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Form I-765 fee 2026: $520, $260, $570 or no fee

The standard paper fee for Form I-765 is $520 (8 CFR 106.2(a)(44)). It is $260 with a pending I-485 filed with a fee after 1 April 2024, some groups pay nothing, and a statutory fee applies to initial asylum, parole and TPS work permits, rising from $560 to $570 on 16 October 2026.

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is the form used to request a work permit (an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD). It has more fee variations than almost any other USCIS form. The amount depends on which category the request is filed under, whether it is an initial application, a renewal or a replacement, and in some cases on when a related form was filed.

This page lays out each fee that the regulations and USCIS notices state, with the source. It does not say which category applies to anyone, and it does not say whether a person is eligible for a work permit. Those questions depend on facts and sit with a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.

Amounts were read on 9 October 2026 from 8 CFR 106.2 and 106.3 and 106.4 (eCFR, 1 October 2026 point in time), from Federal Register notice 90 FR 52693, and from USCIS's FY 2027 fee alert dated 30 September 2026. One point, where the regulation text and USCIS's notices do not obviously line up, is flagged below rather than smoothed over.

The standard fee: $520

8 CFR 106.2(a)(44) reads: "Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-765. To request employment authorization and/or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). $520."

That is the paper amount. Under 8 CFR 106.1(g), a form filed online costs $50 less unless the rule says otherwise, so for the standard fee the rule points to $470 online, where the form can be filed online. The sub-paragraph for the $260 fee below explicitly says the online discount does not apply to it.

The regulation does not list the eligibility categories on the fee line. Which category a person files under is shown on the form and its instructions and is a legal question. The fee is set by the amount line, not by category alone: 8 CFR 106.1(a) says fees "are associated with the benefit, the adjudication, or the type of request and not solely determined by the form number".

$260 when an I-485 is pending

8 CFR 106.2(a)(44)(i): "For an applicant who filed USCIS Form I-485 with a fee after April 1, 2024, and their Form I-485 is still pending: $260. The online filing discount in § 106.1(g) does not apply to this paragraph."

Two details matter.

  • The date and the fee. The rule keys on an I-485 filed with a fee after 1 April 2024. An I-485 that was filed with a fee waiver, or filed before that date, is described by different rules. See the no-fee list below.
  • Pending. The reduced fee applies while the I-485 is still pending. Once the I-485 is decided, the standard line is the starting point.

For how this fee sits next to the I-485 and other forms, see our I-485 fee page, which counts the usual add-ons.

Groups that pay no I-765 fee

8 CFR 106.2(a)(44)(ii) lists groups with no fee for an initial EAD. As read on 9 October 2026, they include:

  • an applicant who filed an I-485 on or after 30 July 2007 and before 1 April 2024 and paid the I-485 fee;
  • dependents of certain government and international organization or NATO personnel;
  • N-8 (parent of an alien classed as SK3) and N-9 (child of N-8) nonimmigrants;
  • persons granted asylee status (AS1, AS6);
  • citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau;
  • persons granted withholding of deportation or removal;
  • Taiwanese dependents of TECRO E-1 employees; and
  • current or former US armed forces service members.

Paragraph (ii) also lists "Applicant for Asylum and Withholding of Deportation or Removal including derivatives". That line conflicts with the statutory fee described in the next section, and we cover it there.

A separate list in (iv) covers renewals and replacements with no fee: current adjustment or registry applicants who filed on or after 30 July 2007 and before 1 April 2024 and paid the I-485 fee; dependents of certain foreign government, international organization or NATO personnel; citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau; persons granted withholding of deportation or removal; and current or former armed forces service members. A replacement EAD needed because of USCIS error has no fee (iii).

Form I-765V, for certain abused nonimmigrant spouses, has no fee (106.2(a)(45)).

Separately, 8 CFR 106.3(b) exempts particular humanitarian groups from the I-765 fee, including Special Immigrant Juveniles, T and U applicants, certain Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants, VAWA self-petitioners, and abused spouses and children under CAA and HRIFA. Check the conditions in the regulation rather than a heading.

