U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the extension and expansion of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for certain Hong Kong residents. On Jan. 26, 2023, President Biden issued a memorandum extending and expanding DED for eligible Hong Kong residents for 24 months, which allows them to remain in the United States through Feb. 5, 2025, and work legally in the country.
Eligible Hong Kong residents do not need to apply for DED as they are covered under the terms described in the president’s directive. However, they may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. USCIS will automatically extend the validity of Hong Kong DED-based EADs through Feb. 5, 2025, for those who already have an EAD with an A-11 category code on the card and an expiration date of Feb. 5, 2023. Individuals who want a new DED-based EAD showing a Card Expires date of Feb. 5, 2025, must file Form I-765.
USCIS is also extending employment authorization for Hong Kong residents covered under DED and will provide prompt issuance of new or replacement documents when necessary. DHS may provide travel authorization at its discretion to those covered under DED for Hong Kong, and individuals who wish to travel outside of the United States based on DED must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to request advance parole.
