How Long Does It Take to Get Opt Card
H4 EAD processing time varies from 4-8 months in Vermont, Texas, Nebraska, and California service centers.
i485 EAD processing time is 2 to 6 months at the National benefits center.
How long does it take for EAD to come? The answer is the processing time varies for EAD applications filed on form i-765 for different types of employment authorizations.
The most recent EAD approval found using data from user-driven online forums is merged with USCIS official data to give you a reliable average EAD processing time.
| Type | Fastest Case | Slowest/Call USCIS Date |
|---|---|---|
| H4-EAD / L2-EAD / J2 / Others | YSC21038***** Receipt: 25 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 04 Aug, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 4 month |
| F-1 OPT EAD (Pre-Completion, Post-completion, STEM) - C(3) | YSC21036***** Receipt: 23 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 23 Nov, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year |
| Pending Asylum EAD | YSC20251***** Receipt: 29 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 11 Aug, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 3 month |
| Type | Fastest Case | Slowest/Call USCIS Date |
|---|---|---|
| H4-EAD / L2-EAD / J2 / Others | TSC21036***** Receipt: 23 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 15 Jul, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 4 month |
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | TSC20247***** Receipt: 23 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 30 Apr, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 7 month |
| Pending Asylum EAD | TSC21076***** Receipt: 25 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 14 days | 13 Dec, 20 Slowest case approval in 11 month 27 days |
| Based on being an L-2 spouse of an L-1 nonimmigrant [(a)(18)] | TSC21019***** Receipt: 28 Oct, 20 Approved in 1 year 1 month | 08 Jun, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 6 month |
| I-485 pending EAD | TSC21037***** Receipt: 24 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 06 Oct, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 2 month |
| Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)] | TSC21059***** Receipt: 28 Dec, 20 Approved in 11 month 12 days | 20 Feb, 19 Slowest case approval in 2 year 9 month |
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (Standalone; not filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | TSC20249***** Receipt: 25 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 08 Jun, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 6 month |
| TPS for El Salvador EAD | TSC21076***** Receipt: 25 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 14 days | 02 Oct, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 2 month |
| Type | Fastest Case | Slowest/Call USCIS Date |
|---|---|---|
| H4-EAD / L2-EAD / J2 / Others | NBC21033***** Receipt: 18 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 03 Aug, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 4 month |
| I-485 pending EAD | NBC21033***** Receipt: 18 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 19 Apr, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 7 month |
| Application for Suspension of Deportation/Sec.244/NACARA/Cancel of Removal [(c)(10)] | NBC21080***** Receipt: 29 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 10 days | 16 Nov, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year |
| Alien with Final Order of Deportation Under an OSUP [(c)(18)] | NBC21038***** Receipt: 25 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 02 Aug, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 4 month |
| Type | Fastest Case | Slowest/Call USCIS Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)] | LIN21073***** Receipt: 19 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 20 days | 03 Feb, 19 Slowest case approval in 2 year 10 month |
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | LIN20249***** Receipt: 25 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 27 May, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 6 month |
| Based on being admitted as a Refugee [(a)(3)] | LIN21059***** Receipt: 28 Dec, 20 Approved in 11 month 12 days | 25 Oct, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 1 month |
| Approved, concurrently filed, I-821D EAD | LIN21073***** Receipt: 19 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 20 days | 29 Dec, 20 Slowest case approval in 11 month 11 days |
| Pending Asylum EAD | LIN21060***** Receipt: 29 Dec, 20 Approved in 11 month 11 days | 22 Nov, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year |
| H4-EAD / L2-EAD / J2 / Others | LIN21037***** Receipt: 24 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 16 Jul, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 4 month |
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (Standalone; not filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | LIN20248***** Receipt: 24 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 08 Jun, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 6 month |
| I-485 pending EAD | LIN21037***** Receipt: 24 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 17 Oct, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 1 month |
| Type | Fastest Case | Slowest/Call USCIS Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | EAC20244***** Receipt: 18 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 19 Apr, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 7 month |
