Work permits are good for two years. However, renewal applications are taking a long time for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to approve. Often the renewals are taking much longer than the six-month extension that USCIS granted. Processing times can even take longer than a year. For many people, the extensions are running out long before work permit renewal processing is completed. As a result, many people have lost their jobs. However, if an application for renewal is filed before the old permit expires, and the filer has a receipt proving this, then the old work permit is valid for an extra 180 days after the expiration date printed on it.