Asylum, parole and TPS work permits: statutory fees

H.R.1 (Public Law 119-21, signed 4 July 2025) set statutory work permit fees for people who file under pending asylum applications, parole and Temporary Protected Status. The Federal Register notice 90 FR 52693 (21 November 2025) states the FY 2026 amounts:

| Category | FY 2026 fee | |---|---| | Initial asylum applicant EAD | $560 | | Renewal or extension, asylum applicant EAD | $275 | | Initial parole EAD (valid one year) | $560 | | Renewal or extension, parole EAD | $280 | | Initial TPS EAD | $560 | | Renewal or extension, TPS EAD | $280 |

The notice says the $275 asylum renewal fee is not subject to inflation adjustment, because the statute does not provide for it.

USCIS's FY 2027 alert (released 30 September 2026) says the initial I-765 for an asylum applicant, parole or TPS rises from $560 to $570. Per the alert, "The new inflation-adjusted fees are effective on Oct. 16, 2026," and "Any request postmarked on or after Oct. 16, 2026 without the proper filing fee will be rejected." The alert names four fee changes, and renewals are not among them. We could not read a renewal amount for FY 2027 from the alert, so check USCIS's fee schedule, Form G-1055 (edition date 10/07/26), for the renewal amounts.

A discrepancy to be aware of. The eCFR text of 8 CFR 106.2(a)(44)(ii), as read, still lists "Applicant for Asylum and Withholding of Deportation or Removal" among the groups with no fee for an initial EAD, while USCIS's notices state a statutory $560 (rising to $570) for an initial asylum-based EAD. We cannot reconcile the two from the regulation text alone. If you are in this group, do not rely on this page or on the regulation line; read the I-765 entry on the G-1055 schedule for your category on the day you file.

Fee waivers

The I-765 appears in the list of forms whose fees can be waived under 8 CFR 106.3(a)(3)(ii)(F), "except persons filing under category (c)(33), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals." A waiver requires a written request with evidence, and the person must be unable to pay by showing one of three things (106.3(a)(1)): receipt of a means-tested benefit at the time of filing, household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time of filing, or extreme financial hardship. "There is no appeal of the denial of a fee waiver request" (106.3(a)(2)).

Whether a statutory H.R.1 fee, such as the initial asylum, parole or TPS amount, can be waived is not something the regulation text we read answers. It is a point to confirm on the form's page and on G-1055 before choosing between paying and requesting a waiver.

USCIS's fee waiver request form, I-912, has no fee. Our page on no-cost and low-cost help explains where non-profit help may be available.

Premium processing

8 CFR 106.4(c)(21) lists the "Application for employment authorization" among benefit requests that can use premium processing, at $1,780, with a processing timeframe of 30 business days (106.4(e)(21)). The premium fee is paid in addition to the filing fee and "may not be waived" (106.4(b)). The form instructions say which I-765 categories are eligible. The 30 business days is the timeframe USCIS commits to for a premium request. It is not a prediction about any ordinary request.

DACA

A person requesting DACA pays two fees: the I-821D at $85 (8 CFR 106.2(a)(51); the online discount does not apply) and the I-765 at $520 for category (c)(33). Fee waivers are not available for an I-765 filed under category (c)(33) (106.3(a)(3)(ii)(F)). The regulations above describe fees only. This page says nothing about the legal status of the DACA program; read USCIS's DACA page for that.

Renewals and the end of automatic extensions

Timing and fee interact when a work permit is due to expire. An interim final rule, 90 FR 48799 (published 30 October 2025, effective that day), amended DHS regulations "to end the practice of automatically extending the validity of employment authorization documents" for people who timely filed to renew in certain employment authorization categories. It does not affect the validity of EADs that had already been automatically extended.

What that means for a particular person depends on their category and on the dates. The practical point for fees is that a renewal is a new filing with its own fee, and the amount for the renewal can differ from the initial one, as the table above shows for asylum, parole and TPS. Rejection for a wrong fee costs the filing date (8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(D)), which matters when a card is close to expiry. Filing fees "generally are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the benefit request" (103.2(a)(1)(v)).

