What is EAD?

What is EAD? A guide to U.S. Work Authorization

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Many immigrants come to the USA to work. If you are not a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, you must have a Work Authorization Document (EAD). Find information on how to obtain a work permit and renew it.

What is an EAD?

An EAD is an Employment Authorization Document or work license. To operate in the United States, you need to be a U.S. citizen, a legal irreversible local, or have a work license. An EAD proves you can lawfully work in the United States.

Employers should examine if you are authorized to work to follow the law and prevent charges. It is common for employers to ask throughout a task interview, « Are you lawfully authorized to work in the United States? »

The EAD is not specific to a company. You can use an EAD card to work for any employer in the United States.

EAD card

The EAD card includes your name, image, alien number, card number, date of birth, fingerprint, and expiration date. You can use the card as a type of recognition. It is not a valid file to return to the United States. The card is likewise called an I-766.

Who can get an EAD?

You will need to be in a qualified classification to get an EAD.

A few of these include:

– Refugee.
– Asylee.
– Humanitarian parole.
– Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
– Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
– DACA.
– VAWA.
– U and T visa.
– Pending asylum (150 days after filing).
– Withholding of deportation or removal.
– Certain employment-based non-immigrants.
– Spouses, fiances or dependents of specific authorized categories

Find a complete list of qualified classifications.

U.S. people and Permit holders do not need an EAD to work.

Asylum candidates

If you are an asylum applicant with a pending application, you must wait 150 days before obtaining an EAD. USCIS may decline your Form I-765 if you file it before the 150-day waiting duration.

Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is a helpful resource.

Refugees and asylees

Refugees and asylees are immediately authorized to work in the USA. You do not need to apply or pay a fee for an EAD.

If you are a refugee, USCIS will instantly process your Form I-765 as quickly as you arrive in the USA. Once your application is authorized, they will develop your EAD. You will get your EAD card in the mail within 30 days. You can use your Form I-94 as evidence you can lawfully work while you await your card.

If you are an asylee, you do not need to look for work permission. When you are approved asylum, you are right away licensed to work.

Afghan and Ukrainian parolees

Certain Afghan and Ukrainian parolees do not need to await approval of Form I-765 to work in the USA. Your unexpired Form I-94 can be evidence that you can work for the first 90 days at your job. After that, you will require to show an EAD and unrestricted Social Security card.

USCIS is also providing cost exemptions and faster processing. More information is readily available on their Afghan Nationals and Uniting for Ukraine pages.

How to make an application for an EAD

If you are not a refugee or asylee, you will require to apply for a work license with USCIS.

Here is a list of actions to follow:

1. Read the instructions. The form is complicated. It is suggested to get legal help to avoid mistakes.

2. Gather the needed files. You will require a copy of a government-issued ID and passport-size images. There are other needed documents according to your category.

3. Complete and sign Form I-765. You can do this online or by printing the kind. Ensure to answer all the questions. If you print the kind, ensure to sign it by hand.

4. Pay the filing fee. You must pay $470 for online applications or $530 for paper filings. Attach your filing fee receipt to your EAD application. You might not need to pay the fee if you have a certain immigration status or have an approved cost waiver.

5. Make a copy of the type. This is practical if you require to renew your EAD or if it gets lost or taken.

6. Submit your type. You have the alternative of submitting by mail or online. If you are submitting by mail and wish to get electronic alerts, include Form G-114.

7. Save your USCIS receipt number. This is how you can track the status.

8. You should await approval before you can begin working. You can begin looking for a job while you wait.

If you are informed that you require biometrics services, you will get an appointment notification with directions. This will cost an extra $85. Asylum hunters with a pending application do not need to submit this charge. Paying the incorrect amount might trigger your application to be turned down.

Wait time for an EAD

The wait time can vary by migration status and service center. You can check general case processing times online. You can also see projected wait times for your case by logging into your myUSCIS account. After USCIS receives your application, they will likewise send you a receipt number to track the status of your application.

If you are a refugee, you will get your EAD within one month of showing up in the USA.

If you have a pending asylum application, the processing time is 30 days. This is in addition to the 150 days you must wait to use. The time during which an asylum application is pending before getting an EAD is called the « 180-day asylum EAD clock. »

If you are a health care or childcare employee, you can get a quicker or employment expedited process if you have one of the following:

– An initial EAD kind that has been pending for over 90 days.
– A pending renewal EAD type with an ended or expiring EAD within one month or less

EAD expiration

An EAD can now be valid for up to 5 years depending upon your immigration status. A new rule states your EAD will be legitimate for 5 years if you were:

– Admitted or paroled as a refugee.
– Granted asylum.
– Granted withholding of deportation or elimination, change of status, or cancellation of elimination.
– Have a pending application for asylum or withholding of elimination, cancellation of elimination, or modification of status

This guideline only applies to applications filed on or after September 27, 2023. It does not apply to EADs provided before this date. Other migration statuses, such as TPS, might have EADs that are valid for various amounts of time. USCIS might also automatically extend EADs by nation with TPS.

EAD renewal

If your EAD is expiring quickly or is ended, employment you can make an application for a renewal. You should send a brand-new Form I-765. You will need to pay the application cost once again unless you meet specific exceptions or have an approved cost waiver.

You can submit your application for renewal starting 180 days before the expiration date. It is best to use early so you do not have a gap in employment permission.

Currently, for those in a qualified category, your EAD will immediately be extended for 540 days if:

– You filed to renew your EAD on or after October 27, 2023, and it was still pending on April 8, 2024.
– You submit to renew your EAD after April 8, 2024

Starting January 13, 2025, the 540-day automatic extension will also use to new renewal applications in addition to pending applications because May 4, employment 2022.

Those eligible for the automated extension consist of refugees, asylees, pending asylum candidates, TPS holders, pending TPS preliminary candidates, VAWA petitioners, and others. See the complete list of qualified classifications and more information.

The USCIS EAD Extension Calculator can help you find out the appropriate expiration date.

Social security number

To operate in the United States, you will likewise require a Social Security Number (SSN). You can request your SSN and employment EAD card at the same time with Form I-765. A Social Security number is utilized to report your salary to the government and figure out benefits.

Find help

It is necessary to seek legal suggestions from a migration lawyer or accredited representative if you have any questions or issues. Many companies and legal representatives provide totally free or low-priced legal services.

Help with paying the cost

You can apply for a cost waiver if you have a specific family size and earnings. You need to submit Form I-912 with your EAD application or submit a letter requesting for a charge waiver together with the necessary proof.

Lost or taken EAD card

You can get a replacement EAD if your card was stolen, lost, or destroyed. You will require to file a brand-new Form I-765 to replace an EAD.

Working without permission

Many individuals do not have legal migration status in the United States and for that reason can not get an EAD. They frequently work jobs that are « off the books » or get paid with cash. You can find more info for undocumented workers.

Working or offering a service without the correct documents protests U.S. labor and immigration laws. Working part-time, working online, or running your own organization without permission could have major effects. Your visa might get canceled or you might be deported.

Learn how to find free or low-cost help from trusted immigration lawyers and legal representatives.

The details on this page originates from USCIS and other relied on sources. We aim to to understand information that is upgraded regularly. This info is not legal advice.