How to apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Form I-765

How to apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or  Form I-765

This blog is based on my experience of applying for EAD for my spouse. Please be noted that all the content/steps mentioned below are as on 01^st October 2017. Fees/procedure may change in future.

I came to USA from Bangalore/India on L1 visa and my spouse is holding a L2 dependent visa. For H4 applicants it is similar with slight variation in documentation.

If you are in L2 visa, you can apply for SSN number, So before filling for EAD, better to get the SSN number. But this is optional

Form I-765

First you need to fill form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You can download from following link:

Download Form I-765

Open the pdf and you can type in the information. Filling is almost straight forward, just fill the appropriate code in question 16. 

I94 form

The Arrival and Departure Record is the I-94, in electronic format, issued by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer to foreign visitors entering the USA

You will also need I94 form for both L1 and L2 visa holders. You can download from below link. Enter your passport number, name, date of birth etc.

Download I94 form

Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Optional)

Fill this form if you want to get e notification when the immigration office receives your application. Please click on the link to view the form:

Download Form G-1145

Documents

Completed I765 form

Completed Form G-1145 (optional)

EAD Application Fee check/money order for $410 as on 1^st Oct 2017

Marriage Certificate copy in English

SSN number or ITIN number (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)

Copy of L1 holder/L2 holder front/back/biographic and visa pages

2 color 2X2 inch photo.

I 94 forms for L1 and L2 holders

I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition for L visa holders

Form I-797, Approval Notice

Pay slip of L1 holder(optional)

Fees

I took money order from United States Post Office(USPS) for $410. You can walk in to any post office and get the money order. They give a empty money order with amount printed on it. You need to write the payee address, your address and propose of money order in memo section. You can pay the amount using debit card and cannot use credit card for payment in post office.

You can also pay the fees with check. My spouse doesn’t have bank account and I don’t have clarity if I can issue check for my spouse fees. Some immigration consultants say it is not a issue. To be safer side, I just went to post office and took money order.

Photo

You need to attach two copy of passport size photo. You can walk in to CVS pharmacy or Walgreens to take a photo. It cost you approx $15 for two copies.

Filling address

The filing address depends on the eligibility category you entered in Question 16 in form I765. Address depends on the state where you live in, category like L2, dependent, H4 holder etc 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses

You can post the application form and the documents via USPS post office or FedEx. I used fedex normal courier which costs me $10 and Within 3-4 days courier got delivered.

You will receive the SMS and a postal letter within a week with the reference no.

You can check the status of application with the reference number at the following link:

Check EAD status

Following blogs can also help:

https://4joyofsharing.blogspot.com/2013/09/mission-one-accomplished-my-l2-ead.html

https://redbus2us.com/ead-for-h4-filing-experience-check-list-covering-letter-how-to-guide/