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Form I-765 Instruction Guide

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Form I-765 Explained: Application for Employment Authorization, Question by Question

Use Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request permission to work in the United States or to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Your EAD is the card that shows your work authorization.

Depending on your immigration category, you may be asking USCIS for permission to work, or you may already have permission to work and be asking for an EAD as proof.

This guide walks you through the seven-page paper form, edition 08/21/25 (August 21, 2025). It explains:

  • what each question is asking;
  • what you should enter;
  • examples when they help make the question clearer; and
  • details to watch out for that could cause confusion or mistakes.

Throughout this guide, “you” means the applicant—the person requesting employment authorization or an EAD. If your spouse, parent, employer, attorney, or someone else is helping you, the questions about you still require your information unless the form specifically asks for someone else’s.

The online version of Form I-765 may present the questions in a different order.

Important: Check the Form Edition Before You File

This guide explains Form I-765 edition 08/21/25.

As of September 21, 2026, USCIS accepts edition 08/21/25 and is not accepting edition 09/15/26 following a court order. Check the USCIS Form I-765 page again before you file because the accepted edition can change.

The edition date is printed at the bottom of the form. Do not confuse it with the OMB expiration date printed near the top of the form. They are different dates.

Find a Question

Before You Start

Having the right records nearby can prevent mistakes. Gather the documents that may help you complete the form, including:

  • your passport or other travel documents;
  • your Form I-94 arrival record, if you have one;
  • USCIS notices relating to your immigration history;
  • your current EAD and older EADs, if you have had them;
  • copies of earlier immigration applications when relevant; and
  • documents connected to the reason you are applying for this EAD.

Depending on your eligibility category, you may also need school records, your spouse’s immigration records, records from a pending immigration application, or other documents.

You may use a document to help answer a question even when USCIS does not require you to send that document with your application. Later in this guide, we explain how to determine which supporting documents you actually need to submit.

Compare your answers with your records

Keep copies of earlier applications nearby if you have them. Compare names, identification numbers, dates, and immigration information with your records.

But do not copy an old answer automatically.

Your circumstances may have changed. An earlier application may also contain a mistake. Copying the same mistake onto a new application does not make it correct.

If your records disagree about something important and you cannot determine the correct answer, do not simply choose whichever answer appears most often. You may need to investigate the difference or get qualified help.

Three form numbers that are easy to confuse

You may see I-765, I-766, and I-797 while preparing your application. They are different things.

Form I-765 is the application you are completing.

Form I-766 is the official name for the Employment Authorization Document—the EAD card itself.

Form I-797 is a notice USCIS sends about a case. For example, USCIS may send an I-797 telling you that it received an application or that it approved one.

Watch out: An I-797 is not automatically an approval notice. Read what the notice actually says and which application it refers to.

Completing the paper form

If you are filing on paper:

  • Type your answers or write them clearly in black ink.
  • Enter dates in month/day/year format unless the form tells you otherwise.
  • If a question does not apply to you, follow the form instructions for entering “N/A” (“not applicable”).
  • If a question asks for a number and your answer is zero, follow the instructions for entering “None.”
  • Include every page of the form, even if you did not need to fill out everything on a page.
  • If you need more room, use Part 6 or an additional sheet following the Part 6 instructions.

Tip: If you and your spouse are both preparing immigration applications, keep your documents separate. Before copying a number or date, check whose name is on the document. It is surprisingly easy to enter a spouse’s receipt number, A-Number, or other information in your own application.

The Boxes Above Part 1

At the top of the form, you will see boxes for USCIS and for an attorney or accredited representative.

“For USCIS Use Only”

What is this asking?

Nothing from you. This section is for USCIS.

What should you enter?

Nothing. Leave it blank.

Attorney or Accredited Representative

Do you need an attorney to file Form I-765?

No. You do not need to have an attorney or accredited representative to file this form.

If no one is representing you, leave the attorney or accredited-representative section blank.

If an attorney or accredited representative is representing you, this section is for information about that person. Your representative may also submit Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, which tells USCIS that the person represents you.

Watch out: The numbers requested in this area belong to your representative. Do not enter your own USCIS Online Account Number here. The form asks for your USCIS Online Account Number later.

Part 1. Reason for Applying

Part 1 asks why you are filing this I-765.

You will choose one of three reasons:

  • 1.a — Initial permission to accept employment
  • 1.b — Replacement or correction of an EAD
  • 1.c — Renewal of employment authorization

This question can be confusing because later questions ask whether you have filed Form I-765 before and which eligibility category you are using.

Those are different questions.

Your eligibility category is the immigration reason you qualify to request employment authorization or an EAD. For example, your category might be based on:

  • a pending asylum application;
  • asylum that has already been granted;
  • a pending application for a green card;
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS); or
  • another category listed in the I-765 instructions.

You may have had an EAD before and still be making an initial request under a different eligibility category.

Item 1.a: Initial Permission to Accept Employment

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants to know whether this is your first request for an EAD under the eligibility category you are using now.

“Initial” does not necessarily mean you have never had an EAD before.

What should you enter?

Choose Item 1.a if you are making an initial request under your current eligibility category.

Example

Suppose you previously had an EAD as a student. Later, you apply for asylum and become eligible to request an EAD based on your pending asylum application.

You have had a work permit before, but you are now applying under a different eligibility category. Your new request may therefore be an initial application under that category rather than a renewal of your student EAD.

Watch out for this

Do not answer this question by asking only:

“Have I ever had a work permit?”

Instead, ask:

“Am I requesting another EAD under the same category, or am I applying under a different category now?”

If you previously filed Form I-765, you will still need to disclose that later in Part 2, Item 12, even if you choose “Initial” here.

Item 1.b: Replacement or Correction Not Due to USCIS Error

What is this question asking?

Choose this option when you need another copy of an EAD because:

  • your card was lost;
  • your card was stolen;
  • your card was damaged; or
  • information on the card is wrong because of an error that USCIS did not make.

A replacement fixes a problem with your card. It is not the same thing as requesting another period of work authorization.

Example

You received your EAD and later lost your wallet with the card inside. You need another card showing the same authorization.

That is a replacement situation.

What if the card contains an error?

First determine whether USCIS made the error.

If USCIS printed information incorrectly even though your application and supporting documents contained the correct information, follow USCIS’s instructions for correcting a card because of a USCIS error.

If the incorrect information came from information you provided, different correction procedures may apply.

Tip: Compare the EAD with the application you submitted, the documents you provided, and your approval notice. Keep copies that show the difference.

What if my EAD never arrived?

A card that USCIS mailed but you never received is different from a card you received and later lost.

Before filing for a replacement, check USCIS’s current instructions for a card that was not delivered.

Watch out for this

Replacing a card does not automatically extend your employment authorization.

