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Form I-765 Processing Times 2026

Current USCIS processing times for Application for Employment Authorization (EAD (Work Permit)), broken down by service center and petition category.

⚠️ Not legal advice. Processing times change frequently. Always verify at USCIS.gov. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case.
Average Minimum
NaN mo
Across all service centers
Average Maximum
NaN mo
Across all service centers
Service Centers
3
With available data

I-765 Processing Times by Service Center

Service CenterCategoryProcessing RangeData Date
NBC (c)(9) Adjustment Applicant (Pending I-485) 3.5–5.0 months Mar 2026
NSC (a)(3) Refugee 4.5–7.0 months Mar 2026
NSC (c)(3)(B) OPT - Pending H-1B Change of Status 2.0–4.0 months Mar 2026
NSC (c)(3)(C) STEM OPT Extension 3.0–4.5 months Mar 2026
NSC (c)(8) Pending Asylum Applicant (>= 180 days) 4.0–6.0 months Mar 2026
NSC OPT 3.0–5.0 months Mar 2026
TSC (c)(3)(B) OPT - Pending H-1B Change of Status 2.0–4.5 months Mar 2026
TSC (c)(3)(C) STEM OPT Extension 3.0–5.0 months Mar 2026
TSC OPT 2.0–4.0 months Mar 2026

Source: USCIS.gov. Data updated regularly.

About I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization

Form I-765 is used for: EAD (Work Permit). Processing times vary by USCIS service center and petition volume.

Premium processing (Form I-907) is available for many I-765 petitions — it guarantees a decision within 15 business days for an additional fee (currently $2,805).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does I-765 take in 2026?
I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) currently takes NaN–NaN months on average depending on the service center and petition category. Times fluctuate with USCIS workload.
What is the fastest service center for I-765?
Processing times vary by service center. Check the table above for current estimates by location. You cannot choose your service center — USCIS assigns it based on your employer's location.
Is premium processing available for I-765?
Premium processing (Form I-907, $2,805 fee) guarantees a 15 business day action for eligible I-765 categories. Not all categories are eligible — check USCIS.gov for eligibility.
How do I check my I-765 case status?
Use the USCIS Case Status Online tool at egov.uscis.gov with your receipt number, or use our free Case Status Checker at usvisastack.ai/tools/case-status.