Application for Employment Authorization
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File I-765 with Ezel
Fill I-765 with Ezel
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What is I-765?
USCIS Form I-765 lets a noncitizen ask for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which proves you are allowed to work in the United States. You file I-765 either when you have a status that gives you work authorization (categories like c.8 pending asylum, c.9 pending I-485, a.5 asylee, c.3.B F-1 OPT, c.3.C F-1 STEM OPT) or when you have a status that requires asking USCIS first (most c. categories). The form is also used to renew or replace an EAD. Your eligibility category (item 27) decides what evidence you must include and what filing fee you owe. Read the official Who May File Form I-765 instructions before picking a category; the category drives everything else.
What happens if you miss the deadline: Missing the renewal window means a gap in work authorization; some categories qualify for an automatic extension up to 540 days, others do not. F-1 OPT applications filed late may be denied without refund.
How to file
- Filing fee
- Standard fee under the April 2024 USCIS final rule: $520 paper, $470 online. Biometrics is bundled into the base fee for most categories (no separate $85 line item). Fee-exempt categories include c.8 (asylum applicant), a.3 (refugee), a.4 (paroled refugee), a.10 (withholding of removal), a.11 (deferred enforced departure), c.11 (parolee, in some scenarios), and certain c.9 (concurrent with I-485) cases. Check the current fee in Form G-1055 or at uscis.gov/feecalculator before mailing; fees change annually. Use Form I-912 to request a fee waiver if you cannot pay.
- Filing method
- mail (USCIS lockbox or service center), online (my.uscis.gov, for eligible categories)
- Filing deadline
- No statutory filing deadline for an initial application. For renewals, USCIS recommends filing 180 days before the current EAD expires; eligible categories receive an automatic extension up to 540 days under 8 CFR 274a.13(d) (per the 2024 USCIS rule extending the original 180-day extension). For F-1 OPT (c.3.B), file within 30 days of the DSO recommendation in SEVIS and not more than 90 days before the program end date. For F-1 STEM OPT (c.3.C), file no more than 90 days before the current OPT expires. For c.8 (asylum applicant), wait until 150 days have passed since USCIS or EOIR received your asylum application and the application is still pending (the 150-day asylum EAD clock).
- How to serve
- Not applicable. I-765 is filed directly with USCIS; there is no party to serve.
- Wet signature
- Yes, sign in pen after printing.
- Notarization
- No
- Original and copies
- Original to USCIS lockbox or service center per the I-765 instructions for your eligibility category. Keep a copy of the entire packet for your records, including a copy of the signed form, all supporting evidence, the receipt for any fee paid, and any tracking number from USPS or courier.
Don't memorize the rules. Ezel walks you through I-765 field by field, flags what the AI review treats as a blocker, and renders a court-ready PDF.
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Item 1: initial, replacement, or renewal. The category drives evidence and fees.
- Picking 'replacement' when the EAD has not been issued yet (the right pick is 'initial'). Picking 'renewal' for a different category than the current EAD (each category change is a new initial application).
Item 1a Family Name. Match passport spelling exactly.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
Item 1b Given Name.
Item 1c Middle Name.
Item 2a first 'other name' family name.
- Forgetting maiden names is the most common omission. USCIS background checks pick this up and may RFE.
Item 2b first 'other name' given name.
Item 2c first 'other name' middle name.
Item 3a second 'other name' family name.
Item 3b second 'other name' given name.
Item 3c second 'other name' middle name.
Item 4a third 'other name' family name.
Item 4b third 'other name' given name.
Item 4c third 'other name' middle name.
Item 5a In Care Of name.
Item 5b mailing street number and name.
- Listing a P.O. box without a separate physical address. USCIS requires both.
Item 5c unit type (Apt / Ste / Flr).
Item 5c unit number.
Item 5d city or town.
Item 5e state.
Item 5f ZIP code.
Item 6 yes/no: mailing same as physical?
- If P.O. box used as mailing, 'No' must be selected and item 7 (physical address) filled.
Item 7a physical street.
Item 7b physical unit type.
Item 7b physical unit number.
Item 7c physical city.
Item 7d physical state.
Item 7e physical ZIP.
Item 8 A-Number.
- Leaving blank when you have a prior EAD or pending I-485; the A-Number is on those documents and USCIS expects it.
Item 9 USCIS Online Account number.
Item 10 sex.
Item 11 marital status.
Item 12 yes/no: previously filed I-765?
Item 13 SSN if known.
Item 14a country of citizenship.
- Writing the country of birth instead of citizenship; these can differ.
Item 14b second country of citizenship.
Item 15a city of birth.
Item 15b state or province of birth.
Item 15c country of birth.
Item 16 date of birth.
Item 17 I-94 number.
- Listing the visa number rather than the I-94 number. Look up your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
Item 18 passport number.
Item 19 travel document number.
Item 20 country that issued passport / travel document.
Item 21 expiration date of passport / travel document.
Item 22 date of last arrival.
Item 23 place of last arrival.
Item 24 status at last arrival.
Item 25 current status or category.
Item 26 SEVIS number.
Item 27 first part of category letter.
- Picking the wrong category. The category is the most consequential field on the form; refer to the Who May File Form I-765 section of the official instructions.
Item 27 second part of category (number).
Item 27 third part of category (if any).
Item 28a STEM OPT degree.
Item 28b E-Verify employer name.
Item 28c E-Verify ID.
Item 29 H-1B I-129 receipt number.
Item 30 c.8 arrest yes/no.
- Answering 'No' when there are arrests with no convictions. The question asks about arrests OR convictions; both must be disclosed and supported by certified court dispositions.
Item 31a I-140 receipt.
Item 31b c.35/c.36 arrest yes/no.
Part 3 item 1: English vs interpreter statement.
Part 3 item 1.b language used by interpreter.
Part 3 item 2: preparer (other than applicant) checkbox.
Part 3 item 2: preparer's name.
Part 3 item 3 daytime phone.
Part 3 item 4 mobile phone.
Part 3 item 5 email.
Part 3 item 6 ABC settlement (Salvadoran or Guatemalan national).
Part 3 item 7a applicant's signature.
- Applicants under 14 cannot sign; a parent or legal guardian signs on their behalf.
Part 3 item 7b signature date.
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