If your EAD is also approaching its expiration date, you may need to consider the renewal rules for your category rather than assuming a replacement solves both problems.

Item 1.c: Renewal of Employment Authorization

What is this question asking?

A renewal asks USCIS for another period of employment authorization under the same eligibility category.

What should you enter?

Choose renewal if you are requesting another period of employment authorization under the same category and you meet the renewal requirements for that category.

Follow the current instructions for the supporting documents required with your renewal, including any required copy of your previous EAD.

Example

You have an EAD based on a pending asylum application, and you are applying for another EAD based on that same pending-asylum category.

That is generally a renewal rather than an initial request under a new category.

Do I have to wait until my EAD expires?

No. In fact, you generally should not wait until the last moment.

The important question is when USCIS allows someone in your category to file a renewal. Different categories can have different rules and filing periods.

Do not use a friend’s filing date—or the date someone online says they filed—as your guide.

Watch out for this

Filing a renewal does not, by itself, mean you can continue working after the expiration date printed on your current EAD.

Whether your employment authorization continues depends on the rules that apply to your category and filing date. Automatic-extension rules have changed, and some categories or programs have their own extension provisions.

If you believe an automatic extension applies to you, check the current USCIS guidance for your category before relying on it.

Additional Help: Part 1

Can my application be “initial” if I had an EAD before?

Yes.

“Initial” can mean your first request under a particular eligibility category. If your earlier EAD was issued under a different category, the new application may still be an initial request under the new category.

But you must separately answer Part 2, Item 12, which asks whether you have previously filed Form I-765.

What is the difference between replacing an EAD and renewing one?

Think about what you are asking USCIS to do.

A replacement asks for another card because something happened to the existing card—for example, it was lost, stolen, or damaged.

A renewal asks for another period of employment authorization under the same category.

If your EAD was lost and your authorization is close to expiring, you may need to consider both issues. Do not assume that replacing the card renews your authorization.

Where is the expiration date on my EAD?

Look at the front of your card.

“Card Expires” shows the expiration date printed on the EAD.

“Valid From” shows when the period printed on the card began.

Do not confuse either date with your passport expiration date or another immigration-document expiration date.

What is an automatic EAD extension?

An automatic extension is a rule that may allow certain employment authorization to remain valid beyond the expiration date printed on an EAD while a qualifying renewal is pending.

Do not assume that filing an I-765 renewal automatically gives you an extension.

The general automatic-extension rules changed on October 30, 2025. For renewal applications filed on or after that date, the previous general automatic-extension rule generally no longer applies, although separate extensions may still exist under particular laws, regulations, or government notices.

If you think an extension applies to you, gather:

  • your current or expired EAD;
  • your I-765 renewal receipt notice;
  • the eligibility category on your EAD;
  • the date USCIS received your renewal; and
  • any current USCIS notice or guidance applying to your category.

For example, some Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations may have separate government notices extending certain EADs. Student employment categories can also have their own rules.

These rules are not interchangeable.

Watch out: Do not rely on an old webpage, an old USCIS notice, or another person’s EAD extension. Check the current rule for your category, your filing date, and your documents.

If you still cannot determine whether you are authorized to work after the date printed on your EAD, get qualified immigration help before relying on an extension.

Part 2. Information About You

Part 2 asks for your personal and immigration information.

Remember: “you” means the applicant. Even if your spouse, attorney, parent, employer, or someone else is helping you complete the form, enter your information unless the question specifically asks about someone else.

Items 1.a–1.c: Your Full Legal Name

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants your current legal name.

Enter your:

  • family name (last name);
  • given name (first name); and
  • middle name, if you have one.

What should you enter?

Use the legal name shown on your birth certificate or a document showing a legal name change.

If your culture or country normally writes names in a different order, follow the labels on this form. Put your family name in the family-name space and your given name in the given-name space.

Example

If your passport displays:

HASSANI, Amir Reza

and Hassani is your family name, Amir is your given name, and Reza is your middle name, enter each name in the corresponding space rather than copying the entire passport line into one box.

Watch out for this

Do not put a nickname here just because that is the name you normally use.

The next section specifically asks about other names you have used.

If you do not have a middle name, do not invent one or repeat your first name. Follow the form’s instructions for an answer that does not apply.

Items 2.a–4.c: Other Names You Have Used

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants to know all other names you have ever used.

This can include:

  • a maiden name or other name used before marriage;
  • a previous married name;
  • a former legal name;
  • an alias;
  • a nickname you have used; or
  • another spelling or version of your name that you have used.

“Ever” means this is not limited to names you use today.

What should you enter?

Enter each other name in the spaces provided.

The name does not have to have been changed through a court proceeding to belong here. If you actually used another name, USCIS may want to know about it.

If you have more names than the form has room for, continue in Part 6.

Example

Your legal name today is Mohammad Reza Karimi, but friends, employers, or records have also identified you as Reza Karimi.

Do not assume that “Reza” can be ignored merely because it was informal. If you have actually used that name, this section is where you disclose it.

Another common example is someone whose last name changed after marriage. The earlier last name belongs here even if every current document now uses the married name.

Watch out for this

Applicants sometimes think USCIS wants only official legal name changes. The question is broader than that.

Compare your passports, visas, EADs, USCIS notices, birth certificate, marriage records, school or employment records, and other important documents. If you notice a different name or spelling, determine whether it is another name you have actually used or simply an error in a record.

Do not change the spelling in your notes just to make all your records look the same. A difference may be important to identify and explain.

Items 5.a–5.f: Your U.S. Mailing Address

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants the U.S. address where you can reliably receive mail, including your EAD.

This does not necessarily have to be the place where you live.

What should you enter?

Enter the address where you want USCIS mail sent.

This may be:

  • your home;
  • another reliable address where you receive mail;
  • a business address where you receive mail;
  • a Post Office box; or
  • another address permitted by the form instructions.

What does “In Care Of Name” mean?

Use “In Care Of Name” when the mail is being sent to you at someone else’s address.

Example

You live somewhere else but receive important mail at your sister Maria Lopez’s house.

You would enter Maria Lopez as the “In Care Of Name” and then enter her address in the address fields.

The envelope can then be delivered to you in care of Maria Lopez.

What do Apt., Ste., and Flr. mean?

  • Apt. = Apartment
  • Ste. = Suite
  • Flr. = Floor

Use the one that describes your address.

What is an urbanization?

Some addresses in Puerto Rico use an urbanization, which is a named neighborhood or development.

If your address uses one, follow the I-765 instructions for where to enter it.

Can I use my attorney’s address?

If you have an attorney or accredited representative, do not automatically enter that person’s address here.

Use the address where you want your EAD and USCIS mail delivered, and check any applicable delivery choices on Form G-28 if you are represented.

Special safe-address situations

USCIS has special address procedures for certain applicants, including some people with cases under VAWA or T or U nonimmigrant protections.

