USCIS denied 35,767 employment authorisation applications in April-June 2026, while 671,362 cases remained pending, raising concerns for foreign professionals relying on work permits while awaiting permanent residency decisions.

The sharp increase in denials of US work-permit applications linked to green-card processing is an important warning for Indian professionals navigating the country’s lengthy immigration system. Data reported from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shows that the denial share for employment authorisation applications filed under the adjustment-of-status category rose to about 44% in the April-June quarter of fiscal 2026, compared with approximately 25% in the preceding two quarters.

USCIS recorded 35,767 denials and 46,405 approvals among applications decided in the quarter. The agency had 671,362 applications pending in this category, with a reported median processing time of 6.4 months, according to figures published by Financial Express on October 13.

For Indian nationals waiting for employment-based green cards, the figures underline the importance of understanding the separate stages of the immigration process. However, the published data does not identify how many applicants were Indian nationals, and the increase should not be interpreted as a 44% denial rate for green-card applications themselves.

Work permits and green cards are separate decisions

Eligible foreign nationals who apply to adjust their immigration status to permanent residence can file Form I-765 to request an Employment Authorization Document, commonly known as an EAD. The document allows them to work in the United States when approved and while the authorisation remains valid.

The underlying green-card application is generally filed through Form I-485. USCIS processes the two applications separately, even when they are connected to the same immigration case.

Consequently, denial of an EAD application does not automatically mean that the applicant’s green-card application has been rejected. Equally, having a pending green-card application does not, by itself, authorise a person to work.

The distinction is particularly important for Indian professionals who have spent years waiting for employment-based permanent residency because of visa backlogs. An applicant may have a pending Form I-485 but still need valid work authorisation to remain employed under the applicable immigration rules.

The reported figures also require careful interpretation. The 44% figure represents the share of decisions that were denials in the specified category during the quarter. It does not establish that 44% of all applications filed during that period were rejected, because some cases remain undecided and the applications decided may have been filed earlier.

USCIS data also showed a different outcome for employment-based green-card applications. Form I-485 in that category recorded 3,160 denials and 42,076 approvals in April-June 2026, with the denial share remaining around 7%, according to the figures reported by Financial Express.

This difference reinforces why work-authorisation denials and green-card denials must not be treated as interchangeable measures.

What Indian applicants and employers should check

Indian professionals with pending green-card applications should review the status and expiry date of their current work authorisation, any pending renewal application and the immigration category under which they are authorised to work.

They should not assume that a pending EAD renewal automatically extends employment authorisation. Any extension depends on the applicable rules and the applicant’s eligibility. Applicants should confirm their individual circumstances with a qualified US immigration attorney before making employment decisions.

Those who hold another valid basis for employment may have different options from applicants who rely exclusively on an adjustment-of-status EAD. The consequences of an EAD denial therefore depend on the individual’s immigration status, existing authorisation and the reason for the decision.

Employers also need to verify work authorisation in accordance with US employment-verification requirements. A pending green-card application alone is not proof of permission to work, and employers should not assume that every EAD denial automatically ends an employee’s ability to work if another valid authorisation applies.

Applicants receiving a denial should carefully review the USCIS notice, including the stated reason and any available options or deadlines for responding. Whether a decision can be challenged, corrected or followed by a new application depends on the specific facts and applicable rules.

The available quarterly figures do not establish why EAD denials increased, whether the change reflects a particular policy shift or how many affected applicants subsequently obtained authorisation through another route. Those questions require further examination of USCIS data and policy guidance.

For Indian nationals facing long waits for permanent residency, the immediate lesson is to monitor work authorisation separately from the green-card case. A pending permanent-residency application and permission to remain employed are related but distinct parts of the US immigration process.

FAQs

1. Did the US deny 44% of green-card applications?

No. The reported 44% figure refers to denials among decisions on Form I-765 employment authorisation applications filed under the adjustment-of-status category. It is not the denial rate for green-card applications.

2. How many work-permit applications were denied in April-June 2026?

USCIS recorded 35,767 denials in the adjustment-of-status EAD category during the quarter.

3. How many applications remained pending?

The category had 671,362 pending applications, with a reported median processing time of 6.4 months.

4. Does an EAD denial mean a green-card application has been rejected?

No. Form I-765 and Form I-485 are separate applications. An EAD denial does not automatically mean that the underlying green-card application has been denied.

5. Are Indian applicants facing a 44% denial rate?

The reported figures cover the relevant applicant category overall and do not establish a separate denial rate for Indian nationals.

6. Can an Indian professional continue working after an EAD denial?

That depends on whether the individual has another valid basis for employment authorisation. The person should review the denial notice and seek qualified immigration advice before continuing work.

7. Does a pending EAD renewal automatically extend work authorisation?

Not in every case. Any automatic extension depends on the applicable rules and the applicant’s eligibility.

8. What should green-card applicants check first?

They should verify their current work authorisation, expiry date, renewal status and any alternative employment-authorisation basis that may apply to their circumstances.