 22, 2025 and still pending on July 22, 2025	Up to 540 days from expiration, but the part after July 22, 2025 cannot last longer than 1 year from that date or than your TPS	USCIS TPS page

USCIS notes that in the July 22 – October 29, 2025 window you cannot claim the full 540-day extension even if it appears on your Form I-797C. During the extension, your expired EAD together with your I-797C receipt notice is acceptable proof of identity and work authorization.

USCIS may also extend a TPS EAD through a Federal Register notice for your country or an individual notice (typically a Form I-797) that states the new date.

TPS status by country

Sources: each country’s TPS page on uscis.gov and the Federal Register notice USCIS cites for it, read on October 19, 2026. A row shows dates only when both sources match and the country page does not mention litigation, a court order or a pending announcement.

Country	Status per USCIS	Designation ends	EAD valid through	Federal Register notice	USCIS page	Verified on
Lebanon	Designated (automatic 6-month extension)	Nov 27, 2026	Nov 27, 2026 (A12/C19 EAD with “Card Expires” May 27, 2026)	91 FR 32069	TPS Lebanon	Oct 19, 2026
El Salvador	Designated; USCIS says a decision is pending	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 5953	TPS El Salvador	Oct 19, 2026
Sudan	Designated; USCIS says a decision is pending	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 5944	TPS Sudan	Oct 19, 2026
Ukraine	Designated; USCIS says a decision is pending	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 5936	TPS Ukraine	Oct 19, 2026
Venezuela	Terminated, with documents still valid under a court order	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 43225 (2021 designation)	TPS Venezuela	Oct 19, 2026
Honduras	Terminated; USCIS mentions litigation	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 30089	TPS Honduras	Oct 19, 2026
Nicaragua	Terminated; USCIS mentions litigation	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 30086	TPS Nicaragua	Oct 19, 2026
Nepal	Terminated; USCIS mentions litigation	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 24151	TPS Nepal	Oct 19, 2026
Somalia	Terminated; USCIS cites a Supreme Court decision	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	91 FR 1547	TPS Somalia	Oct 19, 2026
Haiti	Terminated; USCIS cites a Supreme Court decision	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 54733	TPS (USCIS)	Oct 19, 2026
Syria	Terminated; USCIS cites a Supreme Court decision	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 45398	TPS (USCIS)	Oct 19, 2026
Yemen	Terminated; USCIS cites a Supreme Court decision	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	91 FR 10402	TPS (USCIS)	Oct 19, 2026
Ethiopia	Terminated; USCIS cites a Supreme Court decision	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 58028	TPS (USCIS)	Oct 19, 2026
South Sudan	Terminated; USCIS cites a Supreme Court decision	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 50484	TPS (USCIS)	Oct 19, 2026
Burma (Myanmar)	Terminated; USCIS cites a Supreme Court decision	In litigation or changing: check the official page	In litigation or changing: check the official page	90 FR 53378	TPS (USCIS)	Oct 19, 2026

As of October 19, 2026, USCIS still includes El Salvador, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine and Venezuela on its list of countries designated for TPS. Venezuela appears on that list even though its 2021 designation was terminated (90 FR 43225): the termination is in litigation and, as the table shows, some documents remain valid under a court order. Check the USCIS Venezuela page before you decide. For El Salvador, Sudan and Ukraine, USCIS says an announcement will be made “at the appropriate time” and that, until then, people with TPS keep their protection, including work authorization.

What to do now

1. Find your category on the EAD (A12 or C19 for TPS) and the “Card Expires” date.
2. Find the “Received Date” of your renewal on Form I-797C and place it in the filing-date table.
3. Open your country’s page on uscis.gov and read the Federal Register notice it cites.
4. If you renew, check the current fee in the USCIS fees 2026 guide and follow your case with how to check your USCIS case.