If receiving immigration mail at your home could create a safety problem, check the applicable USCIS safe-address instructions before entering an address.

Watch out for this

Your mailing address and the place where you actually live can be different.

The next questions ask USCIS to distinguish between them.

Items 6–7.e: Your Physical Address

What is this question asking?

Your physical address is where you actually live.

Item 6 asks whether that is the same as your mailing address.

What should you enter?

If you receive mail where you live, answer Yes.

If your mailing address is somewhere else, answer No and enter the address where you actually live in Items 7.a–7.e.

Example

You live in an apartment in Irvine, but you receive important mail at your parents’ home in Los Angeles because someone is always there to receive it.

Your parents’ address may be your mailing address.

Your Irvine apartment is your physical address.

Do not enter your parents’ home as your physical address simply because that is where USCIS sends your mail.

Watch out for this

These questions ask for your current addresses. They are not asking for your complete address history.

Also, forwarding your mail through the U.S. Postal Service does not necessarily update your address with USCIS. If you move while your case is pending, follow USCIS’s address-change procedures.

Item 8: Alien Registration Number (A-Number)

What is this question asking?

USCIS is asking for your A-Number, if you have one.

An A-Number is a number the U.S. government uses to identify your immigration record.

Where can I find it?

It may appear on USCIS or Department of Homeland Security documents.

If you have an EAD, look for the number labeled:

USCIS#

That is your A-Number.

Example

If your EAD says:

USCIS# 123-456-789

that is the number Item 8 is asking for.

Watch out for this

Your A-Number is not:

  • your Social Security number;
  • your EAD card number;
  • your visa number;
  • your USCIS receipt number; or
  • your USCIS Online Account Number.

Several of these numbers can appear on immigration documents at the same time. Read the label before copying the number.

If you do not have an A-Number, follow the form’s instructions for “N/A.”

Item 9: USCIS Online Account Number

What is this question asking?

This asks for your USCIS Online Account Number, if you have one.

It is a number connected to your USCIS online account.

Where can I find it?

Look in your USCIS online-account information or on an Account Access Notice USCIS sent you.

What should you enter?

Enter your own USCIS Online Account Number.

If you do not have one, follow the form’s instructions for “N/A.”

Watch out for this

A USCIS Online Account Number and a USCIS receipt number are different things.

A receipt number may begin with letters such as IOE. That does not make it an Online Account Number.

Do not enter:

  • your receipt number;
  • your online access code;
  • your username;
  • your password; or
  • your spouse’s Online Account Number.

Tip: If you are looking at a USCIS notice containing several different numbers, first check whose name is on the notice, then check the label next to the number.

Additional Help: A-Numbers and Online Account Numbers

Is the “USCIS#” on my EAD my A-Number?

Yes. The number labeled USCIS# on your EAD is your A-Number.

It is different from the card number.

What if two documents show different A-Numbers for me?

Do not simply choose the one that appears on your newest document or the one that matches an earlier application.

Keep both records and investigate the difference. If you cannot resolve it from your USCIS records, get qualified help before deciding how to report it.

What if I don’t have a USCIS Online Account Number?

Not everyone has one.

Do not create a number from another USCIS number or enter a receipt number instead. Follow the form’s instructions for “N/A.”

Item 10: Sex

What is this question asking?

The 08/21/25 edition provides Male and Female choices.

The instructions for this edition tell you which documentation to use when answering this question.

What should you enter?

Follow the instructions for the 08/21/25 edition and use the applicable supporting record.

Watch out for this

If your documents show different information, or you do not have the record identified by the instructions, do not guess simply to complete the form.

Check the current USCIS instructions or get qualified help about which evidence applies to your situation.

Item 11: Marital Status

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants your marital status when you file the application.

Choose:

  • Single
  • Married
  • Divorced
  • Widowed

“Widowed” means your spouse died and you have not remarried.

Example

If you were previously married but your divorce is legally final when you file the I-765, select Divorced, not Married.

Watch out for this

This question asks about your legal marital status, not whether you and your spouse currently live together.

If you are separated but still legally married, do not assume that “Single” describes your legal status.

If you are uncertain whether a marriage, divorce, or other proceeding is legally valid or final, get qualified help before choosing an answer.

Item 12: Have You Previously Filed Form I-765?

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants to know whether you have filed Form I-765 before.

It is not asking only whether USCIS previously gave you an EAD.

What should you consider?

An earlier I-765 may matter even if:

  • USCIS approved it;
  • USCIS denied it;
  • it is still pending;
  • you withdrew it; or
  • you filed it under a different eligibility category.

Example

You filed an I-765 several years ago as a student. You are now applying for an EAD based on a pending asylum application.

You may have selected Initial in Part 1 because this is your first request under the new category.

But Item 12 asks whether you previously filed I-765.

The answer to that question does not become “No” just because your current eligibility category is different.

What about a rejected application?

A rejection and a denial are different.

A rejection generally means USCIS did not accept the filing for processing—for example, because of a filing problem.

A denial means USCIS accepted the application for processing and later decided not to approve it.

If USCIS previously returned an I-765 to you as rejected, keep the rejection notice. If you are unsure how that filing should be reported for Item 12, check the applicable USCIS instructions or get qualified help rather than treating a rejection and denial as the same thing.

Watch out for this

Do not answer this question by looking only at your current EAD.

If you have filed more than once, make a simple list of your earlier I-765 applications, including:

  • approximate filing date;
  • eligibility category, if known;
  • receipt number;
  • result; and
  • EAD issued, if any.

That can also help you identify inconsistencies before you file.

Item 13: Social Security Number, If Known

What is this question asking?

Enter your Social Security number (SSN) if you have one and know it.

The Social Security Administration (SSA), not USCIS, issues Social Security numbers.

What should you enter?

Enter your existing SSN.

Watch out for this

Do not enter:

  • your A-Number;
  • an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number);
  • a foreign identification number; or
  • another nine-digit number that looks like an SSN.

If you are unsure of your number, check your Social Security card or SSA records rather than guessing.

Can I request a Social Security number on this Form I-765?

Not on the 08/21/25 paper edition covered by this guide.

Older versions of Form I-765 included questions allowing some applicants to request a Social Security card and authorize USCIS to share information with SSA. Those questions are not on this edition.

If you need an original or replacement Social Security card, follow SSA’s current application process.

What if I already have an SSN?

Enter the same SSN in Item 13.

Receiving a new or renewed EAD does not mean you receive a new Social Security number.

Also remember: having a Social Security number does not, by itself, prove that you currently have permission to work.

Items 14.a–14.b: Countries of Citizenship or Nationality

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants every country where you are currently a citizen or national.

This is not necessarily the same as:

  • where you were born;
  • where you currently live; or
  • which passport you most recently used.

What should you enter?

