What is Form I-765 used for?

Certain foreign nationals, who are eligible to work in the United States, utilize Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request authorization to work. When hiring workers, U.S. employers need to ask for evidence of the worker's right to work.

U.S. citizens and lawful long-term residents (green card holders) may work without asking for unique consent. Some nonimmigrants, short-lived in nature, might be given employment permission upon request from U.S. Citizenship and employment Immigration Services (USCIS). However, not all nonimmigrants are qualified for this benefit. Individuals given employment authorization with an accepted Form I-765 get an employment authorization document. You may also hear this file referred to as:

- EAD