Form I-765 Processing Time

Check the latest estimated USCIS processing time for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Current Estimate Slow, Compared with this form's USCIS processing times since 2022: 13.1 – 18 months; Average across 15 categories
Last Updated: Oct 19, 2026; Source: USCIS

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Office – Category	Min	Max	Status
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]	5 mo	6.5 mo	Normal
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)]	6.5 mo	10 mo	Normal
National Benefits Center – All other applications for employment authorization	10.5 mo	14.5 mo	Normal
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)]	12.5 mo	16 mo	Normal
National Benefits Center – Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)]	12 mo	16.5 mo	Normal
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)]	2.5 mo	17 mo	Normal
National Benefits Center – Based on parole	13.5 mo	18 mo	Normal
National Benefits Center – Alien with Final Order of Deportation Under an OSUP [(c)(18)]	16.5 mo	18.5 mo	Normal
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – All other applications for employment authorization	16 mo	19 mo	Slow
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (Standalone; not filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)]	17.5 mo	19 mo	Slow
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on TPS for El Salvador [(c)(19), (a)(12)]	18.5 mo	19.5 mo	Slow
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] -renewal/replacement	18.5 mo	21.5 mo	Slow
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on being admitted as a Refugee [(a)(3)]	18.5 mo	21.5 mo	Slow
National Benefits Center – Application for Suspension of Deportation/Sec.244/NACARA/Cancel of Removal [(c)(10)]	10 mo	24 mo	Very Slow
Service Center Operations (SCOPS) – Based on being an L-2 spouse of an L-1 nonimmigrant [(a)(18)]	18 mo	28 mo	Very Slow

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