Home" What is an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)?

What is an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)?

May 9, 2021

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is an identification card that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) concerns to particular qualifying foreign nationals to work in the United States. Many people describe the card as a work permit. At USCIS, the Employment Authorization Document is known as Form I-766.

The EAD card contains a picture of the private authorized to work and may consist of the individual's finger print. A foreign national who has an EAD normally has open-market employment permission, but there are exceptions. The card (Form I-766) is a legitimate I-9 document for employers.

EAD Validity Period

Generally, an Employment Authorization Card is just valid until it's expiration date. Depending upon the person's migration status, USCIS typically issues cards for a two-year period or less. However, specific EADs held by individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and other designated categories might be immediately extended beyond the validity date on the card.

Eligibility for a Work Authorization Document

There are fundamentally 2 different types of nonimmigrants who might be eligible to ask for an EAD. Certain foreign nationals are licensed to work in the United States based upon their immigration status. Although they are already licensed to work, they may require evidence of that advantage. Examples include asylees and refugees. Other foreign nationals are inside the U.S. however need to ask for special consent to accept employment. Examples consist of modification of status applicants, DACA, asylum seekers, and particular students.

RECOMMENDED: List of Eligibility Categories for EAD

Permanent residents (permit holders) do not need a Work Authorization Document. The green card is proof of the cardholder's status and work authorization. Likewise, nonimmigrants authorized to be employed with a particular employer do not need an EAD. Examples of nonimmigrants with this status include H-1B and TN visa.

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How to Request an EAD

Foreign nationals who are qualified for an Employment Authorization Document may ask for one with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. In many cases, the initial ask for work authorization need to be sent with the application for the underlying status.

Typically, an applicant needs to consist of the following products for an initial demand:

- Form I-765

USCIS fees

- Copy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

- Two passport-style photos

- Proof of eligibility


The list above is a generalization. To put it simply, candidates need to send other particular supporting files depending on the qualifying basis of eligibility. Additionally, particular preliminary I-765 requests get sent with the primary application.

Mistakes on your Form I-765 can trigger costly delays or a rejection.

Applicants that prepare Form I-765 through CitizenPath's service likewise receive customized filing directions. The filing directions will be based on your particular scenario and will describe precisely what documents to send with Form I-765.

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Renewal

You may renew your Employment Authorization Document if you are still qualified for work authorization. File a new Form I-765 and select the "renewal" alternative. Generally, you need to not declare a renewal EAD more than 180 days before your most recent EAD ends.

Replacement

You may change your Employment Authorization Document if your most current EAD is lost, taken or destroyed. File a new Form I-765 and select the "replacement" choice. If you did not receive an EAD that USCIS sent by mail, you can send an inquiry on non-delivery of a card.