Go to the USCIS website and download Form I-765 after you’ve determined that you are eligible to work in the United States. Double-check all your answers and information to ensure accuracy. If filing using a dropbox, you must fill out a G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and attach it to the first page of your I-765 if you want to receive updates on the processing status.
Filing Fees
- If you are submitting by mail and want to receive electronic notifications, include Form G-114.
- The EAD serves as proof of work authorization for a specific period and is often required when applying for jobs or verifying eligibility to work under U.S. law.
- Working part-time, working online, or running your own business without authorization could have serious consequences.
- For any issue concerning your EAD or any other immigration matter, you can book a consultation with one of our lawyers today by simply filling out this free contact form.
- If you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may need to prove that you can work in the United States by presenting an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD).
You can use an EAD card to work for any employer in the United States. If you are a replacing a card that has incorrect information, please see the Special Instructions provided below. If you complete and print this form to mail it, make sure that the form edition date and page numbers are visible at the bottom of all pages and that all pages are from the same form edition. If any of the form’s pages are missing or are from a different form edition, we may reject your form.
Certain aliens who are in the United States may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Other aliens whose immigration status authorizes them to work in the United States without restrictions may also use Form I-765 to apply for an EAD that shows such authorization. Yes, you can have multiple EADs based on different eligibility categories. However, each EAD application must be filed separately, and you must meet the eligibility requirements for each category. To correct any errors on your EAD, submit a new Form I-765, along with a letter explaining the mistake and any supporting documentation to verify the correct information. In most cases, USCIS will issue a corrected EAD without charging an additional fee.
Asylees and refugees have the right to work in the U.S. as a part of their protected status, but obtaining an EAD can help them demonstrate their work authorization to potential employers. If you’re submitting a renewal and your EAD expires before you reapply, you shouldn’t work while the new I-765 is pending. The automatic EAD extension only covers renewals submitted before your current EAD expires.
Impact of EAD on Other Immigration Processes
Make sure to track your submission and keep a copy for your records. U.S. employers must ensure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work in the United States. Having an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD) is one way to prove that you are authorized to work in the United States for a specific time period. The EAD card is a key document in your employment journey in the U.S, and with the right preparation and support, you can successfully navigate the application process and confidently begin your career.
However, certain students may be able to use Form I-765 and receive an EAD. If you enter the U.S. as a refugee, the program or entity assisting you with the process may submit Form I-765 on your behalf before you arrive. If that didn’t happen, or if you need to renew your EAD, you should file Form I-765. You must have separate authorization to live in the U.S.—like asylum, temporary protected status (TPS) or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status—to use Form I-765. It’s of the utmost importance for non-citizens to seek legal work authorization before accepting any job, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Failure to do so can result in a permanent barring from ever reentering the United States.
To understand the broader context of DHS work authorization, including notations on Social Security cards, see our detailed guide. As a nonimmigrant visa holder, you may be able to work in the U.S. temporarily with a work permit (Employment Authorization Document or EAD). Learn how to find free or low-cost help from trusted immigration lawyers and legal representatives. To work in the United States, you employment authorization will also need a Social Security Number (SSN).
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply for renewal of an expired or expiring employment authorization card, the USCIS requires applicants file Form I-765. Generally, you should not file this form more than 180 days before your original EAD expires. The processing time for an EAD application varies based on the applicant’s eligibility category and the USCIS service center handling the case. You can check the current processing times on the USCIS website to get an estimated timeframe for your application.
If someone takes a job without getting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or another valid work permit, it can create serious issues with their immigration status. Working without authorization breaks immigration laws and could jeopardize their ability to stay in the country. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that proves a non-citizen’s legal right to work in the United States for a specific period of time.
Common Categories Eligible for a Work Permit
It is important to keep the EAD safe and secure, as it is a critical document for employment in the United States and is often used in legal and tax matters. Several federal lawsuits are currently pending across the United States, challenging the government’s decision to terminate these programs. As a result, the information provided here is subject to change based on the outcomes of these legal proceedings. VisaNation Law Group has a team of immigration lawyers who are highly experienced in EAD processing.
What is EAD? A guide to U.S. Work Authorization
You can avoid a delay or denial by ensuring everything is in place with the initial form. Before submitting, ensure you make and keep a copy of each of the documents and checks, as you may need them later. Other applicants not listed above may also be eligible to request a fee waiver, especially those experiencing financial hardship. Keep in mind, certain nonimmigrant visas do not require an EAD, as work authorization is included with the visa, such as an H-1B, L-1B, O, or P.
- To do this, you must answer “Yes” to the questions in Part 2, Item Numbers 27.a to 29 of Form I-765, which pertain to applying for an SSN and issuing a Social Security card.
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that grants the holder the right to work in the United States.
- If you have a Green Card, you also have the right to work in the U.S.
- To work in the United States, you will also need a Social Security Number (SSN).
We encourage you to use Case Status Online to find your USPS tracking number for EAD card delivery. If you have not received your EAD card within this time frame, please visit e-Request – Self Service Tools for instructions on how to submit an inquiry. Please ensure you have the correct mailing address on file with USCIS.
It can range from one year to several years and is subject to renewal. To apply for an EAD, you need to file Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with USCIS, along with required documents and fees, unless fee-exempt. You won’t be able to renew your EAD 180 days before it expires. Wait until there are 120 days left before it expires, and then submit your renewal application. Certain visa holders (like L2 visa holders) need an EAD before they are legally allowed to work in the U.S. An EAD is a document that grants its holder this authorization and right.
They have helped many of our clients file for and acquire their work permits without delay. For any issue concerning your EAD or any other immigration matter, you can book a consultation with one of our lawyers today by simply filling out this free contact form. Without a work permit, getting or remaining in employment in the U.S. is legally impossible for nonimmigrants. This may translate to a looming economic hardship for you and your dependents. A promptly and thoroughly filed I-765, with the help of a professional, will help you to avoid delay or denial in your application. It is, therefore, an applicant’s responsibility to file for renewal as early as possible to avoid delay.
What Happens After You Receive Your Employment Authorization Document?
Work Permits are typically valid for one or two years, depending on the applicant’s eligibility category. To renew your EAD, you must submit a new Form I-765 and the required supporting documents before your current EAD expires. Many noncitizens come to the United States to work, but you need authorization to legally do so. For some—but not all—immigrants, Form I-765 is the way to obtain permission from the U.S. government to work in the country. In general, only noncitizens whose immigration status doesn’t already include employment authorization should use the form. You do not need to apply for an EAD if you are a lawful permanent resident.