Prepare Your USCIS Form I-765Employment Authorization Application

If you’re an immigrant who wants to work in the United States but does not have a permanent resident card (green card) yet, your visa may not allow you to work. Some kinds of visas, like the H-1B, allow an employer to sponsor you, but many do not.

If your visa forbids the right to work, you can apply for an Employment Authorization Card by filing Form I-765 and get it approved. Your Employment Authorization Card renewal will need to be done every year or every two years if you have a green card application in process.

An Employment Authorization Card on an American flag. Be sure to apply for your EAD renewal before it expires!

Start your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Card online. We’ll help you in determining your employment authorization eligibility and assist you with USCIS processing procedures.

Easily prepare your application for employment authorization simply and accurately today! Our step-by-step system will assist you when completing your official USCIS application online.

Why Do I Need An Employment Authorization Card?

In the United States, all employers are required to check for citizenship status before hiring a worker. They need this so they don’t hire illegally and to process your taxes correctly.

Your Employment Authorization Card, also known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), serves as proof that you can work as an immigrant.

Who Is Eligible to File USCIS Form I-765?

If you're not a U.S. citizen, you'll likely fall under one of the following three categories of individuals who are eligible to work within the U.S.

• Category 1: You're authorized to work within the U.S. due to your current immigration status. (e.g. permanent residents)
• Category 2: You're authorized to work for a selected employer as a result of your nonimmigrant status. (e.g. H-1B visa holders)
• Category 3: You're in an immigration category that requires you to request a work authorization document in order to work in the U.S.

Those in Category 3 will need to file USCIS Form I-765 to be able to work in the United States. Even if you have a green card application in process, you must have a valid EAD to work until you get your green card. Keep renewing your Employment Authorization Card until then.

These qualifying visa categories are allowed to submit an Employment Authorization application:

• E-1/E-2 spouses
• F-1
• J-2
• K-1, K-2 or K-3
• L-1 spouses
• M-1

You can also submit an EAD application to obtain an Employment Authorization document if you’re counted in one of these statuses

• DACA recipients
• Asylee and Refugee
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipient
• Applicant waiting for Adjustment of Status

How to Apply for an Employment Authorization Card

The form for getting an EAD or renewing your current one is the same. All you have to do is file USCIS Form I-765 with the proper documentation and fees. If you’re approved, you’ll receive your EAD in the mail. Be sure to have your correct mailing address on your forms! Applicants should:

• Complete Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document.
• Submit the filing fee(s) with their application along with any required evidence documents.
• Sign and mail Form I-765 to the correct USCIS filing location according to your form instructions.

FileRight can help you file this form properly and quickly so that you don’t have to worry about making a mistake. We have the proper forms and instructions in multiple languages, including Spanish.

What are the document requirements in submitting my application?

You will need to send a few other materials for your Employment Authorization Document renewal. USCIS requires you to include a copy of each of these:

You will also need to include two passport-style photos taken within the last 30 days as well as a check or money order to pay the USCIS filing fee.

USCIS Filing Fees for Employment Authorization Document

The FileRight EAD renewal application package has a preparation fee of $245.

The USCIS filing fees to file Form I-765 are $410. You’ll also have to pay an additional $85 ffee if the USCIS needs your biometrics.

The USCIS won’t refund your money, even if your application is denied! This is why we recommend going through our service. We’ll help ensure your application is correct and complete so that you won’t waste money if there is an error.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once the USCIS receives your application for EAD renewal, they will process your application. You should expect to receive the following correspondence.

• A receipt notice of your forms and worksheet
• A notice for your biometrics appointment date
• A written notice of a decision

If you need to get biometrics, you will need to do that before you get your Employment Authorization Card. Once you’ve done this once, you should not need to do it again for the USCIS.