How to pay, and who not to pay

Fees must come from a US bank or institution in US currency (8 CFR 106.1(b)). By mail, USCIS's G-1055 page lists payment by credit, debit or prepaid card on Form G-1450 or from a US bank account on Form G-1650; cash can never be used. USCIS does not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo or gift cards. Anyone offering a work permit for a payment outside the USCIS fee, or promising speed by connection, matches the scam signs on USCIS's page. See immigration scam warning signs.

For the whole fee list, see USCIS fees October 2026. For the I-130 that often starts a family case, see the I-130 fee page.

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Questions people ask

How much is the I-765 work permit fee in 2026?

The standard paper fee is $520 as at 9 October 2026 (8 CFR 106.2(a)(44)). It is $260 for an applicant whose I-485 was filed with a fee after 1 April 2024 and is still pending. Initial asylum, parole and TPS work permits carry a statutory fee, $560 now and $570 for requests postmarked on or after 16 October 2026.

Is the I-765 free ($0) for anyone?

Some groups pay no fee for an initial or renewal EAD under 8 CFR 106.2(a)(44), such as certain I-485 filers from 2007 to 2024 who paid the I-485 fee, asylees, people granted withholding of removal and armed forces members. Humanitarian groups are exempt under 106.3(b). Check the conditions in the regulation and G-1055.

Is the I-765 fee different when filed with the I-485?

Yes. If the I-485 was filed with a fee after 1 April 2024 and is pending, the I-765 fee is $260, and the online discount does not apply to that amount.

Can the I-765 fee be waived?

The I-765 is on the list of waivable fees, except for DACA (8 CFR 106.3(a)(3)(ii)(F)), if the person shows inability to pay under 106.3(a)(1). Confirm whether a statutory asylum, parole or TPS fee can be waived on the form's page and G-1055.

Does premium processing apply to the I-765?

The employment authorization application is on the premium list in 8 CFR 106.4(c)(21) at $1,780, with a 30 business day timeframe, for the categories the form instructions allow. The fee cannot be waived.

Do work permits still extend automatically after I file a renewal?

An interim final rule effective 30 October 2025 (90 FR 48799) ended automatic extension for people who timely file renewals in certain categories. Whether it affects a person depends on the category and dates, so check the form instructions or ask an attorney or accredited representative.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

Related guides

  • USCIS fees, October 2026: every main form — As at 9 October 2026 the paper fee is $675 for the I-130, $1,440 for an adult I-485, $520 for a standard I-765, $750 for the I-751 and $760 for the N-400. Four fees rise on 16 October 2026, EB-5 fees change on 30 November 2026, and several changes are only proposed.
  • Form I-485 fee 2026: adults, children and add-on forms — As at 9 October 2026 the paper fee for Form I-485 is $1,440 for an applicant 14 or older and $950 for a child under 14 filing with a parent (8 CFR 106.2(a)(21)). A fee waiver is available only to people exempt from the public charge ground, and related forms carry their own fees.
  • Form I-130 filing fee 2026: what it is and who pays — The USCIS fee for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is $675 on paper as at 9 October 2026 (8 CFR 106.2(a)(6)), whichever relative the petition is for. It cannot be waived, filing fees are generally non-refundable, and the I-130 is not on the 16 October 2026 increase list.
  • Free ($0) and low-cost immigration legal help: where it comes from — Legal help at $0 or low cost comes mainly from three official sources: EOIR's List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers (for people in immigration court), DOJ-recognized non-profits with accredited representatives, and supervised law school clinics. Government filing fees usually still apply.
  • How much does an immigration lawyer cost? — There are two bills: the lawyer's fee, which each lawyer sets (flat, hourly or per consult) and must explain to you, and the government filing fees, which are fixed by regulation. A marriage green card filed inside the US, for example, carries $2,115 in USCIS fees for the I-130 and I-485 alone, before any lawyer's fee.
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