Green Card Work Permits: USCIS Rejection Rate Surges to 44%

USCIS Work Permit Rejections Hit 44%

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied 35,767 work permit applications from Green Card applicants between April and June 2026, pushing the denial rate to approximately 44%. The latest figures mark a sharp increase from around 25% during the previous two quarters, raising concerns for foreign nationals relying on work authorisation while awaiting permanent residency decisions. 

Why Are Green Card Work Permit Denials Increasing?

USCIS data for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 shows a significant rise in denials for employment authorisation applications filed under the adjustment-of-status category.

Key figures include:

• 35,767 denials: Work permit applications rejected between April and June 2026.
• 153,039 applications received: Requests filed under Form I-765 for adjustment-of-status applicants.
• 46,405 approvals: Applications approved during the same quarter.
• 671,362 pending cases: Applications awaiting decisions at the end of the reporting period.
• 6.4 months: Median processing time for this work permit category.

The data confirms the increase in denials but does not specify a single cause behind the rise. 

What Causes USCIS to Deny a Green Card Work Permit?

Form I-765 is used to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which permits eligible foreign nationals to work in the US. For adjustment-of-status applicants, eligibility is linked to their pending Green Card application.

Potential issues in an individual case may include:

• Incomplete applications or missing supporting documents.
• Incorrect information or failure to meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
• Changes in the underlying immigration case that affect eligibility.

However, USCIS's published figures do not identify how many of the reported denials resulted from these issues. The 44% rate should not be interpreted as evidence that all Green Card applicants face the same risk.

How Can Green Card Applicants Avoid Work Permit Denials?

Applicants can take practical steps to reduce preventable errors:

• Check eligibility: Confirm that the correct EAD category applies to the case.
• Review Form I-765: Ensure all information is accurate and required sections are complete.
• Submit supporting documents: Follow the latest USCIS instructions for the relevant category.
• Monitor case updates: Respond promptly to official requests and keep track of application status.

These steps can help prevent avoidable problems, but they cannot guarantee approval.

What Does This Mean for Green Card Applicants?

The increase in Green Card work permit denials does not mean that 44% of Green Card applications were rejected. Work authorisation and permanent residency are separate decisions, and employment-based Green Card denials remained around 7% during the same quarter. 

Applicants tracking their Green Card processing time should distinguish between an EAD decision and the outcome of their application for a United States Green Card or US permanent residency. Those exploring employment-based routes should also review the relevant EB1A visa requirements and EB1A application criteria separately. Seeking an EB-1A best immigration consultant is a separate consideration and does not influence USCIS's adjudication standards.

As USCIS denial rates rise across several application categories, applicants should rely on official guidance and ensure their filings accurately reflect their individual circumstances.

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