How to apply for a work permit (EAD)
The U.S. work permit is a card — the employment authorization document — and one form stands behind it: the I-765. Who may apply is categorical, the fee depends on the situation, and the card runs on its own clock. This page maps the path at the goal level; the form guide in the related pages walks the filing itself. Every claim is cited; general process description, not advice about any individual case.
Who applies — the category system
Work-permit eligibility isn't one rule — it's a list of categories in the I-765 instructions, each with a code, its own evidence, and its own rules. Whether a given situation fits a category is exactly the kind of question the instructions (and for complicated situations, an attorney) answer; among the categories this site serves are applicants with a pending green card application and DACA recipients.
What it costs
Under the current G-1055 schedule: $520 on paper or $470 online in the general category — or $260 for applicants with a pending I-485 filed with fee on or after April 1, 2024. USCIS fees change periodically — before filing, verify current amounts on the official USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) at uscis.gov/g-1055.
Free. About 4 minutes. See your forms and your total cost before you pay anything.
The card and its clock
The EAD arrives as a card with its own printed expiration date, tied to the category it was granted under. Renewals are category-specific — the DACA renewal guide in the related pages covers that path's timing, and the form guide covers the I-765 mechanics for the rest.
Know exactly what your case needs. Before you file anything.
Free 4-minute assessment. No card required.
What form is the work permit?
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization — the EAD card is what it produces.
Who can apply for a work permit?
Applicants in the categories the I-765 instructions list — each category has its own code, evidence, and rules. Pending-I-485 applicants and DACA recipients are two of them.
How much does a work permit cost?
$520 paper / $470 online generally, or $260 with a post-April-2024 pending I-485. Fees change — verify at uscis.gov/g-1055.
How long does the card last?
The EAD carries its own printed expiration date, tied to its category; renewal rules are category-specific.