US Finalises End of 540-Day Work Permit Extension as Houthi Strike Hits Aramco HQ and Hormuz Ship Attacks Surge
Two stories are shaping the world news cycle on October 15, 2026: the United States has finalised a rule permanently ending the 540-day automatic extension of work permits for many immigrants, and tensions in the Gulf have escalated after a surge of ship attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and a Houthi strike on Saudi Aramco's headquarters.
US ends 540-day work permit extension
The Department of Homeland Security finalised a rule on October 14, 2026 that permanently adopts the restrictions on automatic extensions of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that took effect on October 30, 2025, according to Law Commentary and Fragomen.
- What changed: Eligible immigrants who file EAD renewals on or after October 30, 2025 can no longer keep working for up to 540 days while USCIS processes the application. Work authorisation generally ends when the existing card expires and resumes only when the renewal is approved, unless the person has another basis to work.
- What did not change: The rule does not cancel automatic extensions that took effect before October 30, 2025.
- Who is affected: Reports name H-4 spouses of foreign workers, adjustment-of-status (green card) applicants and certain asylum seekers.
- The background: USCIS temporarily raised the auto-extension period to 540 days in spring 2022 and made it permanent in December 2024, effective January 2025, before the Trump administration eliminated it by interim rule in October 2025.
- DHS reasoning: The department said the change lets it complete eligibility checks, vetting and screening before continued work authorisation, and described it as consistent with a Trump directive, per The Hans India.
- Advice from immigration lawyers: File renewals as early as possible to reduce gaps, per Fragomen and VisasUpdate.
One outlet, M9 News, also reported that the maximum EAD validity for renewals was cut earlier this year from five years to 18 months. Wipidia has only seen that in a single source.
Hormuz and Saudi Arabia: tensions rise
- Ship attacks: AP reported that more ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz in the past week than in all of September. Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy said on Wednesday that a cargo ship sank after hitting a naval mine, the first time Iran has reported such a sinking during the war, per OPB. Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre said a container ship was struck by an "unknown projectile," according to CNBC.
- Aramco strike: Saudi authorities said a Houthi strike late on Tuesday hit an administrative building of Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, causing a "limited fire" but no casualties, per AP. OPB cited two regional officials as saying the offices of the chief executive and other top executives on the top floors were damaged. The attack came during the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh.
- Saudi response: Al Jazeera's live coverage reported Saudi-led coalition strikes on Houthi sites. Windward's tracker says Saudi aircraft struck Sanaa on October 11, after Houthi strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 and 11 that killed at least 14 people.
- Iran's rhetoric: Iran said it is "counting the moments" until it can strike US warships, according to CNBC, while a top Iranian official said Iran must be prepared for war even as it negotiates with the US, per OPB.
- Oil: Prices remained elevated on Wednesday, AP reported.
Some claims, including casualty counts and who was responsible for individual ship incidents, come from governments and militant groups involved in the conflict and could not be independently verified here.
Why it matters
The immigration rule affects the stability of employment for people who depend on work permits while waiting for green cards or other benefits. The Gulf escalation threatens one of the world's main energy routes and has already pushed up oil prices, which affects fuel costs and inflation in energy-importing countries such as India.
Quick Facts
| US rule | Final rule published October 14, 2026 ending the 540-day automatic EAD extension |
| Applies to | EAD renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025 |
| Not affected | Extensions granted before October 30, 2025 |
| Groups named | H-4 spouses, green card applicants, some asylum seekers |
| Hormuz | More ships attacked in the past week than in all of September (AP) |
| Mine incident | Iran says a cargo ship sank after hitting a mine (October 14) |
| Aramco | Houthi strike hit an administrative building in Dhahran; no casualties |
| Riyadh airport strikes | At least 14 killed on October 10 and 11 (Windward) |
| Oil prices | Elevated |
This is a developing story based on reports from Law Commentary, Fragomen, The Hans India, AP via Inquirer, OPB, CNBC and Al Jazeera as of October 15, 2026, and may be updated.