What is the 540-day work permit auto-extension?

In recent years, many people have received an automatic extension of their current work permit after they applied to renew their work permit. On October 30, 2025, the government stopped issuing new auto-extensions of work permits. However, if you received an auto-extension of your work permit on or before October 29, 2025, your extension is still valid! Continue reading this page for more information about the 540-day extension, which thousands of ASAP members worked together to make possible. 

How do I know if I have already received an auto-extension of my work permit? 

Your work permit has already been automatically extended for 540 days if:

• Your work permit is based on a pending asylum application, AND 

• You applied to renew your work permit before the expiration date printed on the card, AND 

• You applied to renew your permit on or before October 29, 2025.

If you have already received an auto-extension of your work permit, your extension is still valid today. The new rule does not apply to you. 

How long can I work after the original expiration date on my work permit card?

If you received the 540-day auto-extension, your current work permit is automatically extended for 540 days past the expiration date, or until you get your new work permit, whichever happens first.

For example, imagine your work permit had a written expiration date of July 1, 2025, and USCIS received the application to renew your work permit on or before July 1, 2025.

Then, you can google “540 days after July 1, 2025" to learn that you can continue using your work permit until December 23, 2026, or until you receive your new work permit, whichever happens first.

How can I show my boss that my work permit has been extended for 540 days?

You can show your employer your receipt notice and this USCIS webpage to help them understand the 540-day extension. The USCIS web page is also available in other languages—you can find translation links near the top of the page.

What if my boss is confused or has more questions about my work permit extension?

If your boss or employer still has questions about your work permit extension, they can call this USCIS phone number for employers, and a USCIS official should answer their questions: 888-464-4218.

If you have questions about your work permit extension, you can also call this USCIS number, available in English and Spanish: 888-897-7781.

If your employer is still confused, you or your employer can also call a government office called the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. The phone numbers are 1-800-255-8155 for employers, and 1-800-255-7688 for employees. Both phone numbers can receive calls in English and Spanish.

My work permit application is not based on asylum. Does the extension apply to me?

Maybe. The 540-day extension applies to several types of work permits, but unfortunately it does not apply to all types. For example, the extension does apply to people who applied for work permit renewals before October 30, 2025, based on:

• a pending asylum application

• winning asylum

• winning withholding of removal

• a pending application for permanent residence based on family or employment

You can visit this government webpage to see a complete list of work permit categories that are eligible for the extension.

Note: If you have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), you may still qualify for a different length of extension depending on your country of TPS. Learn more here. 

Can I use this extension to renew my driver’s license?

Probably! Most states should accept this extension if you show your work permit card and your receipt notice when you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can also show them this USCIS webpage which explains the extension.

Each U.S. state has different rules about driver’s licenses for immigrants, and ASAP members sometimes report that they have different experiences even at different DMV offices in the same state. Learn more about driver’s licenses here.

What if I submitted my renewal application after my work permit had expired?

If you submitted your renewal application after your work permit expired, you are not eligible for the automatic extension. 

There may be other ways to try to speed up the processing of your work permit renewal, depending on your circumstances. Click here to read steps you can take. (Even though the question says it is about work permits not based on asylum, you can still try Steps 1, 2, or 5 explained in the answer.)

I’m still confused and have more questions about this policy. What can I do?

If you are an ASAP member, you can email our staff at [email protected] with questions. We will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.