Work Permit

How do I renew my work permit?

I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Form I-765 

Purpose of Form

Certain people who are temporarily in the United States may file this form to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Other people who are authorized to work in the United States without restrictions must also use this form to apply for a document that shows such authorization.

Where to File

E-File Your Application: Applicants in certain eligibility categories may be eligible to file this form online.

Mail a Paper Application: The filing address depends on the eligibility category you entered in Question 16. Please check the Filing Addresses for Form I-765 for a list of mailing addresses

Filing Fee

The filing fee for Form I-765 is $410. If you request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals, category (c)(33), you must also pay an $85 biometric services fee for a total of $495. There is no biometric services fee for any other employment category. Some filing types are fee exempt. See the form instructions for more information.

Special Instructions

U.S. employers must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work in the United States. Having an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD) is one way to prove that you are authorized to work in the United States for a specific time period.

To request an EAD, you must file  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You will need to apply for an EAD if you:

  • Are authorized to work in the United States because of your immigration status or circumstances (for example, you are an asylee, refugee, or U nonimmigrant) and need evidence of that employment authorization, or

  • Are required to apply for permission to work; in other words, you need to request employment authorization itself. For example:

    • You have a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

    • You have a pending Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.

    • You have a nonimmigrant status that allows you to be in the United States but does not allow you to work in the United States without first seeking permission from USCIS (such as an F-1 or M-1 student).

You do not need to apply for an EAD if you are a lawful permanent resident. Your Green Card (Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card) is evidence of your employment authorization. You also do not need to apply for an EAD if you have a nonimmigrant visa that authorizes you to work for a specific employer (for example, you have an H-1B, L-1B, O, or P visa).