List each country where you currently have citizenship or nationality.

If you have dual citizenship, include both.

If you need more space, continue in Part 6.

Example

You were born in Iran but later became a citizen of Canada and retained your Iranian citizenship.

If you are currently a citizen of both countries, list both, even if you used only your Canadian passport for your most recent trip.

What does “nationality” mean?

For most people, nationality and citizenship point to the same country. But some people can be nationals of a country without being citizens.

If you genuinely do not know your legal citizenship or nationality, check your records or get qualified help rather than assuming that your birthplace answers the question.

What if I am stateless?

“Stateless” generally means you are not considered a citizen or national by any country.

A missing, expired, or lost passport does not by itself make you stateless.

If you are stateless, follow the I-765 instructions for identifying and explaining that situation.

Items 15.a–15.c: Place of Birth

What is this question asking?

Enter:

  • the city, town, or village where you were born;
  • the state or province, if applicable; and
  • the country where you were born.

This asks where you were born, not your current citizenship.

Example

Someone can have been born in one country and now be a citizen of another. That is not a contradiction. Items 14 and 15 are asking different questions.

Watch out for this

Follow the form instructions concerning the country name to use if the country where you were born later changed its name or no longer exists.

Do not change your birthplace simply to match your current passport or citizenship.

Item 16: Date of Birth

What is this question asking?

Enter your date of birth in month/day/year format.

Example

October 5, 1990 becomes:

10/05/1990

Watch out for this

Dates can easily be reversed when your home country normally uses day/month/year.

If your birth certificate, passport, or USCIS records show different birth dates, do not simply copy whichever document is closest to you.

Keep the records showing the difference and determine the correct information before filing. If you cannot resolve an important discrepancy, get qualified help rather than guessing.

Part 2. Information About You — Continued

Item 17: Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number

What is this question asking?

USCIS is asking for your Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record number, if you were issued one.

An I-94 is a U.S. government record connected to your arrival or authorized stay in the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may create one when you enter the country. USCIS may also issue an I-94 with certain later immigration decisions.

What should you enter?

Enter the I-94 number requested by the form. Copy the complete number, including any letters.

You may find an I-94:

  • in CBP’s electronic I-94 system;
  • on an older paper I-94; or
  • attached to certain USCIS approval notices.

Example

You entered the United States and CBP created an electronic I-94 for that entry. Later, USCIS approved a change or extension and issued another I-94 with the approval notice.

Those records relate to different events. Do not automatically assume that the newest document answers every question about your arrival.

Watch out for this

An I-94 number is not:

  • your A-Number;
  • your passport number;
  • your visa number; or
  • a USCIS receipt number.

The instructions for this edition also request information about when your authorized stay expires or expired, as shown on the I-94, although the paper form does not provide a separate box for that date. Follow the I-765 instructions for providing that additional information, including using Part 6 when appropriate.

Do not put an I-94 expiration date into Item 21. Item 21 asks for the expiration date of a passport or travel document.

Additional Help: I-94 Records

Where can I find my I-94?

Start with CBP’s official I-94 service if you entered through a process that created an electronic I-94.

Also check your immigration records. Certain USCIS notices contain an I-94 at the bottom.

What if the CBP website cannot find my I-94?

Do not assume that this means you were never issued one.

Check your passport, travel records, earlier paper I-94s, and USCIS notices. Follow CBP’s instructions for a record that cannot be found or needs correction.

What if I have more than one I-94?

Look at why and when each I-94 was issued.

One may document an entry into the United States. Another may have been issued later with a USCIS decision.

If you cannot determine which record the I-765 instructions require for your situation, get qualified help rather than choosing the one with the latest expiration date.

Items 18–21: Passport and Travel-Document Information

These questions ask about the passport or travel document connected to your immigration and travel history.

Item 18: Passport Number

Enter the number of your most recently issued passport.

Item 19: Travel Document Number

Enter your travel document number, if you have one.

A “travel document” here means an official document used for international travel, such as certain refugee travel documents. It does not mean an airline ticket, boarding pass, or travel itinerary.

Item 20: Country That Issued the Passport or Travel Document

Enter the country that issued the document.

Example

Your country’s consulate in Los Angeles issued your passport.

The issuing country is still your country, not the United States simply because the consulate was physically located in California.

Item 21: Expiration Date

Enter the expiration date of the passport or travel document.

Watch out for this

Copy the number, issuing country, and expiration date from the same document.

Do not accidentally enter:

  • one passport’s number with another passport’s expiration date;
  • your visa number instead of your passport number; or
  • your visa expiration date instead of your passport expiration date.

A visa printed inside your passport is not the same thing as the passport itself.

What if I entered the United States using an older passport?

Keep both passports available.

The I-765 instructions also request information concerning the passport or travel document used to travel to the United States, even if it has expired. Follow the instructions for providing additional information in Part 6 when needed.

Item 22: Date of Your Last Arrival in the United States

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants the date you most recently entered the United States.

“Last arrival” means your most recent entry—not your first entry and not the date you originally moved to the United States.

What should you enter?

Enter the date of your most recent arrival in month/day/year format.

Check your I-94, passport, and travel records.

Example

You first came to the United States in 2018. You later traveled abroad for two weeks and returned in 2025.

For this question, your last arrival is generally the 2025 return, not your original 2018 arrival.

What does “On or About” mean?

It allows you to give an approximate date when necessary.

But do not use that wording as a reason to guess before checking your records.

If you genuinely cannot determine the exact date, provide your best accurate information and explain that the date is approximate in Part 6 when appropriate.

Watch out for this

A USCIS decision made after you entered the country is not a new “arrival.”

This question is about entering the United States.

Item 23: Place of Your Last Arrival

What is this question asking?

Enter the place where you most recently entered the United States.

This may not be the city where your trip ended.

Example

You flew from another country to Los Angeles, entered the United States and went through immigration inspection there, and then took a connecting flight to San Francisco.

Your U.S. arrival location is Los Angeles, even though your final flight ended in San Francisco.

Watch out for this

If you had connecting flights, do not simply enter the destination printed on your final boarding pass.

Compare your itinerary with your I-94, passport stamps, or other entry records to identify where you actually entered the United States.

Item 24: Immigration Status at Your Last Arrival

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants to know your immigration status when you most recently entered the United States.

This is a snapshot of your situation then, not now.

What should you enter?

Enter the applicable status or category from your entry records.

Examples can include:

  • B-2 visitor
  • F-1 student
  • another immigration classification; or
  • no status, when applicable.

Example

You entered the United States as an F-1 student. Two years later, your immigration situation changed.

Item 24 is still asking about the status you had when you entered, not the status or situation you have today.

Watch out for this

Do not automatically copy the classification printed on a visa.

A visa is a document used to seek entry. Your entry record, including your I-94 when applicable, may be important for determining the status under which you were actually admitted.

