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Instructions for Electronic Filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Please Note: Requests for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals cannot be e-filed. 

The steps to e-File this form are:

  1. We recommend reading the form instructions first.
  2. Check the chart below to see if e-Filing is available for your filing category.
  3. If you are eligible to e-File, go to the e-Filing log-in page and fill out Form I-765 online.
  4. Once you have paid, we will provide you with an electronic confirmation receipt that:
    • Includes your receipt number.
    • Tells you where to mail the required supporting documents listed in the form instructions. If you do not send the required documents to the address listed on the confirmation receipt, your application may be delayed or denied.
    • USCIS will mail you a Form I-797, Notice of Action.  This is the notice you should use as evidence that you filed this application.  If biometric services are required, we will send you an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center.
  5. The USCIS office where your case is assigned will adjudicate your application.

E-Filing Eligibility

You may e-File Form I-765 if…

You may not e-File Form I-765 if…

  • You pay the Form I-765 filing fee; and,
  • You are an applicant in one of the following categories:

Asylee/Refugee Categories:

(a)(3) Refugee

(a)(4) Paroled Refugee

(a)(5) Asylee

(c)(8) Asylum applicant

Nationality Categories:

(a)(8) Citizen of Micronesia/Marshall Islands or Palau

(a)(12) Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Re-registration. E-File Form I-821 first.

(c)(19) Temporary Treatment Benefits. Re-registration.E-File Form I-821 first.

(c)(2) Dependent of TECRO E-1 Nonimmigrant (CCNAA Member)

Foreign Students:

(c)(3)(a) Pre-Completion Opt 12 Months

(c)(3)(b) Post-Completion Opt 12 Months

(c)(3)(c) 17-Month STEM Extension

(c)(3)(ii) F-1 Student offered off-campus employment under the sponsorship of a qualifying international organization

(c)(3)(iii) F-1 Student seeking off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship (This category is not
related to consideration of deferred action for childhood
arrivals
)

(c)(5) J-2 Spouse or Minor Child of an Exchange Visitor

(c)(6) M-1 Student Seeking Practical Training After Completing Studies

Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Categories:

(c)(17)(i) B-1 Domestic Employee of nonimmigrant

(c)(17)(ii) B-1 Domestic of certain U.S. citizens

(c)(17)(iii) Employee foreign airline

(a)(17) Spouse of E-1 or E-2 Nonimmigrant

(a)(18) Spouse of L1 Nonimmigrant

Family-Based Nonimmigrant Categories:

(a)(6) Fiancé (K-1 or K2)

(a)(13)  Aliens Granted Family Unity Benefits

EAD Applicants Who Have Filed for Adjustment of Status:

(c)(9) Adjustment applicants who are required to pay a fee for Form I-765.

(c)(16) Adjustment Applicant Based on Continuous Residence Since January 1, 1972

Other Categories:

(a)(7) Aliens Admitted (N-8 or N-9)

(a)(10) Granted Withholding of Deportation/243 (H)

(c)(10) Applicant for Suspension of Deportation (Non-NACARA)

(c)(11) Public interest parolee sec 212.5

(c)(14) Deferred Action (This category is not related to consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals).

(c)(18) Final Order of Deportation

(c)(25) T Dependents

(c)(22) Sec. 245A Legalization

  • You are a lawful permanent resident (you do not need an EAD).
  • You are applying for a fee waiver or are not required to pay the filing fee.
  • You are requesting deferred action for childhood arrivals (Mail forms I-765, I-821D and I-765 WS to the appropriate Lockbox address).
  • You are filing to correct data due to USCIS administrative error.
  • You are requesting consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals
  • You are an applicant in one of the following categories:

Nationality Categories:

(a)(11) Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)/Extended Voluntary Departure

(c)(10) NACARA Section 203 Applicants who are eligible for NACARA relief

Eligible Dependents of Employees of Diplomatic Missions, International Organizations or NATO:

(c)(1) Dependent of A-1 or A-2 Foreign Government Officials

(c)(4) Dependent of G-1, G-3 or G-4 Nonimmigrants

(c)(7) NATO Dependent

Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Categories:

(c)(12) Spouse of an E-2 CNMI Investor

Family-Based Nonimmigrant Categories:

(a)(9) K-3 Nonimmigrant Spouse of U.S. Citizen or K-4 Dependent

(a)(14) LIFE Legalization

(a)(15) V-1, 2 or 3 Nonimmigrants

EAD Applicants Who Have Filed for Adjustment of Status:

(c)(9) Adjustment applicant who are not required to pay a fee for Form I-765.

Other Categories:

(c)(24) LIFE Legalization

(a)(16) T-1 Nonimmigrant

(a)(19) U-1 Nonimmigrant

(a)(20) U-2, U-3, U-4, or U-5 Nonimmigrant

(c)(31) VAWA Self Petitioner

(c)(33) Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (For more information on this category, please see consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals).

Filing Fee

The fee for e-Filing Form I-765 is $380. If a fee does not apply in your case, you must file using the paper Form I-765.

Concurrent Filing

You can e-File Form I-765 together with the following applications:

  • Form I-131, Application For Travel Documents: Only (c)(9) Adjustment of Status applicants who are required to pay a fee for Forms I-131 and I-765. E-File Form I-765 first. The e-Filing system will then automatically generate a Form I-131 for completion.
  • Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status: Only E-1, E-2, and L-1 Dependents.  File Form I-539 first.  The e-Filing system will then automatically generate a Form I-765 for completion.
  • Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status: Re-registrations only. If you e-File Form I-821, you must also e-File Form I-765.  E-File Form I-821 first.  The e-Filing system will then automatically generate a Form I-765 for completion. A list of designated countries and registration dates can be found here: http://www.uscis.gov/tps.

Please see the “E-Filing Forms Concurrently” webpage for more information.

Change of Address

If you have e-Filed a form and need to update your address, please refer to our "Change of Address Information" webpage.

This page can be found at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-filing-i-765





Last updated:08/24/2012