Employment Authorization (EAD / I-765) and categories

The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a photo identification card (Form I-766) showing that you may work in the United States for a certain period. You apply for the card using Form I-765. This page explains which category to apply under, when to apply, the fees effective as of October 16, 2026, card validity periods, renewals, and common mistakes.

• Required: people who must obtain authorization before working. Examples: people awaiting a green card application (I-485), people awaiting an asylum application (I-589), and F-1 students seeking OPT.
• May be obtained as documentation: people who may work based on their status but want to demonstrate this with a card. Examples: refugees, asylees, and L-2 and E spouses.
• Not required: green card holders (the card is proof of work authorization) and people in statuses such as H-1B, L-1, O, and P that permit work only for a specific employer. These people do not use Form I-765.
• For which group your status falls into, see 5.1 Who may work.

• (a)(3) refugee, (a)(5) asylee, (a)(10) person granted withholding of removal.
• (a)(6) K-1 fiancé(e) / K-2 child; (a)(9) K-3 spouse / K-4 child.
• (a)(17) E spouse and (a)(18) L-2 spouse: optional card.
• (c)(3)(A) pre-completion OPT, (c)(3)(B) post-completion OPT, (c)(3)(C) 24-month STEM OPT extension.
• (c)(3)(iii) F-1 severe economic hardship authorization.
• (c)(5) J-2 spouse and child.
• (c)(6) M-1 practical training.
• (c)(8) pending asylum application.
• (c)(9) pending green card application (I-485).
• (c)(11) parolees.
• (c)(26) eligible H-4 spouses.
• (c)(35) worker with an approved I-140 experiencing compelling circumstances; (c)(36) the worker's spouse and child.
  • Initial application requirements for the principal applicant: not having filed I-485, an approved I-140, valid E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, O-1, or L-1 status in the United States, and compelling circumstances.
• Only one category is entered in Item 27 on the form. The codes for pending and approved applications are different: pending asylum (c)(8), granted asylum (a)(5).
• The list of all categories is in the I-765 instructions and 8 CFR 274a.12.

• Pre-completion OPT (c)(3)(A): no more than 90 days before completing one full academic year. Employment may not begin before that year is completed.
• Post-completion OPT (c)(3)(B): between 90 days before and 60 days after the program end date, and within 30 days after the DSO enters the recommendation in SEVIS.
• STEM OPT (c)(3)(C): no more than 90 days before the current OPT expires and within 60 days after the DSO recommendation.
• Asylum (c)(8): 150 days after filing. A form filed earlier may be rejected. If you received a "Recommended Approval" from the asylum office, you may apply without waiting.
• People awaiting a green card (c)(9): together with or after I-485. If filing later, include a copy of the I-485 receipt notice.
• H-4 (c)(26): may be filed at the same time as your spouse's I-129 and your I-539.
• Renewal: you may apply 180 days before the card expires. USCIS says to apply no later than 90 days before expiration.

1. Determine your category. Find the documents specifically required for your category in the "Who May File" section of the instructions.
2. Use the correct form edition. USCIS accepts only the 08/21/25 edition; it does not accept the 09/15/26 edition. The edition date appears at the bottom of every page; all pages must be from the same edition.
3. Complete the form. In the "Reason for Applying" section, select initial application, renewal, or replacement. Enter a valid U.S. mailing address; your card will be sent there.
4. Prepare the documents:
   • a copy of your I-94 record, passport, or travel document (not required for the (c)(9) category)
   • front and back copies of your previous EAD; for an initial application, a photo ID (such as the identity page of a passport)
   • Two identical, color, 2×2-inch (approximately 5×5 cm) passport-style photographs. Recently taken, with a white or off-white background, printed on thin glossy paper, and unretouched. Write your name and, if applicable, your A-Number on the back in pencil.
   • evidence specific to your category (for example, a DSO-approved I-20 for OPT or your spouse's I-140 approval for H-4)
   • Form I-765WS for categories requiring proof of economic need (income, expenses, and assets)
5. Include a full English translation for every document in a foreign language. The translator must certify in writing and sign that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate.
6. Pay the fee. For applications by mail, use a card (Form G-1450) or payment from a U.S. bank account (Form G-1650).
7. Sign the form. An unsigned form will be rejected. A typed or stamped name does not substitute for a signature. A parent, guardian, or custodian may sign for a child under 14.
8. Submit it:
   • By mail: the address varies by category. USCIS changed its addresses on October 7, 2026; items mailed to the old address through November 9, 2026, are accepted.
   • Online: OPT categories, (a)(12), (c)(8), (c)(11), and (c)(19) may be filed online; a PDF upload option is available for (c)(9). Other categories are filed on paper.
   • Attach Form G-1145 to the first page of the form to receive the receipt notice by email or text message.
9. Attend a biometrics appointment if scheduled. Failure to attend may result in rejection of your application.
10. Track it: using the receipt number on the USCIS Case Status page.
11. After approval: the card is generally produced within two weeks and sent by USPS Priority Mail. Do not contact USCIS until 30 days have passed after approval.
12. If your address changes, notify USCIS within 10 days. Do not send an address change to the lockbox.

