U.S to now conduct frequent checks for migrants on work visas every 18 months

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised its policy manual, aiming to conduct frequent checks for migrants on work visas every 18 months.

This means that the maximum validity period for Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs), has been reduced from five years to 18 months across several migrant categories.

Officials argue that shorter authorisation periods will help deter fraud and identify individuals who may pose a threat, enabling authorities to take removal action where necessary.

Read also: How Nigerian immigrants can secure a job in Canada in 3 months

The move aligns with recent legislation and is intended to strengthen vetting procedures and safeguard national security.

Joseph Edlow, director USCIS said, “Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorisation will ensure that those seeking to work in the US do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies. Following the attack on National Guard service members in Washington by a migrant admitted under the previous administration, it is even clearer that USCIS must conduct regular vetting”.

Key changes

The maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs that will be cut from five years to 18 months, will affect the following groups: Refugees admitted to the US, individuals granted asylum, migrants granted withholding of deportation or removal, applicants with pending asylum or withholding of removal cases, applicants seeking adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, applicants with pending cases for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.

This adjustment applies to applications pending or filed on or after December 5, 2025.

Read also: US extends work permit validity for foreign workers, including Nigerians

Legislative requirements

Further restrictions stem from the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Act (Public Law 119-21), signed into law on July 4, 2025. Under this statute, the validity of initial and renewal EADs is capped at one year, or until the end of the authorised parole period or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), whichever is shorter. This applies to refugees paroled into the US, migrants granted TPS, migrants granted parole, applicants with pending TPS cases and spouses of entrepreneurs admitted under parole provisions

USCIS formally announced the implementation of H.R. 1 in a Federal Register notice on July 22, 2025. The new requirements apply to all Form I-765 applications pending or filed on or after that date.

For more information on applications for employment authorisation, immigrants should visit Employment Authorization Document page

Ngozi Ekugo is a Snr.Correspondent at Business day. She has an MSc in Management from the University of Hertfordshire, and is an associate member of CIPM. Her career spans multiple industries, including a brief stint at Goldman Sachs in London,

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date