If your visa and entry records appear to conflict, investigate the difference rather than choosing whichever document is easiest to read.

Item 25: Your Current Immigration Status or Category

What is this question asking?

Now USCIS is asking about your immigration situation today.

This is different from Item 24.

What should you enter?

Review what has happened since your last entry.

The form gives examples such as:

  • B-2 visitor;
  • F-1 student;
  • parolee;
  • deferred action; and
  • no status or category.

Example

You entered as an F-1 student but later changed to another immigration status.

Item 24 asks about F-1 at your last arrival.

Item 25 asks about your situation now.

Those answers can legitimately be different.

Important terms

Parole in immigration law refers to permission allowing certain people to enter or remain temporarily in the United States. It does not mean criminal parole.

Deferred action generally means the government has decided to defer immigration enforcement against someone for a period of time. It is not itself lawful immigration status.

Watch out for this

A receipt notice generally tells you USCIS received an application. It does not mean USCIS approved the benefit you requested.

Similarly, having an EAD tells you about employment authorization. It does not necessarily tell you what your current immigration status is.

If you have expired status documents, several pending immigration applications, immigration court proceedings, or conflicting records, determining your current status may require legal analysis. Get qualified immigration help rather than guessing.

Additional Help: Items 24, 25, and 27

Are “status at last arrival,” “current status,” and “eligibility category” the same thing?

No.

Think of them as three different questions:

Item 24: What was your immigration status when you last entered the United States?

Item 25: What is your immigration status or category now?

Item 27: What eligibility category are you using to request this EAD?

Do not copy the same answer into all three simply because one immigration document is the newest document you have.

Item 26: SEVIS Number, If Any

What is this question asking?

SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

If you are or were an international student or exchange visitor, you may have a SEVIS number.

Where can I find it?

Look on your:

  • Form I-20, commonly used for F-1 students; or
  • Form DS-2019, commonly used for exchange visitors.

A SEVIS number begins with N.

Watch out for this

Your SEVIS number is not:

  • your school’s student ID;
  • your school’s SEVIS code;
  • your A-Number; or
  • a USCIS receipt number.

If your category instructions ask about previous SEVIS numbers or previous practical training, check your older school records too.

Item 27: Eligibility Category

This is one of the most important questions on Form I-765.

Need to identify the basis before entering a code? How do I find the correct eligibility category for Form I-765? explains how to connect your records, current circumstances, and the category requirements.

What is this question asking?

Your eligibility category is the reason you qualify to request employment authorization or an EAD.

USCIS represents these categories with codes such as (c)(8) or (a)(5).

Different immigration situations can have different category codes even when they sound similar.

Examples

A person with a pending asylum application may apply under category (c)(8).

If your request is based on pending asylum, our asylum work-permit timing explanation separates the 150-day filing threshold from the 180-day authorization threshold, explains applicant-caused delays, and identifies the records connecting I-765 to the asylum case.

A person who has already been granted asylum is in a different category, (a)(5).

Someone seeking an EAD based on a pending I-485 application to adjust status may use another category when the requirements for that category are met.

If your request is based on a pending adjustment application, Can I work while my I-485 is pending? separates eligibility to apply from permission to work now and explains receipts, existing authorization, and current renewal rules.

The important point is that:

“I applied for asylum” and “I was granted asylum” are not the same thing.

Likewise, applying for an immigration benefit and already having that benefit are not necessarily the same eligibility category.

What should you enter?

Enter the complete eligibility-category code that applies to the EAD you are requesting.

Use the Who May File Form I-765 section of the official instructions to find the category descriptions.

Read the entire description for a category, not just its title.

Check:

  • who qualifies;
  • whether the benefit must be pending or approved;
  • any exceptions;
  • when you may file; and
  • which supporting documents are required.

Example

You have an EAD from an earlier immigration situation. Your circumstances have since changed.

The category printed on the old EAD can help you understand why that old card was issued.

It does not automatically tell you which category you should use today.

Watch out for this

Do not choose a category because:

  • its description sounds approximately right;
  • a friend used it;
  • you found it on a sample I-765 online; or
  • it appears on an old EAD without checking whether your situation is still the same.

Small differences can matter.

If two categories appear to fit, or you cannot determine whether you meet a category’s requirements, get qualified immigration help before filing.

Additional Help: Eligibility Categories

Where can I find my eligibility category?

Start with the current official I-765 instructions.

If you already have an EAD, look at the “Category” printed on the card. Earlier applications and USCIS notices may also help you understand the basis of your previous EAD.

Use those documents as clues and records, not as substitutes for checking the requirements for your current application.

Can I just copy the category from my old EAD?

Not automatically.

If you are renewing under the same category and your situation has not changed, the earlier category may be relevant. But if your immigration situation changed, your new EAD request may use a different category.

Check before copying.

Items 28.a–28.c: Category (c)(3)(C) — STEM OPT

Complete these questions if you entered (c)(3)(C) in Item 27.

STEM means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

OPT means Optional Practical Training, which allows qualifying F-1 students to work in employment related to their field of study.

These questions concern the STEM OPT extension. They do not apply to every student filing Form I-765.

Item 28.a: Degree

What should you enter?

Enter the degree you are using to qualify for the STEM OPT extension, including both the degree level and field of study.

Example

Instead of writing only:

Computer Science

enter something such as:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science

if that accurately describes the qualifying degree.

Watch out for this

Do not enter your job title.

USCIS is asking about the degree, not the work you currently perform.

Item 28.b: Employer’s Name as Listed in E-Verify

What is this asking?

E-Verify is a government system employers use to confirm employment eligibility.

Enter your employer’s name as it is registered in E-Verify.

Watch out for this

The E-Verify name may differ from the brand name, store name, or workplace name you normally use.

Ask your employer if you are unsure.

Item 28.c: E-Verify Number

What should you enter?

Enter the employer’s E-Verify Company Identification Number or the applicable E-Verify Client Company Identification Number.

Watch out for this

An E-Verify number is not the same thing as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) used for federal tax purposes.

Do not copy an EIN from a tax or payroll document into this field just because it is an employer number.

Ask your employer’s human-resources or E-Verify contact for the correct number.

Additional STEM OPT requirements

These three questions are not the entire STEM OPT application process.

Check the STEM OPT instructions for requirements involving:

  • your qualifying degree;
  • your employer;
  • filing deadlines;
  • your school’s recommendation; and
  • your Designated School Official (DSO).

Your DSO is the school official responsible for maintaining F-1 student records and helping with applicable SEVIS procedures.

Item 29: Receipt Number for Category (c)(26)

Complete Item 29 if you entered (c)(26) in Item 27.

This category concerns certain spouses of H-1B workers.

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants the receipt number connected to your H-1B spouse’s most recent Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.

What should you enter?

