Employment
Form I-765
Application for Employment Authorization
Used to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that allows foreign nationals to work legally in the United States.
- Filing fee
- $520
- Biometrics
- No fee
Who can file
- Pending I-485 applicants
- Asylum applicants (after 150 days)
- H-4, L-2, E, and other dependent visa holders
- DACA recipients
- TPS beneficiaries
Send with it
- Copy of I-94
- Copy of most recent EAD (if renewal)
- Passport-style photos
- Evidence of eligibility category
- Copy of pending I-485 receipt (if applicable)
Worth knowing
- Not free with an I-485 since April 1, 2024 - the fee is $260 with a pending I-485, otherwise $520 paper / $470 online
- Apply for renewal 6 months before your current EAD expires
- Keep copies of the receipt notice - it may extend your work authorization automatically
- Check if your category qualifies for automatic 180-day extension
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong eligibility category code
- Applying too late and having a gap in work authorization
- Not including proof of eligibility
- Filing with the incorrect fee
Questions
- How much does Form I-765 cost?
- The USCIS filing fee for Form I-765 is $520.
- How long does Form I-765 take?
- Typically 3 to 10 months, depending on the office and the category. Check the current USCIS times for your office before you plan around it.
Often filed together with
Related forms
Fees are as published by USCIS. Confirm on USCIS's fee schedule (G-1055) before you pay - a wrong fee gets a filing rejected. General information, not legal advice.