Apply for a work permit (EAD) while your case is pending.
People with pending I-485, asylum applicants, DACA holders, TPS holders, and others with temporary status.
Form I-765 is used to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), commonly called a work permit. It is commonly filed alongside an I-485 application.
Determine your eligibility category
Complete I-765 with your eligibility category code
Submit with required photos and supporting documents
Attend biometrics if required
Receive EAD card by mail
Form I-765 uses specific eligibility category codes that determine which supporting evidence you need. The most common ones include:
(c)(9) — pending adjustment of status (I-485) applicants
(c)(8) — pending asylum applicants
(a)(12) / (c)(19) — TPS beneficiaries
(c)(33) — DACA recipients
Choosing the wrong category code is one of the most common reasons an I-765 gets rejected or delayed, since it determines exactly which evidence USCIS expects to see.
Most filers pay the standard rate. If you're filing under category (c)(9) — the standard pending-adjustment-of-status EAD most family- and employment-based applicants use — your fee is the regular $520 paper / $470 online rate, or $260 if filed concurrently with I-485.
Asylum, parole, and TPS categories pay more. Under the 2025 H.R. 1 law, initial EAD applications for asylum-based (c)(8), parole-based (a)(12)/(c)(11), and TPS-based (c)(19)/(c)(34) categories carry a separate statutory fee of $550 for the initial application and $275 for renewals or extensions — on top of, or in place of, the standard fee, and this fee generally cannot be waived or reduced.
If you're unsure which category and fee applies to you, check your exact eligibility code against the current USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) before filing.
Copy of your most recent immigration document (I-94, receipt notice, etc.)
Two passport-style photos
Evidence specific to your eligibility category code
Wrong eligibility category code. This single field drives the entire review — an incorrect code is a frequent cause of rejection.
Filing before the underlying application is pending. Some categories (like (c)(9)) require your I-485 to actually be filed and pending first.
Letting a prior EAD expire before renewal is approved. File your renewal well before expiration — processing delays can leave a gap in work authorization otherwise.
How long is an EAD valid? Typically 1-2 years depending on category, though some categories now receive longer validity periods — check your specific card for the exact expiration date.
Can I renew my EAD before it expires? Yes — USCIS generally recommends filing a renewal 180 days before expiration to avoid a gap in work authorization.
Is the EAD combined with Advance Parole? Some categories, like pending I-485 applicants, can receive a combined document sometimes informally called the "combo card" covering both work and travel authorization.
📄 Official Form on USCIS.gov →Use ClearPath's free tools to check your own situation
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