Find your spouse’s applicable Form I-797 notice for the I-129 petition and enter the receipt number.

Watch out for this

Make sure the notice:

  1. belongs to your spouse;
  2. concerns Form I-129; and
  3. is the applicable most recent notice requested by the instructions.

Do not enter:

  • your own I-765 receipt number;
  • your spouse’s A-Number;
  • an I-140 receipt number; or
  • another receipt number simply because it appears on an I-797.

Additional Help: I-797 Notices and Receipt Numbers

Is an I-797 number the same as a receipt number?

Not exactly.

Form I-797 is a type of notice USCIS sends.

The receipt number identifies a particular case and appears on the notice.

When using an I-797, always check:

  • whose name is on it;
  • which form or case it concerns; and
  • what the notice actually says.

An I-797 is not automatically an approval notice.

Item 30: Arrest or Conviction Question for Category (c)(8)

Complete this question if you entered (c)(8) in Item 27.

Category (c)(8) generally concerns certain applicants with pending asylum applications.

What is this question asking?

USCIS asks whether you have ever been arrested for or convicted of any crime.

There are two important concepts here:

Arrest — you were taken into custody or formally arrested by law enforcement.

Conviction — generally, a criminal case resulted in a finding or plea of guilt, although immigration law has its own rules about what counts as a conviction.

You need to consider both parts of the question.

Example

You were arrested but the charges were later dismissed.

The dismissal may mean there was no conviction, but the arrest still happened.

Do not answer the arrest part as though USCIS asked only whether you were convicted.

What does “ever” mean?

It is not limited to:

  • recent years;
  • your time in the United States;
  • events since your last EAD; or
  • events you think were serious.

An event does not disappear from this question merely because you already disclosed it on another immigration application.

What if I answer Yes?

Read the Special Filing Instructions for Those With Pending Asylum Applications in the I-765 instructions.

Depending on your history, USCIS may require records such as:

  • arrest reports;
  • charging documents;
  • court dispositions;
  • sentencing records; or
  • other official records.

A court disposition is an official record showing how the court case ended.

Watch out for this

Do not decide on your own that an arrest “doesn’t count” because:

  • you were never convicted;
  • the charge was dismissed;
  • it happened a long time ago;
  • it happened outside the United States; or
  • you consider it minor.

If you are unsure whether an event qualifies as an arrest or conviction, or how a plea or court result is treated under immigration law, get qualified immigration legal help before answering.

Item 31.a: I-140 Receipt Number for Categories (c)(35) and (c)(36)

Complete this question if you entered (c)(35) or (c)(36) in Item 27.

These categories concern certain applicants requesting employment authorization based on compelling circumstances.

What is this question asking?

If you entered (c)(35), USCIS asks for the receipt number for your Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.

If you entered (c)(36) as a qualifying spouse or child, USCIS asks for the I-140 receipt number connected to the principal applicant—your spouse or parent.

What should you enter?

Find the applicable Form I-797 notice for the I-140 and copy the receipt number.

Watch out for this

An I-140 is an employment-based immigrant petition. It is not the same as Form I-129, which was discussed in Item 29.

Also, having an approved I-140 or an I-140 receipt number does not, by itself, mean you qualify for employment authorization under compelling circumstances. These categories have additional requirements.

If you are unsure whether you meet those requirements, check the complete category instructions or get qualified immigration legal help before filing.

Item 31.b: Arrest or Conviction Question for Categories (c)(35) and (c)(36)

What is this question asking?

If you are applying under (c)(35) or (c)(36), USCIS also asks about your own arrest and conviction history.

Even if Item 31.a asks for your spouse’s or parent’s I-140 receipt number, Item 31.b is asking about you.

What should you consider?

Consider arrests and convictions separately.

Read the applicable Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Categories section of the official I-765 instructions for the records USCIS requires.

What about traffic violations?

The instructions for these particular categories contain an exception for certain minor traffic violations.

However, do not assume every traffic-related event is minor. The instructions specifically treat alcohol- or drug-related violations differently, and an arrest for a traffic offense can also change what you must report and document.

Example

A routine traffic ticket for a minor violation may be treated differently under these instructions from an arrest for driving under the influence.

Do not treat them as the same simply because both involved driving.

What if the record was sealed or expunged?

Do not assume that means you can leave the event out.

The instructions may still require specified records even when a criminal record was sealed, expunged, or otherwise cleared.

Watch out for this

Do not apply the special traffic instructions for Item 31.b to Item 30 automatically. They concern different category-specific questions.

If you are uncertain whether an event must be disclosed or which records USCIS requires, get qualified immigration legal help before filing.

Part 3. Your Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

Part 3 confirms how you understood and completed the application, gives USCIS your contact information, and contains your certification and signature.

You must be in the United States when filing Form I-765. Having a U.S. mailing address does not, by itself, mean you are physically in the United States.

Items 1.a–1.b: Did You Read the Application Yourself or Use an Interpreter?

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants to know how you understood the form and your answers.

Choose the statement that accurately describes what happened.

Item 1.a

Choose this if you can read and understand English and you read and understood the application, instructions, questions, and your answers.

Item 1.b

Choose this if an interpreter read the application and your answers to you in a language you understand fluently.

Enter that language.

Example

You speak conversational English but needed someone to translate the form into Farsi so that you could fully understand the questions and your answers.

Item 1.b is designed for that situation, and your interpreter must complete Part 4.

Watch out for this

Do not choose Item 1.a simply because you can speak some English.

The question is whether you understood the application and your answers as described in the certification.

Using an interpreter is not a problem. The important thing is to accurately tell USCIS how you understood the form.

Item 2: Did Someone Prepare the Application for You?

What is this question asking?

A preparer is someone who completed or helped complete the application at your request.

If someone prepared the form for you, identify that person as required, and the preparer must complete Part 5.

Interpreter versus preparer

These roles are different.

An interpreter helps you understand the form in another language.

A preparer helps complete the application.

One person can do both. If so, that person may need to complete both Part 4 and Part 5.

Example

Your daughter translates every question into Spanish and also types your answers into the form for you.

She may be acting as both interpreter and preparer.

Watch out for this

Having someone help you does not change whose application this is.

You are still responsible for reviewing your answers and signing your certification.

Items 3–5: Your Contact Information

What should you enter?

Enter your:

  • daytime telephone number;
  • mobile telephone number, if any; and
  • email address, if any.

These are your contact details, not your preparer’s or interpreter’s.

Watch out for this

Do not automatically copy the phone number or email address of the person helping you.

Parts 4 and 5 separately ask for their contact information.

Item 6: ABC Settlement Agreement

This question applies only to a specific group of asylum applicants.

What does “ABC” mean?

ABC refers to the settlement in American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh.

It concerns certain Salvadoran and Guatemalan nationals whose asylum cases may be covered by that settlement.

