What Is an EAD (Employment Authorization Document)?
An Employment Authorization Document — commonly called an EAD or work permit — is the card issued by USCIS that proves you are authorized to work in the United States. Many immigration statuses require a separate EAD to work legally, including asylum applicants, TPS holders, adjustment of status applicants, and others.
The application form is the I-765, and it must be filed with the correct eligibility category code for your specific situation. There are over 30 possible codes — using the wrong one is the most common reason for EAD delays and denials.
Who Needs an EAD?
TPS holders — Renewing work authorization alongside TPS re-registration
Asylum applicants — Applying for work authorization while your asylum case is pending
Adjustment of status applicants — Filed a green card application and need interim work permission
Spouses of certain visa holders — H-4, L-2, and E-1/E-2 dependent spouses
Other categories — Parolees, VAWA applicants, U-visa applicants, and more
Not sure which category you fall into? Get a free consultation — we'll identify your eligibility code.
EAD Processing Times (2026 Estimates)
TPS-based EAD: 3–6 months
Asylum-based EAD: 3–6 months
Adjustment of status EAD: 5–12 months
DACA-based EAD: 2–5 months
DocPros cannot speed up USCIS processing, but we can prevent delays caused by filing errors, missing documents, or incorrect eligibility codes.
Salt Lake City Document Preparation Support
DocPros serves clients in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah who need organized, bilingual immigration document preparation before submitting to USCIS. Many families come to us because they are worried about expiration dates, inconsistent information across forms, outdated USCIS editions, or missing supporting documents.
Our process is built to reduce preventable filing problems: we gather the details, prepare the forms, check consistency across the packet, and provide filing instructions. USCIS filing fees are separate and paid directly to the government. DocPros is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and we do not provide legal advice or representation.
For clients with arrests, removal history, fraud concerns, unlawful presence questions, or complex eligibility issues, we recommend speaking with a licensed immigration attorney before filing. For routine document preparation, our goal is simple: make the paperwork clearer, more organized, and easier to submit correctly.
Fees Breakdown
| Fee Type | Amount |
| DocPros preparation fee | $239 |
| USCIS I-765 fee | $410 |
| Total | $649 |