EAD Card Processing Time: EAD Card meaning is “Employment Authorization Document Card”. It is also known as a work permit. The EAD Card is an official document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It grants temporary authorization for non-US citizens to work legally in the United States.
Individuals may qualify to apply for an EAD Cards if they fall under specific immigration statutes or categories, including temporary residents, refugees, asylees, or spouses of certain visa holders. The EAD Card acts as evidence that the person is authorized to work in the United States for a designated period.
The card usually has the person’s name, photo, card number, date of birth, fingerprint, and expiration date. It is important to note that an EAD card does not grant any immigration status to provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship. Its sole purpose is to authorize the individual to work in the United States for the specified period legally.
This article will explain EAD Card meaning, Apply for an EAD Card, Download Form I-765, Do I get an SSN when I get EAD Card, see the tracking number of the EAD Card or EAD Card Status, EAD Card processing time, and other information.
What Is An EAD Card?
A government-issued document known as the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card is proof of a non-US citizen’s right to work in the country for a specific period. It is not a form of permanent residency or a path to citizenship. According to the person’s immigration status or category, it instead grants temporary work authorization.
People must submit an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with the supporting documents and the required fees, in order to receive an EAD Card. Depending on the applicant’s immigration status or category, the application procedure, and eligibility requirements could change. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sends you the card, when you get an approved EAD.
How To Apply For EAD Card?
People must follow the instructions provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to submit an application for an EAD Card. The following are the general steps there in the EAD Card application process.
- The main application you must submit to get an EAD Card is Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The form is available on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
- Download the form and then correctly fill it out. Basic personal information will request on the form, as well as detail for several visa categories. You may need to provide different documents, based on your answers and your visa category.
- Now, you must collect and attach the necessary supporting documents to your application. This may include identification documents, immigration status verification, and any additional evidence specific to your category.
- You need to pay the filing fee of $410(Base Fee) or $85 (biometric fee) and attach your filing fee receipt to your EAD application. Cretian people with immigration statuses might not have to pay the fee. See the form instructions for more information.
- Once Form I-765 has been completed and all supporting documents have been attached. You can use the USCIS e-filling process to submit the application online. Or you can send it to USCIS by mail. You might still need to mail USCIS any supporting documents even if you submit your application online.
How To Download Form I-765?
- Visit the official website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at https://www.uscis.gov/.
- On the home page, select the “Green Card” tab on the navigation bar.
- Now, select the “Green Card Process and Procedures” option and click on the “Employment Authorization Document” on the left side of the page.
- After that, click on the “Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization” link.
- Scroll down to the next page, and select the ‘Forms and Documents Downloads’ option under the “Form Details” section.
- Click the ‘Form I-765 (PDF, 454.29 KB)’ option.
- Then Form I-765 will appear on the screen in PDF format. You can download the form or take the printout directly.
Do I Get An SSN When I Get EAD Card?
SSN stands for Social Security Number. If you don’t already have an SSN, you can apply for one when you receive an Employment Authorization Document Card. The SSN is a non-digit identification number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to track individuals’ earnings and work history in the United States.
You must go to your local Social Security office and fill out an application in order to apply for an SSN with an Employment Authorization Document Card. You will normally need to submit documentation that proves your identification, right to work, and immigration status along with the application. Your Employment Authorization Document card, passport, birth certificate, and other supporting identification materials may be among these documents.
If your application is accepted, the SSA will process it and assign you a Social Security Number. This number will remain with you throughout your life and can be used for various purposes, such as employment, taxation, and accessing government benefits.
How To See Tracking Number Of EAD Card (EAD Card Status)?
After submitting the Employment Authorization Document Card application, you should receive a receipt number notice from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirming that they have received your application. The receipt notice will usually contain a receipt number. Using this receipt number you can track the status of your EAD card. To track the status of your Employment Authorization Document Card, you can follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Go to the official website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at https://egov.uscis.gov/.
- The Case Status Online page will open, here enter your “Receipt Number” and click on the “Check Status” button.
- Then the status of your Employment Authorization Document card will appear on the screen. It will include when your case is received, processed, and approved. The system should display the tracking number of your card, once your EAD card is produced and mailed.
- The tracking number for your Employment Authorization Document card may be sent to your email or phone if you registered for email or text notifications during the application process.
- You can also call the USCIS National Customer Service Centre at 1-800-375-5283 for help if you are unable to see your case status online or if you have any queries about your Employment Authorization Document card. Be ready to provide your receipt number for reference.
EAD Card Processing Time:
An EAD Card takes approximately 90 days to process on average. However, the processing time for an Employment Authorization Document card can vary depending on several factors, including the current workload of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the particular category under which you are applying. You can also check the Employment Authorization Document Card Processing time on the official website of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by the following steps.
- Open the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official website at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.
- The Processing Times page will open, here you need to select “Form Type”, “Form Category”, and “Field Office or Service Center” and then click on the “Get Processing Time” link.
- Then the EAD Card Processing Time will appear on the screen.
An Employment Authorization Document card is an essential document that allows eligible non-US citizens to temporarily work in the United States. Although it does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship, it serves as proof of their authorization to work legally for a specific period. It is crucial to properly follow the application process, provide the mandatory documents, and pay the necessary filing fees. The processing time for an Employment Authorization Document card is varied depending on a number of factors. People can legally work and contribute to the American workforce while they are authorized to do so by obtaining an EAD card.