What is this question asking?

USCIS wants to know whether you are an ABC class member covered by the applicable requirements.

Watch out for this

Being Salvadoran or Guatemalan does not automatically mean you should check this box.

If you believe the ABC settlement may apply to you, review the USCIS guidance and your immigration records. If you still cannot determine whether you are covered, get qualified immigration legal help before answering.

Certification and Items 7.a–7.b: Your Signature and Date

What are you agreeing to when you sign?

Your signature is not just a formality.

You are certifying that you provided or authorized the information in the application, reviewed it, and that the information is complete, true, and correct as stated in the certification.

Read the certification before signing.

It also contains statements concerning the documents you submit, information USCIS may obtain, and other verification USCIS may perform.

“Biometrics” refers to identifying information such as fingerprints, photographs, and signatures.

What should you do?

Sign and date the application where required.

For the paper form, follow the signature rules in the I-765 instructions. Online filing has its own electronic-signature process.

Can someone else sign for me?

The instructions allow a parent or legal guardian to sign in certain circumstances, including for a child under 14. They also address signatures by a legal guardian for a person who is legally unable to sign under the applicable standard.

Simply helping someone understand English or complete a form does not automatically give you authority to sign for that person.

Watch out for this

Before signing, read the finished application, not just the questions as you originally answered them.

Check anything entered by an interpreter, preparer, family member, or other helper.

Your signature confirms the application you are actually submitting.

Part 4. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

Complete Part 4 if someone interpreted the application for you.

Items 1.a–2: Interpreter’s Name and Organization

What should be entered?

Your interpreter enters:

  • family name;
  • given name; and
  • business or organization, if applicable.

A family member can be an interpreter. The interpreter does not have to work for a translation company simply to complete this section.

Watch out for this

Someone who only translated a supporting document is not necessarily the interpreter who helped you understand the I-765 itself.

Part 4 concerns the person who interpreted the application as described in Part 3.

Items 3.a–3.h: Interpreter’s Mailing Address

The interpreter enters their own mailing address.

This does not change your mailing address and does not tell USCIS where to send your EAD.

Use the applicable fields for street and unit, city, state, ZIP code, province, postal code, and country.

Items 4–6: Interpreter’s Contact Information

The interpreter enters their:

  • daytime telephone number;
  • mobile telephone number, if any; and
  • email address, if any.

These are the interpreter’s details, not yours.

Certification and Items 7.a–7.b: Language, Signature, and Date

The interpreter identifies the language used and reads the interpreter certification.

They then sign and date their section.

Watch out for this

Check that the language listed here agrees with the language identified in Part 3, Item 1.b.

Also make sure the interpreter actually signs and dates Part 4. Completing the contact information without signing the certification leaves the section incomplete.

Part 5. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing This Application, if Other Than You

Complete Part 5 if someone else prepared the application for you.

Items 1.a–2: Preparer’s Name and Organization

The preparer enters:

  • family name;
  • given name; and
  • business or organization, if applicable.

Who counts as a preparer?

A preparer can be an attorney, accredited representative, family member, friend, or another person who completed the application at your request.

The important question is what the person did, not whether they were paid.

Items 3.a–3.h: Preparer’s Mailing Address

The preparer enters their own address.

Do not replace your Part 2 mailing address with the preparer’s address simply because that person helped complete the form.

Items 4–6: Preparer’s Contact Information

The preparer enters their own:

  • daytime telephone number;
  • mobile telephone number, if any; and
  • email address, if any.

Items 7.a–7.b: Preparer’s Role

What is this asking?

The preparer states whether they are an attorney or accredited representative and provides the additional information requested by the form.

If an attorney or accredited representative is representing you, they should also determine whether Form G-28 must be submitted.

Watch out for this

Completing Part 5 does not replace Form G-28 when a G-28 is required.

And remember: you do not need an attorney or accredited representative simply because Form I-765 contains spaces for one.

Certification and Items 8.a–8.b: Preparer’s Signature and Date

The preparer reads the certification, signs, and dates the section.

If the same person also interpreted the application for you, that person must complete the applicable interpreter section as well.

Watch out for this

Think of the signatures separately:

  • you sign your applicant certification;
  • your interpreter, if any, signs the interpreter certification; and
  • your preparer, if any, signs the preparer certification.

One person’s signature does not automatically cover another person’s role.

Part 6. Additional Information

Part 6 gives you extra space when an answer does not fit on the main form.

Items 1.a–2: Your Name and A-Number

What should you enter?

Enter your name and your A-Number, if any.

This identifies the additional information as part of your application.

Even if the explanation discusses your spouse, employer, parent, or another person’s document, the applicant identified at the top of Part 6 is still you.

Items 3.a–7.d: Identifying the Question and Giving Your Answer

What is this asking?

For every additional answer, identify the exact question you are continuing.

Enter the:

  • page number;
  • part number;
  • item number; and
  • additional information.

Example

Suppose Items 2.a–4.c do not provide enough room for all the other names you have used.

In Part 6, identify the page, part, and item for the Other Names Used question and then provide the additional name.

This lets USCIS know exactly which question your extra information belongs to.

Watch out for this

Do not simply write a paragraph in Part 6 without identifying the question it answers.

The person reviewing your application should not have to guess where the information belongs.

What if I need even more space?

You may use additional sheets following the I-765 instructions.

Make sure each additional sheet contains the identifying information required by the instructions, including your name and A-Number if applicable, and clearly identifies the page, part, and item being continued.

Sign and date additional sheets when required.

Watch out for this

An explanation in Part 6 does not replace a supporting document USCIS requires.

Part 6 gives you room to explain or continue an answer. It does not eliminate a separate evidence requirement.

Organizing Your Supporting Documents

The questions on Form I-765 and the documents you must send with it are related, but they are not the same thing.

You may use many records to help answer the form without needing to submit every one of them.

The documents USCIS requires depend heavily on your eligibility category.

For a category-based working checklist and an explanation of what each record establishes, see What supporting documents do I need for Form I-765?

Start with the Required Documentation section of the I-765 instructions and then read the instructions for your specific category.

Identity Documents and Earlier EADs

If you previously had an EAD, check the instructions for the required copy of your previous card.

When USCIS requests a copy of an EAD, check whether it requires both the front and back.

If you have never had an EAD, check the acceptable identity-document options in the instructions.

Watch out for this

Do not assume that because USCIS already has a document from an older immigration application, you never need to provide it again.

Follow the evidence requirements for this application.

I-94, Passport, and Travel Records

The general instructions may request an I-94, passport, or other travel document, with category-specific exceptions.

Check your category before deciding what to include.

Watch out for this

“I don’t have to attach this document” does not necessarily mean “I don’t have to answer the question about it.”

The form’s questions and the supporting-document requirements are separate instructions.

