Updated: August 25, 2026

How to apply for a work permit (EAD, Form I-765) the first time

Q: How to apply for a work permit (EAD, Form I-765) the first time

Check that your immigration category qualifies (asylum applicant after a 150-day wait, TPS, parole, adjustment applicant and others), then file Form I-765 online or by mail with photos, identity documents and the current USCIS fee.

First check that you are in a category that qualifies for an EAD, then file Form I-765 with USCIS online or by mail, with photos, copies of your identity documents and the current fee. USCIS will mail a receipt notice (Form I-797C) that lets you track the case.

Step 1: find your eligibility category

An EAD is not a status by itself. You can apply only if your immigration situation fits one of the eligibility categories, for example:

Asylum applicant: you can file for an EAD after a 150-day waiting period from filing the asylum application.
TPS holder or applicant.
Parolee, for example under humanitarian parole.
Applicant for adjustment of status (a pending green card case).

There are many other categories. Each has a code that you enter on the form, listed in the I-765 instructions. The code matters: it tells USCIS which rules to apply. If you are not sure which category fits you, ask a legal organization before filing, because a wrong category can lead to a rejection and lost months.

Step 2: prepare and file Form I-765

File online through a USCIS account or by mail, depending on your category.
Check the current filing fee on the USCIS website before you file. Fees change, and some categories pay no fee at all.
Include two passport-style photos and copies of your identity documents: passport, I-94, prior USCIS notices.

Common reasons applications get rejected: an old edition of the form, a missing signature, a wrong fee amount, or a package mailed to the wrong address. Check each of these against the current instructions at uscis.gov/i-765 on the day you file.

Step 3: after you file

USCIS will mail you a receipt notice, Form I-797C, with a 13-character receipt number. Keep it safe: it is your proof of filing and your key to tracking the case.

Track your case online at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus. A free USCIS online account also lets you see notices electronically, faster than by mail.

When the card is approved, USCIS mails it to the address on file. If you move while the case is pending, file Form AR-11 right away so the card does not go to an old address.

Quick answers

When can an asylum applicant apply for a work permit?
An asylum applicant can file Form I-765 after a 150-day waiting period from filing the asylum application.

How do I track my I-765 case?
Use the 13-character receipt number from your Form I-797C notice at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.

For your personal situation, confirm the details with a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.

If you are stuck, write to us at [email protected] and we will point you to the right organizations for free. You can also ask a question or use our free legal help directory.