Complete Guide to Form I-765
A complete field-by-field guide to the Application for Employment Authorization, including initial, renewal and replacement EAD requests, personal information, Social Security options, U.S. immigration history, eligibility categories, STEM OPT, H-4, asylum-related questions, signatures and supporting evidence.
Before You Start: Confirm Your Eligibility Category
Form I-765 is used by specific categories of foreign nationals to request employment authorization or evidence of employment authorization. Your eligibility category determines what evidence, fees and additional questions apply.
Two applicants can complete the same Form I-765 but have completely different filing requirements because they qualify under different categories. Do not select a category merely because another applicant used it. All sample information below is fictional.
Reason for Applying
Initial Permission to Accept Employment
Select this when you are requesting an EAD for the first time under the particular eligibility category.
Replacement of a Lost, Stolen or Damaged EAD
Select this when a previously issued employment authorization document was lost, stolen or damaged.
Correction of an EAD Not Due to USCIS Error
Use the replacement option when the card contains incorrect information and the error was not caused by USCIS.
The current form notes that correction of an EAD due to USCIS error does not require a new Form I-765 and filing fee; follow USCIS replacement instructions instead.
Renewal of Permission to Accept Employment
Select renewal when requesting another EAD under the same applicable category. Attach a copy of your previous employment authorization document as required.
Information About You — Legal Name
Your Full Legal Name
Enter your Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name exactly as they appear in your legal identity records.
GIVEN NAME: EMMA
MIDDLE NAME: SOPHIE
Other Names Used
Provide all other names you have ever used, including aliases, maiden names and nicknames. The form provides multiple sets of name fields.
U.S. Mailing and Physical Address
In Care Of Name
If mail is being sent through another person, enter that person's name where appropriate. Otherwise follow the form instructions for an inapplicable field.
U.S. Mailing Address
Provide the street number and name, apartment, suite or floor, city or town, state and ZIP Code where you can reliably receive USCIS mail.
Is Your Mailing Address the Same as Your Physical Address?
U.S. Physical Address
Provide the actual U.S. address where you physically reside.
Immigration Identification Numbers
Alien Registration Number — A-Number
Enter your A-Number if USCIS or another immigration authority has assigned one to you.
USCIS Online Account Number
Enter your USCIS Online Account Number if you have one. This is not the same as your A-Number, receipt number or Social Security Number.
Personal Information
Gender
Marital Status
Previous Form I-765 Filing
Have You Previously Filed Form I-765?
Social Security Number and Card
Form I-765 can also be used to request certain Social Security Administration services. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}
Has the Social Security Administration Ever Issued You a Social Security Card?
U.S. Social Security Number
Enter your actual U.S. SSN if one has been issued. Do not enter a foreign tax number, passport number or national identification number.
Do You Want the SSA to Issue You a Social Security Card?
Consent for Disclosure to SSA
If requesting a Social Security card, you must provide the consent requested by the form allowing USCIS to disclose the necessary information to SSA.
Father's Birth Name
Provide your father's Family Name and Given Name at birth.
Mother's Birth Name
Provide your mother's Family Name and Given Name at birth.
Country of Citizenship or Nationality
Country 1
List the country where you are currently a citizen or national.
Country 2
If you currently have citizenship or nationality in another country, list it in the second field. Use Part 6 if additional space is needed.
Information About Your Last Arrival in the United States
Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number
Enter the I-94 number associated with your applicable last arrival, if one exists.
Passport Number
Enter the passport number associated with the applicable entry.
Travel Document Number
Enter a travel-document number if one was used.
Country That Issued Your Passport or Travel Document
Enter the actual country of issuance shown on the relevant document.
Expiration Date of Passport or Travel Document
Copy the expiration date directly from the document.
Date of Your Last Arrival
Enter the actual date you most recently arrived in the United States.
Place of Your Last Arrival
Provide the location where you last entered the United States. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}
Immigration Status at Your Last Arrival
Enter the actual status or classification under which you last entered. For example, USCIS gives “B-2 visitor” as an example of how to identify a B-2 admission. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="3"}
Current Immigration Status and SEVIS Number
Current Immigration Status or Category
Provide your current immigration status or category. This can differ from the classification you had when you last arrived. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="4"}
SEVIS Number
If you were issued a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System number, enter that SEVIS number. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="5"}
Eligibility Category
Eligibility Category — Item 27
Find the employment-authorization category that actually applies to you in the current Form I-765 Instructions and enter its letter and number. USCIS instructs applicants to enter only one eligibility category. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="6"}
The category must match your own immigration basis. A pending application can also use a different I-765 category from the category used after the underlying benefit is granted.
Common Examples of Eligibility Categories
STEM OPT Eligibility Information
Degree Level and Major
If your eligibility category is (c)(3)(C), provide your degree level and major. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="7"}
Employer Name as Listed in E-Verify
Provide the employer name exactly as it appears in E-Verify.
