How long is I-765 taking right now?
Each form has a published range for every office, and where yours is handled can change it by months.
I-765 · Application for Employment Authorization
I-765: fee, documents and who can fileChecked automatically
USCIS posts
5 to 6.5 months
Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)] · Service Center Operations (SCOPS)
USCIS approval rates · I-765 · Q2 2026 (Apr–Jun)
84.5%
I-765 approval rate
2.11M
I-765 cases pending
Across every I-765 USCIS decided in the quarter, not a prediction for any one case.
See all approval ratesI-765 by category - fastest first
Pick one to see its dates above.
- Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] – Initial ApplicationService Center Operations (SCOPS)0.9–1 mo
- Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]Service Center Operations (SCOPS)5–6.5 mo
- Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)]Service Center Operations (SCOPS)6.5–10 mo
- Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)]Service Center Operations (SCOPS)2.5–17 mo
- All other applications for employment authorizationNational Benefits Center10.5–14.5 mo
- Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)]National Benefits Center12–16.5 mo
Form I-765 at a glance
Of the 16 categories USCIS lists for Form I-765, the shortest posted time is 0.9 to 1 months, for Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] – Initial Application; the longest is 18 to 28 months (1.5 to 2.3 years), for Based on being an L-2 spouse of an L-1 nonimmigrant [(a)(18)].
The last change ImmigraMate recorded to the posted range for I-765 at Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)] was on September 17, 2026. It now reads 5 to 6.5 months.
I-765 is the Application for Employment Authorization. I-765: fee, documents and who can file
Forms decided centrally, at the National Benefits Center or Service Center Operations. Here the category of work is what changes the answer, not the office.
USCIS publishes the time by which 80% and 93% of cases were completed. Confirm on USCIS's processing times page.
Questions about I-765 processing times
How long is Form I-765 taking right now?
For Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)], USCIS currently posts 5 to 6.5 months on Form I-765. These are the figures USCIS published in October 2026. Of the 16 categories USCIS lists for Form I-765, the shortest posted time is 0.9 to 1 months, for Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] – Initial Application; the longest is 18 to 28 months (1.5 to 2.3 years), for Based on being an L-2 spouse of an L-1 nonimmigrant [(a)(18)].
How much does Form I-765 cost?
The USCIS filing fee for Form I-765 is $520.
I-765: fee, documents and who can fileWhat if my I-765 is taking longer than the posted time?
Once your case is older than the upper end of the posted range, 6.5 months for Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)], USCIS accepts a case inquiry about it as outside normal processing times. Check your case status first: a recent update may already answer the question.
What each case status meansIf a case inquiry does not move it, you can ask your member of Congress to contact USCIS about the case for you.
How a congressional inquiry works