You know your EAD is expiring, and it has quietly been the key to keeping your career on track. Every paycheck, every project you’ve completed, and every opportunity you’ve had to grow professionally has depended on it. Now, with its expiration date approaching, you realize how important it is to renew it on time.
Missing the renewal window could mean losing your job, your income, and your ability to stay in the role you’ve worked hard to build. In some cases, even a short lapse in work authorization can cause complications with your employer or immigration status.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about EAD renewal: how to file, the fees involved, how long it might take, and what you can do to avoid gaps in work authorization. Renewing early means protecting both your career and your stability.
What is EAD and why do you renew EAD?
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a card issued by USCIS that lets certain noncitizens legally work in the U.S. It’s your proof of work authorization; employers check it, and you need it to maintain lawful employment.
You might need an EAD if you are a pending asylee, a refugee adjustment applicant, or a DACA beneficiary. It’s also common for F-1 students on OPT or STEM OPT, and for spouses of certain visa holders like H-1B, L-1, or E visas. Individuals with TPS or other humanitarian protections also rely on an EAD as proof of their legal right to work.
Renewing your EAD is necessary when your current card is close to expiring and you want to avoid any gap in work authorization. Here’s why you may need to renew:
- Continue working legally in the U.S. when your current EAD expires.
- Avoid gaps in work authorization by renewing up to 180 days before expiration.
- Maintain employment while other immigration applications are pending.
- Benefit from automatic extensions of up to 540 days for eligible categories.
- Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged EAD or fix non-USCIS errors.
- Stay compliant with legal requirements and maintain a lawful status.
How Do You Renew an EAD card?
Here’s the complete step-by-step process:
- Download and complete Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) – Always use the most recent version from USCIS.
- Check your eligibility category – Make sure the code on your EAD (e.g., (c)(9), (c)(8), (c)(3)(C)) matches your current status.
- Prepare supporting documents – This usually includes:
a. Copy of your expiring or expired EAD (front and back)
b. Passport biographical page or other ID
c. I-94 record
d. Recent passport-style photos
e. Proof of eligibility (I-797 approval notice, I-20, TPS approval, etc.) - Gather your payment or fee waiver request – Check the current EAD renewal fee or submit Form I-912 if requesting a waiver.
- Choose your filing method –
a. By mail: Print, sign, and assemble your packet. Include Form G-1145 for text/email alerts. Send it to the correct USCIS address.
b. Online: Create or log in to your USCIS account, upload all documents, and pay electronically. - Review before sending – Make sure there are no missing signatures, incorrect fees, or missing documents.
- Submit and track your application – You’ll get a receipt notice (Form I-797C) confirming your EAD renewal is in process.
How long does EAD renewal take?
USCIS processing times vary depending on your eligibility category, the service center handling your case, and whether you filed online or by mail. On average, EAD card renewal processing time can range from 3-7 months. Sometimes, it may take longer due to:
- Missing or incomplete documents
- Filing under the wrong eligibility category
- Delays at specific USCIS service centers
- Additional evidence requests (RFEs)
- System backlogs
If you’re eligible, you may receive an automatic extension of your work authorization. As of 2025, USCIS allows up to a 540-day automatic extension for certain renewal applicants who file on time. This means you can keep working while your renewal is pending, as long as your case qualifies.
It’s important to file your EAD renewal about 180 days before your current card expires to avoid any work gap. You can check updated processing times on the USCIS Processing Times page and track your case using your receipt number.
How much does EAD renewal cost?
At the time of writing, USCIS charges $550 for initial EAD applications and $275 for EAD renewal/extension applications.
However, fee amounts can change, so it’s best to confirm on the USCIS Fee Schedule before filing. You may qualify for a fee waiver if you can show financial hardship, using Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver.
Remember, the fee is the same whether you file online or by mail, and payment methods differ: credit card, debit card, or ACH for online; check or money order for paper filings. Always include the correct fee; sending the wrong amount can result in rejection and delay your renewal.
Can I renew EAD while working?
Yes, if you qualify for USCIS’s automatic extension policy. Renewal applicants who file on time receive an automatic extension of up to 540 days past their current EAD’s expiration date for eligible categories.
For some categories, like STEM OPT students, the automatic extension remains 180 days only. TPS-based EADs have a separate extension rule, typically up to 1 year or the duration of TPS, whichever is shorter, often governed by Federal Register notices.
To prove eligibility to your employer, present:
- Your expired EAD card
- The I-797C receipt notice for your timely-filed renewal
- Any other required status documentation
Employers can verify your continued authorization through the I-9 process. Keep in mind that if your case is denied before the extension period ends, your work authorization stops immediately. Always keep copies of your filing confirmation and monitor your case status.
Take Action Now
Renewing your EAD on time is key to keeping your job and maintaining lawful work status in the U.S. File early, track your case, and respond quickly to any USCIS requests, if any. Use the USCIS case tracker, sign up for updates, and speak with an immigration attorney if you encounter issues.
If you have further questions about your specific case, visit ImmigrationQuestion.com and ask your own questions for free. You will get answers within hours from experienced immigration attorneys. You may even qualify for a free consultation.
Don’t wait until the last minute; start your renewal process on time to avoid unnecessary stress, keep your employment uninterrupted, and ensure your career stays on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the renewal process the same as the initial filing?
Mostly, yes. You still use Form I-765, but for renewals, you provide your previous EAD copy and proof of ongoing eligibility.
2. What if my EAD has expired already?
You cannot work unless you qualify for an automatic extension. If not, stop working until your new card is approved.
3. Can I file online or only by mail?
You can file both ways. EAD renewal online is available for many categories.
4. Do I need to reapply if I changed eligibility category?
Yes, use the new category code and provide updated supporting documents.
