🇺🇸United States

I-765 Employment Authorization (EAD)

Work permit for asylum applicants, F-1 OPT, and I-485 filers

Medium~30 minWork PermitEADImmigrationEmployment

/ What is this form?

The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a work permit for people who are not permanent residents but are authorized to work. Common categories: pending I-485, asylum applicants, F-1 OPT students, and certain visa holder spouses.

/ Who needs this form?

Pending green card applicants (I-485)
Asylum applicants
F-1 students (OPT or STEM OPT)
Certain H-4, L-2, E visa spouses

/ What you need before you start

Passport photos

Copy of I-94

Supporting documents (varies by category)

Filing fee: $0–$410 depending on category

/ Step-by-step guide

1Determine Your Eligibility Category

Find your eligibility category code (e.g., (c)(9) for I-485 filers, (c)(8) for asylum, (c)(3)(B) for F-1 OPT). This is the most critical step.

2Complete Form I-765

Fill out I-765 online at my.uscis.gov or on paper. Enter your eligibility category code, personal details, and employment history.

3Take Passport Photos

Get two passport-style photos meeting USCIS specifications.

4Gather Supporting Documents

Include copies of I-94, passport, current status documents, and any category-specific documents.

5Submit and Track

File online or by mail. Track your case at my.uscis.gov. Processing takes 3–7 months.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Eligibility category	Code like (c)(9), (c)(8), (c)(3)(B)	Using the wrong category code is the number one reason for rejection

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Wrong eligibility category code

Not filing early enough (processing takes 3–7 months)

Letting EAD expire without filing renewal 180+ days before

/ Frequently asked questions

Can I work while EAD is pending?

Only if you have a valid current EAD. Some categories get automatic extensions if renewal is filed on time.