Skip to main content
This is the USCIS preview website. Visit uscis.gov for the official USCIS site.
USCIS Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government    Here's how you know
Español
Multilingual Resources
Official Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Website

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Sign In  
Access USCIS online services.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
Sign In
Create Account
Horizontal Menu
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
  • Contact us
  • Multilingual Resources
  • Ask Emma
Main navigation
Skip to main content
  • I-9 Central
    • Form I-9 Related News
      • Archived Form I-9 News
    • Temporary Policies Related to COVID-19
      • Questions and Answers Related to COVID-19
    • Complete & Correct Form I-9
      • Completing Section 1, Employee Information and Attestation
      • Completing Section 2, Employer Review and Attestation
      • Completing Section 3, Reverification and Rehires
      • Exceptions
      • Special Categories
      • Retention and Storage
      • Self-Audits and Correcting Mistakes
      • Special Rules for E-Verify Users
    • Form I-9 Acceptable Documents
      • Receipts
      • Who is Issued This Document?
      • Combination Documents
      • Employment Authorization Extensions
      • Examining Documents
    • Employee Rights and Resources
      • Preventing Discrimination
      • Filing a Discrimination Claim
    • Legal Requirements and Enforcement
      • Form I-9 Inspections
      • Penalties
    • Form I-9 Resources
      • (EAD) Automatic Extension Calculator
      • Handbook for Employers M-274
      • Employment Eligibility Webinars
      • I-9 Central Questions & Answers
    • Form I-9 Contact Us
    • E-Verify
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. I-9 Central
  3. Form I-9 Acceptable Documents
  4. Employment Authorization Extensions

Employment Authorization Extensions

The following sections have information about employment authorization extensions that USCIS provides under certain conditions.

Conditional Permanent Resident

A conditional permanent resident receives a Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, (also known as Green Card) that is valid for 2 years. When they file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, DHS may extend the validity of their Green Card. For more information, see the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 6.1, Lawful Permanent Residents.

Deferred Enforced Departure

DHS may extend Employment Authorization Documents provided to individuals covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Visit USCIS DED or I-9 Central DED for more information.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Renewal

DHS will automatically extend EADs (Form I-766) for employees with certain EAD category codes who timely file to renew their EAD. An automatic extension also may apply if USCIS cannot issue a new EAD before the expiration date of a previous EAD, which sometimes occurs for individuals with Temporary Protected Status.

DHS announces automatic EAD extensions through the Federal Register and the USCIS website. For more information, see the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 4.4, Automatic Extensions of Employment Authorization and/or Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) in Certain Circumstances.

F-1 OPT to H-1B Cap-Gap

A cap-gap is the period between the end of a nonimmigrant student’s F-1 status and the beginning of their H-1B status. An F-1 student in Optional Practical Training (OPT) whose employer timely files an H-1B petition for the student may be eligible to continue working beyond the expiration of their OPT Employment Authorization Document. For more information, see the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 6.4.2, F-1 and M-1 Nonimmigrant Students under Cap-Gap.

F-1 STEM OPT

F-1 students who timely file a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension application will receive an automatic extension if their OPT period expires while their application is pending. For more information, see the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 6.4.2, F-1 and M-1 Nonimmigrant Students under F-1 STEM OPT Extension.

H-1B Specialty Occupations

Employees in the H-1B program may have their status and employment authorization extended if their employer timely files a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to extend their employment, or if a new employer petitions to become their employer. For more information, see the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 6.5, H-1B Specialty Occupations.

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program

Employees in the H-2A program may have their status and employment authorization extended if their employer timely files a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to extend their employment, or if a new employer petitions to become their employer. For more information, see the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 6.6, H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program.

Other Nonimmigrant Categories

Employers who timely file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, or Form I-129CW, Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker, for CW-nonimmigrants may extend the status employment authorization of their employees. For more information and a list of applicable nonimmigrant categories, see the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 6.7, Extensions of Stay for Other Nonimmigrant Categories.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

When DHS extends a TPS designation, it may also extend the corresponding Employment Authorization Document. Visit I-9 Central’s TPS webpage for more information, including a list of countries. TPS automatic extension information is also available in the Handbook for Employers (M-274), Section 4.4, Automatic Extensions of Employment Authorization and/or Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) in Certain Circumstances.

More Information

Handbook for Employers M-274, Guidance for Completing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form

Take a Free Webinar

Last Reviewed/Updated:
05/19/2022
Was this page helpful?
0 / 2000
To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Review our Privacy Policy.
Return to top
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Email
Contact USCIS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal

USCIS.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Important links
  • About USCIS
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS Components
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy and Legal Disclaimers
  • Site Map
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov