TheUSCIShas released updated policy guidance stating that it will grant EADs validfor 2 years to certain green card applicants including those applying based onan approved Form I-130 (family-based green card) or Form I-140(employment-based green card).
Bothinitial and renewal EAD applications will be eligible for the 2-year validity period.However, replacement EADs will not be issued for 2-year validity period butwill rather be issued with the same validity dates as the original EAD that isbeing replaced.
TheUSCIS has historically issued EADs that are valid for a 1-year period to greencard applicants. While there is generally no fee for a filing an EADapplication for green card applicants, almost 370,000 green card related EADapplications were filed with the USCIS in fiscal year 2020. It is hoped that byissuing EADs valid for 2 years instead of 1 year, the USCIS will be able to redistributelimited resources to alleviate current processing backlogs.