The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new streamlined work authorization process for refugees in the United States. Refugees will now only have to wait 30 days to receive their Work Authorization Documents (EAD) after being admitted to the country. This significantly reduces the wait time for work authorization (from several months), so refugees can begin working in the United States soon after arriving.
Under the new system, once a refugee enters the United States, USCIS will digitally generate Form I-765 (Application for Work Authorization) for them. Once approved, refugees will typically receive their EAD within one to two weeks by mail. Additionally, USCIS will now electronically provide the Social Security Administration with the information needed to assign Social Security Numbers and send social security cards to refugees so they can start working.
All eligible refugees admitted to the country on or after December 10, 2023 will receive their EAD And Social Security Cards based on this new process.
In the United States, refugees have the legal right to work upon arrival. Previously, they had to fill out a lengthy paper application to obtain EADs. The new, fully automated process eliminates the need for refugees to apply for their own EADs, resulting in faster Form I-765 processing and faster delivery of EADs upon approval.
Immigration advocates welcomed the updated guidelines because information about work authorization and Social Security is critical for newly arrived refugees to begin their lives in the United States. USCIS says the update is part of the agency’s commitment to increase efficiency and improve the customer experience by streamlining and digitizing the immigration process.