How much does it cost to file Form I-765?

The USCIS filing fee for Form I-765 is $520, from the fee schedule effective April 1, 2024. Always confirm the current fee at uscis.gov before paying.

How long does I-765 take?

USCIS reports a typical processing range of 3-7 months for Form I-765 as of 2026-06-12. Processing times change monthly; always check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times for the current range.

How has Form I-765 processing time changed over the years?

Official USCIS fiscal-year data shows the median processing time for Form I-765 falling recently — it peaked at about 9.2 months in FY2022 and was about 0.6 months in FY2024. These are national fiscal-year medians from USCIS, useful for spotting the trend; the live tool reflects the current range.

I-765 Verified fee/form data

Application for Employment Authorization

Name: USCIS Processing Times by Form, FY2016–FY2024 - Form I-765
Creator: PetitionPace
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Applies for a work permit (EAD — Employment Authorization Document) for those who qualify under specific immigration categories.

Estimate timeline Official USCIS page

Filing fee

$520

Typical processing

3-7 months

As of 2026-06-12

How Form I-765 compares across PetitionPace forms

Total USCIS fee rank

#15 of 26

total fee $520

Vs median fee

-$20

median $540 across 26 forms

Processing high-end rank

#16 of 19

-11 mo vs median high end

Fee comparisons use only the in-repo PetitionPace USCIS form records and the cited USCIS fee schedule/form pages. They do not imply eligibility, legal strategy, or a guarantee that USCIS will accept a filing.

Processing time

This is a point-in-time estimate. USCIS changes published ranges frequently and the live tool can vary by service center and case type.

Typical range: 3-7 months

Estimate based on USCIS data reviewed 2026-06-12. Always check the live USCIS processing-times tool at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times before making decisions.

Historical processing-time trend

USCIS fiscal-year medians · FY2016–FY2024

How long Form I-765 has actually taken, year over year — straight from USCIS fiscal-year data. This is the trend the live point-in-time tool can't show you: use it to see whether waits have been getting longer or shorter.

Based on a pending asylum application

Latest 0.6 mo (FY2024) · peak 9.2 mo (FY2022) · ▼ falling

Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application

Latest 3.6 mo (FY2024) · peak 7.1 mo (FY2021) · ▼ falling

Based on parole

Latest 0.9 mo (FY2024) · peak 6.1 mo (FY2019) · ▬ steady

All other applications for employment authorization

Latest 2.9 mo (FY2024) · peak 4.7 mo (FY2022) · ▼ falling

Basis for filing	FY16	FY17	FY18	FY19	FY20	FY21	FY22	FY23	FY24
Based on a pending asylum application	2	1.7	0.9	2	2.5	3.2	9.2	1.6	0.6
Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application	2.5	3	4.1	5.1	4.8	7.1	6.7	5.5	3.6
Based on parole	2.6	2.9	3.5	6.1	4.7	0.6	1.1	1.3	0.9
All other applications for employment authorization	2.2	2.5	2.9	3.3	2.4	3	4.7	3.2	2.9

Median months from receipt to completion. National median months from receipt to completion across all USCIS offices. FY2024 reflects Oct 1, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024 (partial year). Historical fiscal-year medians use a different methodology than the live USCIS processing-times tool and are not directly comparable. Source: USCIS Historical Processing Times Trends ↗.

Filing fee

Filing fees shown here are based on the USCIS fee schedule effective April 1, 2024. USCIS fees can change; always confirm the current fee at uscis.gov before submitting a form.

Filing fee: $520

Source: USCIS Form G-1055 (effective April 1, 2024); uscis.gov/i-765

Fees and form details last reviewed June 2026 against the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, effective April 1, 2024). Always confirm the current fee at uscis.gov before filing.

Premium processing: Not available for I-765.

Where to file

Processing times are estimates based on USCIS historical data and change frequently. Always check the live USCIS processing-times tool at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times for current official ranges before making any decisions.

USCIS (online or by mail to designated USCIS facility)

Always confirm the current filing location and instructions at uscis.gov official I-765 page .

Common questions

What is Form I-765?: Applies for a work permit (EAD — Employment Authorization Document) for those who qualify under specific immigration categories.
How much does it cost to file Form I-765?: The USCIS filing fee for Form I-765 is $520, from the fee schedule effective April 1, 2024. Always confirm the current fee at uscis.gov before paying.
How long does I-765 take?: USCIS reports a typical processing range of 3-7 months for Form I-765 as of 2026-06-12. Processing times change monthly; always check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times for the current range.
How has Form I-765 processing time changed over the years?: Official USCIS fiscal-year data shows the median processing time for Form I-765 falling recently — it peaked at about 9.2 months in FY2022 and was about 0.6 months in FY2024. These are national fiscal-year medians from USCIS, useful for spotting the trend; the live tool reflects the current range.

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