Application for Employment Authorization (EAD)
Authorization to work in the United States.
When this applies to you
- You filed an I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
- You're an F-1 student (OPT / STEM OPT)
- You're an asylum applicant or TPS beneficiary
- You hold a status authorizing an EAD request
- You need to renew or replace an EAD card
Documents you'll need
You upload these while filling out the form. You can start now and add them as you go.
- Your Form I-94, passport or travel document
At least one of: Form I-94 front and back (or a printout of your electronic I-94 from cbp.gov/i94), your passport photo page, or your travel document.
- Your current work permit (EAD), front and back
Required for a renewal.
- Your last EAD, or else a government-issued identity document
Front and back of your last work permit if you ever had one. Otherwise: passport, birth certificate with photo ID, visa issued by a foreign consulate, or national ID with photo or fingerprint. The copy must clearly show your face, name and date of birth. Not needed under (c)(33): the identity documents filed with Form I-821D are enough.
- Your previous work permits (optional)Optional
If you still have them.
- Evidence of your other names
For example a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce documents, government ID or passport identity page.
- Two passport-style photographsOptional
To go in the envelope, not uploaded: two identical recent color photos, 2x2 inches, full face, white to off-white background, thin glossy paper, unmounted and unretouched. Head 1 to 1 3/8 inches from top of hair to chin, eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo, head bare unless worn for religious reasons. Lightly print your name and A-Number on the back in pencil or felt pen.
- Your Form I-485 receipt notice
The Form I-797C you received after filing your I-485, or other evidence it is pending. If your I-485 is with an immigration judge (EOIR), include proof of the proceedings, of filing with the court, and that it remains pending.
- Proof that you were granted asylum
One of: Form I-94 stamped with asylee status, a USCIS asylum approval letter, an immigration judge's order granting asylum, or a Form I-797 approving your derivative status on Form I-730.
- Proof of your refugee status
One of: your stamped Form I-94, your Final Notice of Eligibility for Resettlement (approval letter), or a Form I-797 approving your derivative refugee status on Form I-730.
- Evidence that your asylum application is pending
If you filed with USCIS: the Acknowledgement of Receipt and your interview or biometrics notice. If with an immigration judge (EOIR): evidence the I-589 was lodged or filed. If denied by the judge and appealed: evidence the appeal remains pending. With a Recommended Approval notice, include it: the 150-day wait does not apply.
- Court records for every arrest or conviction
Certified copies of all arrest reports, court dispositions, sentencing documents and any other relevant documents.
- Evidence that you filed a complete asylum application (optional)Optional
Not required at filing for ABC class members, but it speeds up processing.
- The immigration judge's order granting withholding
A copy of the signed order granting withholding of deportation or removal.
- Your Form I-821 (TPS), or evidence it was received or approved
Include Form I-821 if you are filing it now, otherwise its receipt or approval notice. If an immigration judge or the BIA granted you TPS and this is your first EAD or first re-registration: a copy of that order. Also follow the Federal Register notice for your country.
- Your Form I-20 endorsed by your DSO
With the OPT recommendation entered in SEVIS. File the I-765 within 30 days of that recommendation.
- Evidence of one full academic year of full-time enrollment
At a SEVP-approved school. The year may have been completed in another valid status.
- Your previous CPT or OPT authorizations (if any)Optional
- Evidence your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List
For example your diploma or transcript showing the major. Your DSO's STEM recommendation must be in SEVIS: file within 60 days.
- If based on a previously earned STEM degree: that degree and the school's accreditationOptional
A copy of the degree, and evidence the institution is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and SEVP-certified.
- Proof of your H-4 status
Your current Form I-797 for Form I-539, or Form I-94 showing your H-4 admission or latest extension.
- Your marriage certificate
- Basis for authorization: your spouse's approved I-140 or AC21 extension
Either the I-797 approving your H-1B spouse's I-140; or, if extended under AC21 sections 106(a) and (b), their passports, I-94s and I-797s for Form I-129, with evidence of the labor certification or I-140 filed at least 365 days earlier.
- Proof of your E or L status
Your Form I-94, passport or travel document.
- Your spouse's E or L status, and your marriage certificate
Your spouse's Form I-94, passport or travel document, plus your marriage certificate.
- Evidence of your suspension or cancellation of removal application
Non-NACARA: evidence that you are in removal proceedings, that the fees were paid (or the judge's fee waiver), and that your EOIR-40 or EOIR-42B was properly filed with the court. For NACARA 203: file the I-765 with your Form I-881.
- Evidence of your parole
Your valid, unexpired Form I-94, passport or travel document showing parole for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
- Your Form I-821D (DACA)
Filed together with this I-765.
- Form I-765WS (economic necessity worksheet)
Your current annual income, expenses and assets. Supporting documents are optional.
- The approval notice of the VAWA self-petition (Form I-360)
- Your E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, O-1 or L-1 status, and your I-140 approval
For an initial application, the I-94 for that admission or your current I-797 for Form I-129. Always: the I-797 approving your I-140.
- Evidence of compelling circumstances
Any credible supporting evidence. Not needed for a renewal based on your priority date being within one year of the Visa Bulletin cut-off.
- Your relationship to the (c)(35) principal and evidence of their application
Marriage certificate (and termination of prior marriages) or birth certificate; your spouse's or parent's (c)(35) EAD, or the I-797 for their pending I-765; for an initial application, your I-94 or your I-797 for Form I-129 or I-539.
- Court records for every arrest or conviction
Certified copies of all arrest reports, court dispositions and sentencing documents, even if the records were sealed or expunged.
- The evidence required for your category
Those listed for your code under "Who May File Form I-765?" in the instructions.
How the filing works
- 9 guided sections in your language. We only ask the questions that apply to you.
- Your answers are saved as you go, so you can stop and come back
- We fill the official USCIS PDF and you sign it online