greencardline

Learn /

EXPLAINER · EVERY RULE QUOTED FROM AN OFFICIAL SOURCE · CHECKED OCTOBER 18, 2026

Work permit and advance parole

A general look at Form I-765 (work permit) and Form I-131 (advance parole and other travel documents), based on USCIS form pages.

This page describes two USCIS forms at a general level: Form I-765 for a work permit, and Form I-131 for travel and parole documents. It uses only what USCIS says on its own pages.[1][2]

Form I-765: the work permit

The card USCIS issues is called an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD. People in the United States in certain situations can apply for one.[1]

People whose status already lets them work without restrictions can also apply for an EAD as proof of that.[3]

  • Each application uses an "eligibility category," entered in Question 27, and the filing address depends on it.[4]
  • For green card applicants, the category is (c)(9): the I-765 is filed with the I-485, or later with proof the I-485 is pending.[5]
  • USCIS uses the applicant's biometrics to make the card.[6]
  • Unsigned forms are rejected.[7]
  • Fees are on the USCIS Fee Schedule page.[8]

After approval

USCIS says the card should be produced within 2 weeks of approval and is sent by USPS Priority Mail.[9]

  • USCIS asks people to allow 30 days from approval before contacting it about the card.[10]
  • A change of mailing address after filing has to be reported to both USCIS and USPS.[11]

Renewals

USCIS generally recommends filing a renewal up to 180 days before the current EAD expires, and generally does not backdate or postdate a renewal card.[12][13]

Form I-131: travel and parole documents

Form I-131 covers several different documents. One of them is the Advance Parole Document.[14]

  • The Advance Parole Document is Form I-512L.[15]
  • For someone with a pending I-485, the request is Part 1, box 5.A, and it can be filed online only if the I-485 receipt number begins with IOE.[16]
  • An I-131 can be filed together with an I-485 that is filed online by PDF upload.[17]
  • USCIS warns that choosing the wrong category online to avoid paper filing may lead to a denial with no fee refund.[18]
  • Fees are on the USCIS Fee Schedule page.[19]

What USCIS says about travel

USCIS points to its Travel Documents page for the immigration consequences of traveling abroad.[20]

On August 13, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a decision that overruled an earlier one, and USCIS says it has an immediate impact on some advance parole holders.[21][22]

  • USCIS says people considering travel on advance parole should be aware of this.[23]

Processing times

Current USCIS processing times are on the I-765 page and the I-131 page.

The green card steps these forms sit alongside are covered in biometrics and the adjustment of status interview.

This page explains general rules in plain English. It is not legal advice and does not tell you what applies to your case. Each numbered source below is the official page the sentence comes from; read it before relying on anything here.

Sources

  1. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Certain aliens who are in the United States may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).”
  2. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Use this form to apply for travel documents, parole documents, or arrival/departure records.”
  3. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Other aliens whose immigration status authorizes them to work in the United States without restrictions may also use Form I-765 to apply for an EAD that shows such authorization.”
  4. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “The filing address depends on your reason for applying and the eligibility category you entered in Question 27.”
  5. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “(c)(9) File Form I-765 together with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, or if filing separately, submit a copy of your I-485 receipt notice or other evidence to show that your Form I-485 is pending.”
  6. USCIS, Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “If you have submitted a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , we also use your biometrics to produce your Employment Authorization Document.”
  7. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Don’t forget to sign your form. We will reject any unsigned form.”
  8. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “You can find the filing fee for Form I-765 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.”
  9. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “After we approve a Form I-765, your EAD card should be produced within 2 weeks. We will mail your EAD card via U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail.”
  10. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Please allow a total of 30 days from approval before inquiring with USCIS.”
  11. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “If your mailing address changes after you file your application, you must update your address with USCIS and USPS as soon as possible.”
  12. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “We generally recommend you file a Form I-765 to request a renewal Employment Authorization Document (EAD) up to 180 days before your current EAD expires.”
  13. USCIS, I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “We generally do not backdate or postdate a renewal EAD to the end of your current EAD’s validity period.”
  14. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “You may use this form to apply for a reentry permit, refugee travel document, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) travel authorization document, Advance Parole Document, or advance permission to travel for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) long-term residents.”
  15. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “certain aliens with valid Advance Parole Documents (Form I-512L)”
  16. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Form I-485 receipt number must begin with IOE to file online under 5.A. All other receipt numbers are ineligible for online filing”
  17. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “If you are filing Form I-485 online using PDF upload, you can file Form I-131 concurrently with your Form I-485 application package.”
  18. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “If you file Form I-131 online for a category that must be filed on paper (for example, to request an advance parole document) but indicate another category to enable online filing, we may deny your Form I-131 and we will not refund your Form I-131 filing fee.”
  19. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “You can find the fees for Form I-131 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.”
  20. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “For information on travel documents, including potential immigration-related consequences of traveling outside the United States, see our Travel Documents page.”
  21. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a precedent decision, Matter of Delcarmen-Lara , 29 I&N Dec. 830 (BIA 2026), that overruled Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly , 25 I&N Dec. 771 (BIA 2012).”
  22. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “This decision has an immediate impact for certain aliens with valid Advance Parole Documents (Form I-512L) who are considering departing from the United States.”
  23. USCIS, I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Last checked October 18, 2026.
    “Aliens considering a departure with an Advance Parole Document should be aware that they may be inadmissible under section 212(a)(9)(B)(i) of the INA upon their return to the United States if they have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence.”

Next: How USCIS processing times work →