[Skip Navigation] [Text & Graphics] [Home] [What's New?] [FAQs] [Search & Site Map] [Glossary] [Feedback] [Translate] [Printer Friendly Version]
  • Immigration Forms, Fees and Fingerprints
  • Forms and Fees
  • Forms by Mail
  • e-Filing USCIS Forms
  • Fingerprints



  • Please review this page before downloading this form. It may contain important changes to the instructions for completing and filing the form. The form contained here is the latest printed version. Form changes cannot be made as quickly on the printed forms as they can on this website. Therefore, we are providing notices of changes through this page to assist you with the latest information. You may use the form provided here, but be sure to follow any special instructions listed on this page. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application or petition being delayed or denied. You may also wish to read our General Instructions on forms.

    You will need Acrobat Reader to view or print these forms in Portable Document Format (PDF).


    Form:

    I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Fillable Form Image Available for electronic filing

    Instructions:

    Purpose of Form: Certain aliens who are temporarily in the United States may file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Other aliens who are authorized to work in the United States without restrictions should also used this form to apply for a document evidencing such authorization.
    Number of Pages: 11
    Edition Date: 05/09/02. 12/27/01, 08/11/01, 04/24/01 and 10/13/98 versions are also acceptable
    Where to File:

    Where to file varies by which category of eligibility applies to your case and where you reside. 8 CFR 274a.12(a) and (c) detail these eligibilities. You will also find most categories listed on the instructions to the form.

    274a.12(a) Category Filing location
    (1) Lawful Permanent Resident Separate EAD not required. Use Form I-551 (Permanent Residence Card)
    (2) Legalization Temp. Resident Separate EAD issued without application.
    (3) Refugee Nebraska Service Center
    (4) Paroled Refugee Nebraska Service Center
    (5) Asylee Nebraska Service Center
    (6) Fiance(e) Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence.
    (7) N-8 or N-9 Nebraska Service Center
    (8) Micronesia/Marshall Is. Nebraska Service Center
    (9) LIFE K3/4 Box 7218
    Chicago, IL
    60680-7218
    (10) Withholding Local Office with jurisdiction over your residence
    (11) Extended Voluntary Departure Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence.
    (12) Temp. Protected Status Local Office with jurisdiction over your residence
    (13) Family Unity Service Center with jurisdiction over you residence
    (14) LIFE Legalization Box 7219
    Chicago, IL
    60680-7219
    (15) V nonimmigrants Box 7216
    Chicago, IL
    60680-7219
    (16) T principal renewals Vermont Service Center
    (17) E spouses Service Center with jurisdiction. An I-765 concurrently filed with principal's E Form I-129 must be filed at California Service Center or Texas Service Center, depending on principal's place of employment
    (18) L spouses Service Center with jurisdiction
    274a.12(c) Category Filing location
    (1) Spouse/Dependent of foreign government official Department of State (who certifies and forwards to Nebraska Service Center)
    (2) Spouse/Dependent of Coord. Council NA Affairs Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (3)(i) F-1 Opt PT Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (ii) F-1 International Org. Act Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (iii) F-1 Hardship Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (4) Spouse/Dependent of G-1, 3, 4 Dept. of State/United Nations (alien's sponsoring organization) who certifies and forwards to Nebraska Service Center
    (5) J-1 dependent Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (6) M-1 PT Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (7) NATO dependent NATO, who certifies and forwards to Nebraska Service Center
    (8) Asylum applicant Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (9) I-485 pending Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence or Local Office - depending on where your case is pending.
    (10) 244 Suspension Vermont Service Center, California Service Center or your Local Office
    (11) Public Interest Parolee Local Office with jurisdiction over your residence
    (12)   Local office with jurisdiction over your residence
    (13) Not in use.  
    (14) Deferred Action Local office with jurisdiction over your residence
    (15) Not in use  
    (16) Sec 249 creation Local office with jurisdiction over your residence
    (17)(i) B-1 Domestic of Nonimmigrant Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (17)(ii) B-1 Domestic of Certain USCs Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (17)(iii) Employee Foreign Airline Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (18) Order of Supervision Local office with jurisdiction over your residence
    (19) Temp. Protected Status Local office with jurisdiction over your residence, except El Salvadorans, Hondurans, Nicaraguans who file with Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (20) Sec 210 Legalization Service Center with jurisdiction over your residence
    (21) S Nonimmigrant Don't use Form I-765. See USCIS Contact.
    (22) Sec 245A Legalization If you have a pending I-687 (Legalization Application) based on an approved "Front Desk Questionaire," file at Texas Service Center
    (23) Irish Peace Process Don't use Form I-765. I-94 used.
    (24) LIFE Legalization Box 7219
    Chicago, IL
    60680-7219
    (25) T dependents Vermont Service Center
    Filing Fee:

    New Fee: If your application is filed or postmarked on or after April 30, 2004, the required fee is $175.

    Please note that the Form I-765 does not reflect the change in filing fee at this time. However, if your application is filed or postmarked on or after April 30, 2004, the new fee must be included or your application will be rejected.

    If you are in one of the categories noted below, no fee is required.

    If filing for an initial EAD under one of these categories:

    • refugee, asylee or paroled as a refugee;
    • N-8 or N-9 Nonimmigrant;
    • Citizen of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, or Palau;
    • Granted Withholding of Deportation;
    • Deferred Enforced Departure;
    • Dependent of certain foreign government or international organization personnel; or,
    • Applicant for asylum (applicant filing under special ABC procedures must pay the fee however).

    If filing for a renewal EAD under one of these categories:

    • Citizen of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, or Palau;
    • Granted Withholding of Deportation;
    • Deferred Enforced Departure; or,
    • Dependent of certain foreign government or international organization personnel.

    If you are filing for a replacement EAD, and you are a dependent of certain foreign government or international organization personnel, no fee is required.

    Please consult the "Paying Fees" section of your local office or Service Center page to learn which forms of payment are accepted. Acceptable forms of payment may vary by office.

    Special Instructions:

    Please note: The blue "Signature Card" mentioned in the form's instructions is no longer required.

    This version of the I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is a fillable form. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 5 to use the fillable features of this form. You may also wish to read our instructions on fillable forms.

    The 12/27/01 version of this form is still acceptable.

    Effective August 2, 2004, USCIS has changed its requirements for photographs to a standard passport-style photograph. Please see this informational flyer for more details.

    Download:

    I-765 (PDF, 240KB)
    I-765 Instructions in Vietnamese (PDF, 227 KB)
    I-765 Instructions in Korean (PDF, 2.79 MB)

    Other Information:

    How Do I Get A Work Permit: Employment Authorization Document?

    Last Modified 08/02/2004