USCIS Policy Updates: EAD Validity Reduced, New Vetting Center, Fee Hikes for FY2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reduced the maximum validity period for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain categories, incorporating changes from recent legislation. This directly affects EB-3 applicants and others on employment-based pathways who rely on EADs for work authorization during the adjustment of status process. Applicants should plan renewals earlier to avoid gaps in work authorization. USCIS is establishing a new Vetting Center to be headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, designed to conduct more thorough supplemental reviews of immigration applications and petitions using both classified and non-classified screening capabilities. Simultaneously, the Department of State has expanded social media vetting to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants for both new applications and renewals, signaling a broader trend toward intensified scrutiny across employment-based categories. USCIS, CBP, and ICE announced fee increases for certain benefits effective Fiscal Year 2026. Additionally, USCIS now requires electronic payments only through Pay.gov for electronically filed benefit requests, with limited exceptions. EB-3 applicants and petitioners should verify current fee schedules before filing any petitions or adjustment of status applications to avoid rejections. Routine visa services resumed after the federal government shutdown ended following a record 43 days, though backlogs and delays are expected to persist. The Department of State also issued guidance expanding public charge exclusion grounds, instructing visa officers to apply broader criteria when evaluating applicants — a development that could affect consular processing for EB-3 workers abroad. For EB-3 applicants, the cumulative effect of these policy changes — increased vetting, reduced EAD validity, higher fees, and expanded public charge standards — underscores the importance of staying current with USCIS policy updates and working closely with qualified immigration counsel. Priority action items include reviewing EAD expiration dates, updating fee calculations for any pending filings, and ensuring all electronic submissions are payment-ready through Pay.gov.