Documents Showing Why You Qualify

Depending on your category, USCIS may require documents showing the basis for your EAD request.

Examples can include:

  • USCIS receipt or approval notices;
  • asylum-related records;
  • school and student-status records;
  • documents concerning a spouse’s immigration case;
  • employment-related immigration records; or
  • evidence specifically required by your eligibility category.

Watch out for this

Before attaching a USCIS notice, check:

Whose name is on it?

Which form does it concern?

Is it a receipt, approval, or another type of notice?

A document can look relevant while actually belonging to a different case.

Photographs

For a paper filing, follow the current I-765 instructions for the required passport-style photographs.

Check:

  • how many photographs are required;
  • required dimensions;
  • how recent they must be;
  • background and positioning requirements; and
  • what identifying information USCIS instructs you to put on the back.

For online filing, follow the online upload instructions instead.

Form I-765WS, If Required

Some eligibility categories require Form I-765WS, Worksheet.

This form asks for financial information used in connection with certain employment-authorization requests.

Watch out for this

I-765WS is not required for every I-765 applicant.

Do not add it simply because another applicant submitted one. Check whether your category requires it.

Documents in Another Language

If you submit a document written in a language other than English, USCIS generally requires a full English translation with the translator’s certification required by the instructions.

What does the translator certify?

The translator certifies that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate the document into English, along with the identifying information required by USCIS.

Watch out for this

Do not translate only the portion of a document that seems important to you if USCIS requires a complete translation.

Keep the translation together with the document it translates.

Copies Versus Originals

Send copies unless USCIS specifically requires an original or later asks you to provide one.

Keep your original documents and a complete copy of everything you submit.

That copy can become extremely important if USCIS later asks a question about what you entered or provided.

Check How and When to File

Completing the form correctly is only part of filing Form I-765.

Before you submit it, check the current USCIS instructions for:

  • the accepted form edition;
  • your eligibility category;
  • when you are allowed to file;
  • the filing fee, if any;
  • the correct payment method;
  • whether your category can file online; and
  • the correct filing location for a paper application.

Why does the filing address matter?

USCIS filing locations can depend on your eligibility category, filing method, and sometimes other circumstances.

Do not use an address from an old application simply because USCIS accepted it before.

Why does the filing date matter?

Some categories have specific rules about when Form I-765 may be filed.

For example, certain student applications have defined filing periods.

Asylum-based EAD applications have their own timing rules. Delays connected with an asylum case can also affect the applicable waiting period, so simply counting calendar days may not always give you the correct answer.

Watch out for this

FormExplainer can help you understand the questions and identify the information USCIS is requesting. It cannot determine from the form alone whether you are legally eligible to file on a particular day or whether you may begin or continue working.

If the applicable USCIS rules and your case records do not give you a clear answer, get qualified immigration help before relying on your own calculation.

Before You Finish

Before submitting your Form I-765, make one final review.

1. Check the form edition

Confirm that USCIS still accepts edition 08/21/25 when you file.

Make sure all seven pages come from the same edition and that the page numbers and edition dates are visible.

2. Check your reason for applying

Look again at Part 1.

Make sure you correctly identified your application as:

  • initial;
  • replacement or correction; or
  • renewal.

Remember that this is different from whether you have ever filed Form I-765 before and different from your eligibility category.

3. Check your eligibility category

Look again at Item 27.

Make sure you entered the complete category that applies to this application.

Do not assume the category from an old EAD still applies simply because you used it before.

4. Check your name and other names used

Compare your legal name with your identity documents.

Then check whether you listed all other names you have used, including previous names, maiden names, aliases, or nicknames when applicable.

5. Check your addresses

Make sure your mailing address is where you can reliably receive USCIS mail and your EAD.

If you live somewhere different, make sure you separately provided your physical address.

6. Check every identification number

Review your:

  • A-Number;
  • USCIS Online Account Number;
  • Social Security number;
  • I-94 number;
  • passport or travel-document number;
  • SEVIS number, if applicable; and
  • USCIS receipt numbers requested for your category.

Read the label next to each number on the original document before copying it.

Do not assume two numbers are the same simply because they have a similar number of digits.

7. Check your immigration dates and history

Review:

  • your date of birth;
  • your most recent arrival date;
  • where you last entered the United States;
  • your status at that arrival; and
  • your current immigration status or category.

Remember that status at your last arrival, current status, and I-765 eligibility category are three different questions.

8. Check previous I-765 applications

If you have filed Form I-765 before, make sure Item 12 reflects that history even if:

  • you used a different eligibility category;
  • the application was denied;
  • it is still pending; or
  • you are making an “initial” request under a new category now.

9. Check every question that applies to your category

Some questions apply only to particular eligibility categories.

For example, review any applicable questions concerning:

  • STEM OPT;
  • an H-1B spouse;
  • an I-140 petition;
  • arrests or convictions; or
  • other category-specific requirements.

Do not stop at Item 27 after entering your eligibility category. Your category may determine which later questions you must answer.

10. Check Part 6 and extra sheets

If you continued an answer in Part 6 or on another sheet, make sure you identified the correct:

  • page number;
  • part number; and
  • item number.

Check that every additional page belongs to your application and contains the identifying information, signature, and date required by the instructions.

11. Check your supporting documents

Compare your document package with the Required Documentation section and the instructions for your specific eligibility category.

Check for:

  • required identity documents;
  • copies of previous EADs;
  • I-94, passport, or travel records when required;
  • category-specific evidence;
  • photographs;
  • Form I-765WS, if required; and
  • complete English translations and translator certifications when required.

Do not assume that another person’s I-765 document checklist is the same as yours.

12. Check every signature

Make sure you signed and dated the applicant section.

If you used an interpreter, make sure the interpreter completed, signed, and dated Part 4.

If someone prepared the application for you, make sure the preparer completed, signed, and dated Part 5.

One person’s signature does not replace another person’s required signature.

13. Check the current filing instructions

Immediately before filing, check the USCIS Form I-765 page for:

  • the accepted edition;
  • filing fee;
  • payment method;
  • filing address;
  • online-filing availability; and
  • any current instructions or notices affecting your eligibility category.

Do not rely on filing information you saved months ago if USCIS has since changed it.

14. Keep a complete copy

Before you send or submit the application, save a complete copy of:

  • the finished Form I-765;
  • every Part 6 or additional-information page;
  • every supporting document;
  • translations;
  • photographs or other items when practical;
  • payment information; and
  • proof of filing or delivery.

When USCIS sends your receipt notice, keep that with your copy of the application.

Your copy tells you what you told USCIS. Your receipt notice tells you which case USCIS received. You may need both later.

Form Version

This guide explains USCIS Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, edition 08/21/25.

Before filing, confirm that USCIS still accepts this edition and check the current USCIS instructions that apply to your eligibility category.