• General fee (initial application, renewal, replacement): $520 (paper) or $470 (online). OPT, J-2, H-4, and (c)(35) are subject to this fee.
• (c)(9) people awaiting a green card:
  • If you filed I-485 with a fee on or after April 1, 2024, and the case is pending: $260
  • If you filed I-485 with a fee between July 30, 2007, and April 1, 2024: $0
• (c)(8) people awaiting asylum:
  • initial EAD: filing fee $0 + additional H.R. 1 fee of $570 (since October 16, 2026; the previous amount was $560)
  • renewal: $520 / $470 + additional fee of $275
• Parole and TPS: initial EAD $520 / $470 + additional fee of $570; renewal $520 / $470 + additional fee of $280.
• Initial EAD for refugees and asylees: free.
• Card printed incorrectly or not delivered due to USCIS error: free.
• H.R. 1 additional fees are paid separately and cannot be waived. Eligible applicants may request a waiver of other fees using Form I-912; anyone requesting a waiver must apply on paper, not online.
• An application submitted with the wrong fee will be rejected. The new additional fees apply to applications mailed on or after October 16, 2026.

• 18 months: refugees (a)(3), asylees (a)(5), people granted withholding of removal (a)(10), people awaiting asylum (c)(8), and people awaiting a green card (c)(9). This period is the same for the initial card and renewal.
• Post-completion OPT: up to 12 months. STEM OPT: 24 months. OPT cards are not renewed.
• J-2 (c)(5): two years or until the end of J-1 status, whichever comes first.
• H-4 (c)(26): until the end of H-4 status; it may not exceed the duration of the spouse's H-1B.
• L-2 (a)(18) and E spouse (a)(17): for the duration of status.
• (c)(35) and (c)(36): one year.
• Parole and TPS: for the parole or TPS period, up to one year.

• For renewal, submit a new Form I-765 and the fee. Include a copy of your previous card.
• For renewal applications filed on or after October 30, 2025, the card's validity no longer extends automatically. This rule became permanent under the final rule effective October 14, 2026.
• If the old card expires before the new card arrives and you have no other work authorization, you must stop working.
• Exceptions: extensions provided by law and extensions for TPS announced in the Federal Register. The 180-day continuation of employment in STEM OPT applications is a separate rule; see 2.2 Student visa (F-1).
• USCIS does not backdate or forward-date a new card based on the expiration of the old card for renewals filed more than 180 days early.

• Lost, stolen, or damaged card: request a replacement by filing a new Form I-765 and paying the fee.
• If the error was yours: apply with a new form, the fee, and the incorrect card.
• If the error was USCIS's: no fee is required. Select "EAD Replacement due to USCIS Error" in USCIS's online service request. Send the incorrect card only by USPS to: USCIS, Lee's Summit Production Facility, Attn: I-765 Replacement Cards, 7 Product Way, Lee's Summit, MO 64002. Processing takes approximately 30 days after the card is received.
• If the card did not arrive: report it using e-Request. If the issue was caused by USCIS or the mail, you generally will not pay a new fee.

• USCIS Contact Center — application, address, and form questions
  • Phone: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY +1 800 767 1833); live assistance Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. The automated system is available 24 hours.
  • Outside the United States: +1 212 620 3418
• Mailing addresses: by category on the I-765 mailing addresses page.
• Online account: Create a USCIS online account.

• Using an old or unaccepted form edition (09/15/26).
• Entering more than one category in Item 27 or entering the code for an approved application instead of a pending application.
• Missing the transition to the new addresses and sending the form to the old address.
• Forgetting to pay the H.R. 1 additional fee separately.
• Missing the 30-day deadline after the DSO recommendation for OPT.
• Filing the renewal late and relying on an automatic extension.
• Starting work before the card arrives.

• Can I work in any job with an EAD? Generally yes, unless a restriction is printed on the card. OPT cards are for jobs related to your field of study.
• How long will my application take? You can see current processing times by selecting your category in the USCIS processing times tool.
• Can I work with my receipt notice? No. For renewals after October 30, 2025, the receipt does not extend the card's validity. For an initial application, you may not work before the card arrives.
• What happens to my EAD if I travel abroad? Check your status and travel authorization before leaving. For people with a pending I-485, see 3.8 Application route and 10.7 Departure from and return to the United States.
• Will I also receive an SSN card when I get an EAD? The current form edition does not have a section to request a Social Security card. Apply to the SSA after the card arrives. See 5.3 How to obtain a Social Security number (SSN).

• Form I-765 (PDF)
• Form I-765 instructions (PDF)
• Form I-765WS, economic need worksheet (PDF)
• Document checklist for I-765
• I-765 mailing addresses
• USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (PDF)
• USCIS Case Status · USCIS processing times