E-Verify Company Identification Number
Provide the employer's E-Verify Company Identification Number or valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="8"}
H-4 Eligibility Information
Spouse's Most Recent Form I-129 Receipt Number
If you entered category (c)(26), provide the receipt number from your spouse's most recent Form I-797 notice for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="9"}
Pending Asylum Eligibility Information
Have You Ever Been Arrested for and/or Convicted of Any Crime?
USCIS specifically asks the criminal-history question for category (c)(8) and directs Yes applicants to the special filing instructions. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="10"}
(c)(35) and (c)(36) Eligibility Information
Form I-140 Receipt Number
For categories (c)(35) and (c)(36), provide the applicable Form I-140 receipt number, including the receipt for the spouse's or parent's Form I-140 when applicable. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="11"}
Have You Ever Been Arrested for and/or Convicted of Any Crime?
Applicant's Statement, Contact Information and Signature
Applicant's Statement
Indicate whether you read and understood the application yourself or whether an interpreter read the application to you.
Use of a Preparer
Indicate if someone other than you prepared the application.
Daytime Telephone Number
Provide your current daytime telephone number.
Mobile Telephone Number
Provide your mobile telephone number if applicable.
Email Address
Provide your current email address if applicable.
Applicant's Declaration and Certification
Read the declaration and certification carefully before signing. You certify that the application and evidence are complete, true and correct.
Applicant Signature and Date
USCIS states that a stamped or typewritten name in place of the required signature is not acceptable. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="12"}
Interpreter's Contact Information, Certification and Signature
Interpreter Full Name
Provide the interpreter's Family Name and Given Name.
Business or Organization Name
Provide the interpreter's business or organization name if applicable.
Mailing Address
Provide the complete interpreter mailing address requested by the form.
Telephone and Email
Provide daytime telephone, mobile telephone and email address where applicable.
Interpreter Certification
The interpreter certifies that they are fluent in English and the language used to interpret the application, and that the questions and answers were interpreted accurately.
Interpreter Signature and Date
The interpreter signs and dates this section when an interpreter was used. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="13"}
Preparer's Contact Information, Declaration and Signature
Preparer Full Name
Provide the preparer's Family Name and Given Name.
Business or Organization Name
Provide the preparer's business or organization name where applicable.
Mailing Address
Provide the preparer's full mailing address.
Telephone and Email
Provide the preparer's daytime telephone, mobile telephone and email address where applicable.
Attorney or Accredited Representative
Complete the applicable representation information if the preparer is an attorney or accredited representative.
Preparer Certification, Signature and Date
The preparer certifies that the application was prepared at the applicant's request using information provided or authorized by the applicant.
Additional Information
Applicant Name
Enter your identifying name information at the top of Part 6.
A-Number
Enter your A-Number in the additional-information section if applicable.
Page Number, Part Number and Item Number
For every additional answer, identify exactly which Page Number, Part Number and Item Number the information relates to.
PART NUMBER: 2
ITEM NUMBER: 27
Additional Sheets
If Part 6 does not provide enough room, follow the USCIS instructions for attaching additional sheets and clearly identify the corresponding page, part and item.
Supporting Evidence and Final Checks
Evidence of Your Eligibility Category
Submit the evidence required for the exact category entered in Item 27. Different eligibility categories require different supporting documents.
Previous EAD
For renewal or replacement cases, include a copy of the prior EAD or other required evidence.
Government-Issued Identification
Submit the identification documents required under your category and USCIS instructions.
Passport-Style Photographs
Provide passport-style photographs when required by the filing instructions for your category and filing method.
Form I-94
Provide a copy of your I-94 or other admission/parole documentation where required for your category.
Underlying Application, Petition or Status Evidence
Depending on the category, you may need evidence of an underlying Form I-485, asylum application, student status, H-4 relationship, approved petition or another qualifying immigration basis.
Criminal Records for Applicable Categories
For categories that specifically ask about arrests or convictions, provide the court dispositions and other records required by USCIS instructions.
Foreign-Language Documents
Foreign-language documents submitted to USCIS must include the required complete English translation and translator certification.
Final Review Before Filing
Initial, replacement or renewal selected correctly
Current legal name
Every other name used
U.S. mailing address
Physical address if different
A-Number
USCIS Online Account Number
Gender and marital status
Previous Form I-765 filing
Social Security information
SSA card request and consent if applicable
Parents' birth names if required
All countries of citizenship or nationality
I-94 number
Passport or travel-document information
Date and place of last arrival
Status at last arrival
Current immigration status
SEVIS number if applicable
Correct eligibility category
STEM OPT information if applicable
H-4 receipt information if applicable
(c)(8) criminal-history answer if applicable
(c)(35)/(c)(36) information if applicable
Applicant signature and date
Interpreter section if applicable
Preparer section if applicable
Required supporting evidence
Form I-765 must reflect your own identity, immigration status, entry history, employment-authorization category, Social Security information and supporting evidence.