⁠Trump Green Card 2026 – Green Card Work Permit Eligibility & New Rules

The United States is approaching a new phase in its immigration policies during the 2025-2026 time frame as Trump Green Card 2026. The policies being developed by the Trump Administration are introducing major changes, such as more stringent requirements for vetting applicants and a shorter limit (3 years) on the period of time that could be received upon approval of your application as a foreign worker or upon receiving your Green Card. 

On December 18, 2008, USCIS published another major announcement regarding changes to EAD Policy. Under the new policy, EADs for persons classified as refugees, asylees, and multiple immigrant classifications, including individuals who have a pending adjustment of status (Green Card application), will only be good for 18 months instead of the traditional 5-year period.The interested individuals must check the Permanent Resident Card Eligibility Criteria 2026 before applying.

⁠Trump Green Card 2026

Other actions are being taken – such as stopping automatic extensions on pending renewals for work permits, subjecting pending extensions to new withholding scrutiny, and increasing scrutiny on applications from a limited number of high-risk countries. Trump Green Card 2026 amendments combined create an entirely different landscape for immigrants than they previously had. 

If you are an immigrant who plans to apply for a US Green Card 2026 or you are currently in the process of applying for a Green Card, these updates to the immigration system introduce many important questions regarding eligibility, renewal frequency, and required documentation and background checks associated with obtaining a Green Card. 

US Green Card New Rules 2026: Overview

⁠USA Green Card 2026- Eligibility Criteria

 USCIS clarified that there will be multiple large categories under which you might be able to apply for your Green Card in 2025-26:

Family-based Green Cards

As a family member of a U.S. Citizen, you may be able to obtain a Green Card under one of the following categories:

• As the spouse of a U.S. Citizen.
• As the unmarried child (under 21 years old) of a U.S. Citizen.
• As the parent of a U.S. Citizen, provided that the U.S. Citizen is at least 21 years old.
• Certain “preference” categories include many extended family members (i.e., siblings, married children).

Employment-based Green Cards

If your application falls under the employment/skills categories, there are several subcategories for employment-based Green Cards available to you, as follows:

• EB-1: “priority workers” are individuals who possess extraordinary skill or ability, in one or more of several areas, including science, art, business, athletics and include outstanding researchers/professors and certain multinational executives/managers.
• EB-2: Individuals who possess advanced degrees with exceptional ability, either through employment or through an Employment/Visa or National Interest Waiver, for which a job offer or visa availability exists.
• EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals and “other workers” are also included in this category.

US Permanent Resident Card 2026- Application Form

• Correctly apply for Form I-765 – Employment Authorisation Application by completing the application form accurately.
• To select which eligibility category you are applying for on Form I-765, please select one of the following categories: pending I-485, Asylum Pending, or Refugee.

Documents For USCIS Resident Card 2025

Typical documentation needed for Form I-765:

• A copy of the I-94 travel record (front and back) or an electronic I-94 printout.
• A copy of your passport (the photo page) and U.S. visa (if applicable).
• Two Passport-style photographs, meeting USCIS specifications.
• A copy of any previous EADs (if you are renewing your page).
• The receipt notice from USCIS showing the pending status of your Green Card application – if applicable.

Filing Your Application

You may file your application online (if allowed), create a USCIS online account, upload your documents, and pay the fee, or you may submit a paper application by mail to the appropriate USCIS service centre based on your eligibility category.

New EAD / Work-Permit Rules

• The U.S. Government has recently announced new rules for the issuance and renewal of an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) for all applicants filed in 2020 or later, which will be effective beginning December 5, 2025. 
• Under the new rule, both the initial EADs issued after December 5, 2025, and any EAD renewals issued on or after December 5, 2025, will only be valid for a maximum of 18 months; the period of validity for an EAD will no longer be able to exceed 18 months. 
• This rule change will affect all people applying for an EAD, including people who hold a status of Refugee or Asylees, and many Immigrants who are waiting for a Green Card or Asylum Case Status approval. 
• Additionally, some EADs (based on the previous EAD Extension Policy) that provide Auto Extensions for those waiting for Renewals of their EAD are no longer valid under this new rule and may not provide work authorization while the individual waits for the renewal.

Trump Green Card 2026-Fact Check 

For immigrants looking for Green Cards or work authorization in the US, 2026 marks a big shift as a result of new policies from the Trump Administration, which creates a more complex and limited pathway to permanent residence or temporary employment than previous administrations have done.

FAQ’s Related To Trump Green Card 2026

• What has changed with the work permit (EAD) under the Trump Administration?
• Starting from December 5, 2025, work permits (EADs) provided to refugees, asylum seekers and most Green Card applicants will only be good for a maximum of 18 months, compared to a standard 5-year duration that was offered before.
• Who needs an EAD and who does not?
• If you are waiting for your Green Card approval or are an asylum seeker or refugee, you need an EAD.
• Will a shorter EAD affect your Green Card application?
• A shorter EAD will not affect your Green Card application directly; however, a shorter EAD and the need to apply for it more often will increase the likelihood of delays or uncertainty with your Green Card application.
• If you currently have an EAD, will you be affected immediately?
• EADs that were approved under the previous 5-year rule will still be valid until their expiration date. However, any application for the renewal of these EADs will have to comply with the new rules.