In general, all workers in the U.S. must prove that they are legally authorized to work. One form of proof is a work permit called an “Employment Authorization Document (EAD).” A worker can typically renew an EAD before it expires. However, processing delays at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have become so lengthy that an EAD may expire months before USCIS approves a routine renewal application.
These delays cause serious harm to workers who lose employment authorization and to employers who cannot verify an employee’s permission to work. To reduce this harm, USCIS has temporarily extended the validity of certain EAD’s for up to 540 days. In general, the automatic extension is available if:
The renewal application was filed before the EAD expired.
The renewal application is based on the same eligibility category as the existing EAD.
The eligibility category for the EAD also qualifies for an automatic extension. https://www.uscis.gov/eadautoextend
The American Immigration Lawyers Association has published this flyer with more details. Please consult with an attorney for advice about your situation.