US work permit: EAD categories and fees
What codes c08, c09, c03 and c11 mean on Form I-765, who doesn't need an EAD, what the permit costs in 2026 under the new law and when to file for renewal.
- The EAD category is entered as a code in question 27 of Form I-765: it sets the filing time and the fee.
- The general fee is $520 on paper or $470 online; with an I-485 filed after 1 April 2024 it is $260.
- Asylum applicants (c08) file 150 days after the I-589 and pay a separate $560 fee under Pub. L. 119-21.
- Pactors will find you an expert free of charge to determine your category.
A US work permit (the EAD card) looks the same for everyone, but the grounds and rules behind it differ. Everything is set by the category code.
Who needs an EAD
You need one if your status doesn't give an automatic right to work: if you have a pending green card or asylum application, or your status allows work only with USCIS permission, as for F-1 students.
Green card holders work on the card itself. Nor do people who work for a specific employer by virtue of their status need an EAD: H-1B, L-1B, O and P.
Common categories
| Code | Who files | When to file |
|---|---|---|
| c08 | asylum applicant | 150 days after the I-589; it can be issued after 180 |
| c09 | people with a pending I-485 | together with the I-485 or later |
| c03 | F-1 student on OPT | from 90 days before the programme ends to no later than 60 days after |
| c11 | people paroled into the US | after entry |
For c08, delays you caused yourself are not counted towards the 150 days. The 2026 asylum rules are covered in a separate article.
What it costs in 2026
| Case | Fee |
|---|---|
| general fee | $520 on paper or $470 online |
| with an I-485 filed from 1 April 2024 and still pending | $260 |
| with an I-485 filed with a fee before 1 April 2024 | no fee |
| initial EAD under c08 | no USCIS fee, a separate $560 under Pub. L. 119-21 |
| c08 renewal | $520 or $470 plus $275 |
Fees under Pub. L. 119-21 are paid as a separate payment and cannot be waived.
Renewal
USCIS advises filing for renewal as soon as the card is within 180 days of expiring: that lowers the risk of a gap between two cards. The application can be prepared through EAD processing; if you need to leave while an I-485 is pending, you'll need advance parole.
Common questions
What if there is a mistake on my EAD card?
Does a green card holder need an EAD?
Sources
- USCIS — Form I-765
- USCIS — Employment Authorization Document
- USCIS — fee schedule G-1055 (edition of 09/09/2026)
- 8 CFR 274a.12 — classes eligible for work authorisation
Links checked on 27 September 2026
