I-765 Processing Time 2026

Name: USCIS Form I-765 national median processing time by quarter
Creator: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: how long USCIS takes, from its own quarterly data for Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3).

Based on pending I-485 (c)(9)6.4 monthsUp from 4.3 months in Jan–Mar 2026.82,172 completed in the quarter · 671,362 pending nationwide

All other categories (not I-485, asylum or DACA based)3.3 monthsDown from 4.5 months in Jan–Mar 2026.145,443 completed in the quarter · 1,098,913 pending nationwide

Asylum-based0.8 monthsUp from 0.6 months in Jan–Mar 2026.128,951 completed in the quarter · 108,565 pending nationwide

DACA4.1 monthsUp from 3.9 months in Jan–Mar 2026.76,535 completed in the quarter · 231,872 pending nationwide

Half of the cases USCIS completed in Apr–Jun 2026 took this long or less (national median). Your case may differ: offices and individual cases vary. Not legal advice.

Trend by quarter

National median in months for each USCIS fiscal-year quarter we have the report for (FY = October–September). “n/a” = USCIS no longer hosts that quarter’s report.

Based on pending I-485 (c)(9)

All other categories (not I-485, asylum or DACA based)

Asylum-based

DACA

Quarter	Based on pending I-485 (c)(9)	All other categories (not I-485, asylum or DACA based)	Asylum-based	DACA
FY26 Q3 Apr–Jun 2026	6.4	3.3	0.8	4.1
FY26 Q2 Jan–Mar 2026	4.3	4.5	0.6	3.9
FY26 Q1 Oct–Dec 2025	—	—	—	—
FY25 Q4 Jul–Sep 2025	2.3	3.3	1.3	0.4

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What is Form I-765?

Form I-765 requests an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, “work permit”). People file it in many situations: while an I-485 is pending (category (c)(9)), for OPT and STEM OPT, as an asylum applicant, under DACA, as an H-4 or L-2 spouse, and more.

USCIS publishes separate medians for EADs based on a pending I-485, asylum, DACA, and all other categories.

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (uscis.gov)

What affects the processing time

Eligibility category: each one is a separate queue.
Whether biometrics are needed or can be reused.
Premium processing exists only for some categories, such as OPT and STEM OPT.
Card production and mailing after approval.
Requests for Evidence (RFE): the clock keeps running while you gather and mail the response, and the case waits for it.

Typical steps

Receipt notice (I-797C)USCIS accepts the filing and mails/posts a receipt with your receipt number and received date.uscis.gov
BiometricsUSCIS may schedule (or reuse) your biometrics to produce the card.uscis.gov
Request for Evidence (if needed)USCIS may ask for more documents. Answer by the deadline on the notice.
ApprovalPremium processing is available only for certain categories, e.g. OPT/STEM OPT (30 business days).uscis.gov
Card produced and mailedAfter approval the card is produced and mailed; USPS tracking appears in your case status.uscis.gov
Renewals: no automatic extensionFor EAD renewals filed on or after Oct 30, 2025, the automatic extension no longer applies. File early.uscis.gov

FAQ

How long does I-765 take in 2026?

In USCIS’s latest quarterly report (Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3)) the national median for I-765 was Based on pending I-485 (c)(9): 6.4 months; All other categories (not I-485, asylum or DACA based): 3.3 months; Asylum-based: 0.8 months; DACA: 4.1 months. Half of the cases completed in that quarter took longer, and your office may be faster or slower.

Does my EAD automatically extend while the renewal is pending?

For EAD renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025, the automatic extension no longer applies (Federal Register rule), so file renewals as early as allowed.

Which I-765 number applies to OPT?

OPT and STEM OPT fall under “all other categories” in USCIS’s report (not I-485, asylum or DACA based).

My case is taking longer than the median. What can I do?

Look up your form and office on USCIS’s official processing-times page. If your receipt date is earlier than the “receipt date for a case inquiry” it shows, you can ask USCIS about the case through e-Request. Answer any notices on time, and consider an attorney if something looks wrong.

Source

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “Number of Service-wide Forms By Quarter, Form Status, and Processing Time”, Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3), data queried 7/2026 (quarterly_all_forms_fy2026_q3_v1.xlsx).

This page is rebuilt automatically when USCIS publishes a new quarter.

Related free tools

OPT & STEM OPT timeline

Not legal advice. This free tool is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Processing times are national medians from USCIS’s published data and can differ from your office. Always rely on your official USCIS notices and account.