USCIS Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization

Edition date

08/21/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Where to file

The filing address depends on your reason for applying and the eligibility category you entered in Question 27. Please check the filing locations for Form I-765 for a list of addresses.

If you are a replacing a card that has incorrect information, please see the Special Instructions provided below.

When to file

We generally recommend you file a Form I-765 to request a renewal Employment Authorization Document (EAD) up to 180 days before your current EAD expires. We generally do not backdate or postdate a renewal EAD to the end of your current EAD’s validity period.

Please refer to the Form I-765 instructions for information on other specific categories. To renew your Employment Authorization Document, file Form I-765 at least 90 days before the expiration.

Filing CategoryWhen to File(a)(20)You may file Form I-765 at the same time as Form 918, Supplement A, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of U-1 Recipient, or you may file Form I-765 later.(c)(3)(A)File Form I-765 up to 90 days before being enrolled for one full academic year, provided that the period of employment will not start before you have completed one full academic year.(c)(3)(B)File Form I-765 up to 90 days before, but no later than 60 days after, your program end date.

Filing fee

You can find the filing fee for Form I-765 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.

Initial evidence

View the checklist of required initial evidence.

Special instructions

E-Notification: If you want to receive an email and/or a text message that we have accepted your form at a USCIS lockbox, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and clip it to the first page of your form. Afghan Parolee If you are an Afghan national paroled into the United States and you are applying for employment authorization, you will need a Social Security number (SSN) to work in the United States.

Your SSN allows employers to report your earnings to the U.S. government. You must make an appointment to visit a Social Security Administration office in person to apply for your SSN after you receive your Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766).

Replacing a Card That Has Incorrect Information If the card we issued to you contains incorrect information that is not due to our error, you must use the filing locations for Form I-765 associated with your eligibility category to submit your form and filing fee. If the card we issued to you contains incorrect information that is due to our error, you do not need to file a new Form I-765 and filing fee.