Want to kickstart your career in the United States? Find out whether you need an EAD or how to renew your expired one! It’s important to know whether you’re authorized to work before seeking employment. So read this article to find out how you can get an Employment Authorization Card renewal right now in 2023. Let’s go!
What is an Employment Authorization Card?
Do you live in the United States? It’s likely that you’ll want to start work at some point. In this case, any employer that you apply to work for in the United States will have to check whether you are allowed to work.
If you’re looking to prove that you are allowed to work in the United States, having an Employment Authorization Card is one of the ways you can do this. However, this type of document does expire, so it’s important to keep track of when you should renew your Employment Authorization Card.
To apply for an Employment Authorization Card, you will need to complete and submit Form I-765 to the USCIS.
There are various reasons why you might want to apply for employment authorization, such as:
- You are of asylum or refugee status
- You are required to apply for employment authorization (F1 & M1 Students)
- You have a pending application for permanent residence
- You have a pending application for asylum
What is the Employment Authorization Card Renewal Process?
You can renew your Employment Authorization Card if you have successfully applied for employment authorization in the past and are still eligible. This process is necessary when your EAD is about to expire or has already done so.
The process of EAD renewal is the same as your original application. Simply complete and submit a new Form I-765 with all the necessary information and documents. You will also need to pay a fee unless your fee has been waived.
The USCIS Office recommends that as soon as your EAD has only 180 days left until it expires, you should apply for a renewal of your Employment Authorization Card. This will allow you time to still be authorized whilst your renewal is being processed.
What are the Documents Required for an Employment Authorization Card?
When submitting your EAD and Form I-765 application, it is very important that you make sure you have all the required documents and information. This is to ensure you have the best possible outcome and helps to avoid any delays in the process.
Documents Required for an Employment Authorization Card
- Completed Form I-94
- Passport or a different travel document
- Your previous EAD (renewal only)
- Two copies of a Passport-style photo
- Completed Form G-28 (if you have a representative, attorney etc.)
- A government-issued form of identity
- Your United States visa (if you have one)
- A receipt notice from the USCIS (when submitting Form I-485)
It is possible that there may be other documents required in your specific circumstances. In this scenario, it is best to research for yourself, exactly which documents you need. This can be done through the USCIS website concerning employment authorization.
When Do You Not Need to Apply for an EAD?
When considering whether you want to work in the United States, you should find out whether you actually need to apply for employment authorization and get an EAD.
If you have lawful permanent residence status, it is not necessary for you to apply for an Employment Authorization Card. Lawful permanent residence status is when you are a holder of a Green Card.
You also do not need to apply for an EAD if you hold a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to be employed by a certain employer. If you’re not sure whether you need to apply for an EAD or not, you can always contact your local USCIS office, or consult their website for further information.
How Long Does it Take to Renew an Employment Authorization Card?
If you need to renew your Employment Authorization Card, make sure you leave enough time before it expires for you to receive a new one. This is so that you can prove your employment authorization before your EAD expires.
Whilst the USCIS do recommend that you apply for an Employment Authorization Card renewal 180 days before your current one is due to expire, the time it takes for your renewal to be processed is around 90 days.
What is the Cost of an Employment Authorization Card?
There are multiple fees when you apply for your Employment Authorization Card, make sure you consider other costs if you need to create multiple copies of documents and send your application in the mail.
Submitting your EAD incurs an application fee and a biometric appointment fee.
- Application fee: $410 USD
- Biometric appointment: $85 USD
These costs can be paid through check or money order if you are posting your application. If you apply online through the USCIS website, you can use a debit or credit card to pay.
Where to Get Your Passport Photo for an EAD Fastly, Correctly & Cheaply
If you don’t know already, you’ll need two copies of a Passport-style photo of yourself for your Employment Authorization Card application.
Not sure where to get them? Or maybe you’ve just not got the time to go out and find one. That’s not a problem, you can use our ICAO-compliant Passport photo app – Smartphone iD.
Not only can we guarantee your photos are 100% compliant with national standards, but you can take them with your smartphone at home which is both convenient and flexible!
If you choose our Smartphone iD App
- No expensive equipment required
- Biometric expert checks on every photo
- Easily take photos from home
- Competitive price and speedy delivery!
Summary
The best way to make your Employment Authorization Card application or renewal an easy process is to be sure that you’ve collected the necessary documents. This way, you’ll avoid delays and rejection. One of the most important documents is a Passport-style photo that is compliant with requirements. With Smartphone iD, you’ll have no trouble getting a quick photo that is correct with our zero-hassle process.
Why not use Smartphone iD today?
