I-765 processing time by month
Form I-765 is the application for an employment authorization document (EAD), the work permit used by green card applicants, asylum seekers, students and many dependents.[4] It is USCIS's highest-volume benefit form. USCIS defines the figure as "the number of months it took for an application, petition, or request to be processed from receipt to completion," averaged over all cases completed in the month, and notes it "may differ from processing times reported on other USCIS.gov webpages."[1]
| Month | Received | Approved | Denied | Pending | Pending >6 mo | Avg. time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | 130,329 | 125,318 | 29,906 | 1,921,541 | 1,252,419 | 6.8 mo |
| Jul 2026 | 153,170 | 135,089 | 30,068 | 2,100,336 | 1,383,136 | 5.8 mo |
| Jun 2026 | 175,621 | 159,956 | 21,545 | 2,112,052 | 1,368,866 | 5.0 mo |
| May 2026 | 202,820 | 96,630 | 24,454 | 2,119,836 | 1,327,968 | 4.7 mo |
| Apr 2026 | 240,636 | 109,104 | 16,575 | 2,032,567 | 1,277,556 | 4.6 mo |
| Mar 2026 | 262,829 | 105,371 | 15,051 | 1,918,736 | 1,226,826 | 4.5 mo |
| Feb 2026 | 209,279 | 102,530 | 12,031 | 1,775,015 | 1,175,147 | 4.8 mo |
| Jan 2026 | 177,289 | 133,580 | 13,025 | 1,678,637 | 1,128,924 | 4.2 mo |
| Dec 2025 | 187,268 | 124,110 | 14,170 | 1,622,351 | 1,057,281 | 4.1 mo |
| Nov 2025 | 200,950 | 165,053 | 15,993 | 1,576,773 | 999,699 | 3.5 mo |
| Oct 2025 | 237,428 | 233,842 | 19,939 | 1,679,166 | 1,028,964 | 3.6 mo |
| Sep 2025 | 225,595 | 262,688 | 22,980 | 1,698,599 | 911,946 | 3.7 mo |
Since November 2022 the monthly average ranged from 2.5 mo (November 2024) to 7.8 mo (November 2022).[3]
Trend since Nov 2022
- I-765 (work permit)
Volume behind the I-765 average
USCIS received 130,329 I-765s in August 2026 and completed 155,224, leaving 1,921,541 pending.[1] Because the report averages every eligibility category together, an EAD based on a pending I-485 can take a different time from one based on asylum or student status.
Using the I-765 with a green card case
Adjustment applicants usually file the I-765 with their I-485 so they can work while the case is pending, including when the I-485 was filed under the Dates for Filing chart.[4] Compare with the I-485 processing time, see which chart is open on the USCIS visa bulletin page, or return to all USCIS processing times.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an I-765 work permit take?
Across all categories, completed I-765s took 6.8 mo on average in August 2026. Times differ a lot between categories and service centers.
Can I renew my EAD early?
USCIS generally accepts renewal applications up to 180 days before the current card expires. Check the I-765 page for your category’s rules and any automatic extension.
Is premium processing available for I-765?
Only for certain categories that USCIS has designated, such as some student categories. Most I-765s cannot be expedited with premium processing.
Sources
- Number of Service-Wide Forms by Month, Form Status, and Processing Time: August 2026 (report to Congress, CSV)
- Number of Service-Wide Forms by Month, Form Status, and Processing Time: August 2025 (report to Congress, CSV)
- Number of Service-Wide Forms by Month, Form Status, and Processing Time: November 2022 (report to Congress, CSV)
- I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
- Check Case Processing Times