Spouses who have come to the United States as dependents of H1-B non-immigrant visa holders also have a much lower wait time for an EAD as compared to Texas or California. Applicants who have an approved DACA application (I-821D) will have the lowest wait time out of an category-between 3 and 3.5 months. For those who have filed for a work permit pending their I-485 application can expect to wait between 7.5 and 12.5 months for an EAD. This is perhaps based on the fact that the paper-based agency sees less applications and is in a less populated area of the country. Vermont has one of the fastest USCIS processing centers for EAD applications. Longer wait times apply for spouses of non-immigrant H1-B holders (between 8 and 15 months). In this regard, an asylum seeker with no decision yet has a processing time of 4 weeks to 8 months for select applicants. Instead, they need to win their asylum case or wait 365 days with no initial decision before filing for an EAD. immigration law, an asylum seeker cannot immediately apply for a work permit once they enter the United States. The Texas Service center offers faster processing time for EAD applicants who are pending a decision on their asylum case. Spouses of H1-B visa holders have an estimated wait time of 7.5 to 12 months for a work permit. For example, it might not even be worth filing for an EAD if you have a pending adjustment of status application concurrently filed, as you might be issued a green card in advance of your EAD.
We can see that overall the California Service Center is experiencing a backlog for most of their EAD applications. Always use this bottom section for more accurate readings. Instead, scroll down further to see the associated wait times for different classes of immigrants and non-immigrants. Note that this range at the top of the page might not be applicable to your individual case though. Starting with the California Service Center, the USCIS has a general wait time of 7.5 to 14.5 months. Currently, it is worth noting that a backlog for EADs still persists across many different processing centers in the U.S. The biggest classes of non-citizens seeking work permits are I-485 applicants who are temporarily seeking an EAD before their green card is issued, dependents of non-immigrant visa holders, as well as approved asylees living in the United States and approved DACA recipients.Ĭase processing times are randomly subject to change based on the USCIS processing center and the staffing available. As 2022 moves forward, we’ve taken a closer look at the USCIS Case Processing Times for the I-765 application, which non-citizens will need to file in order to secure a work permit. Work permits are essential for certain classes of immigrants and non-immigrants living in the United States.