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (Standalone; not filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | EAC20248***** Receipt: 24 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 08 Jun, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 6 month |
| H4-EAD / L2-EAD / J2 / Others | EAC21080***** Receipt: 29 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 10 days | 24 Jul, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 4 month |
| TPS for El Salvador EAD | EAC21079***** Receipt: 28 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 11 days | 06 Oct, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 2 month |
| Based on being an L-2 spouse of an L-1 nonimmigrant [(a)(18)] | EAC21016***** Receipt: 23 Oct, 20 Approved in 1 year 1 month | 21 Jul, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 4 month |
| I-485 pending EAD | EAC21033***** Receipt: 18 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 12 Sep, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 2 month |
| Approved, concurrently filed, I-821D EAD | EAC21073***** Receipt: 19 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 20 days | 14 May, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 6 month |
| Type | Fastest Case | Slowest/Call USCIS Date |
|---|---|---|
| I-485 pending EAD | CSC21033***** Receipt: 18 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 01 Sep, 19 Slowest case approval in 2 year 3 month |
| H4-EAD / L2-EAD / J2 / Others | CSC20248***** Receipt: 24 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 31 Dec, 19 Slowest case approval in 1 year 11 month |
| Haiti extension [(c)(19), (a)(12)] | CSC21079***** Receipt: 28 Jan, 21 Approved in 10 month 11 days | 01 May, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 7 month |
| Approved, concurrently filed, I-821D EAD | CSC21037***** Receipt: 24 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 25 Dec, 20 Slowest case approval in 11 month 15 days |
| Based on being an L-2 spouse of an L-1 nonimmigrant [(a)(18)] | CSC21037***** Receipt: 24 Nov, 20 Approved in 1 year | 11 May, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 6 month |
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (Standalone; not filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | CSC20247***** Receipt: 23 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 28 Feb, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 9 month |
| Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)] | CSC20247***** Receipt: 23 Sep, 20 Approved in 1 year 2 month | 26 Apr, 20 Slowest case approval in 1 year 7 month |
How long it takes to deliver EAD card after approval?
You can expect your EAD card within 5-7 days once the status of your EAD application shows as 'Card sent for printing'.
Can I start working once the USCIS approves my EAD?
You cannot start working until you have received your EAD card. Card is delivered by USPS regular mail in your mailbox.
How much time does SSN take after EAD approval?
The SSN card takes 4 to 6 weeks to arrive after your EAD approval. You should have selected the SSN option on form I765 for automatic SSN application.
Can I visit SSN office to get Social Security Number faster?
You should wait for at least 6 weeks for your SSN card to arrive.
If the SSN card is taking more time than 6 weeks, you can visit your local SSN office and apply for a new SSD card yourself. SSN office will be able to see if there is any existing pending application for you before applying for a new one.
If not applied with EAD, you have to apply SSN separately after you receive your EAD card.
Can I use my ITIN to start working until SSN arrives?
SSN is required to start working and get paid legally. Your ITIN may or may not be accepted by the employer.
Fill USCIS i765 EAD form Online with our App >
Automatic EAD 180 Day Extension
USCIS has officially allowed many EADs categories to keep working if their current one expires and their extension application is pending.
You can apply for EAD extension 180 days before its expiry.
Example:
- If you have an i485 pending EAD, you are eligible for an automatic 180-day extension. You can also apply for interim EAD until you get the EAD renewed card in your local USCIS office.
- H4 EAD including L2 EAD is not eligible to work if their current card expires. Please be careful as the form i765 has generic instructions for an automatic extension which does not apply to category C(26).
EAD Processing Time Dallas or Phoenix
There are no USCIS service centers named Dallas or Phoenix. You just send your applications to lockboxes (mailbox) located in Dallas and Phoenix.
After that, USCIS routes your EAD application to the actual service center. Check your receipt number to find which service is processing your application.
EAD Processing Time after RFE
It usually takes 60-90 days to process and approve the EAD application after you have submitted an RFE response to USCIS. The count starts from the day USCIS receives your RFE response.
Make sure your primary visa like H1B (or L) has at least 6 months of validity before applying for dependent H4 EAD to avoid a certain RFE.
Raise USCIS Case Service Request
If your 'case received date' is before the date mentioned above, you should raise a service request with USCIS to check why your case has been delayed. This could mean that your case is taking longer than other similar cases and may be stuck in administrative processing.
USCIS allows you to ask for a status update if your case is taking more than other cases and they call it 'outside normal processing time'.
You can use the USCIS case status check website to check the status of your EAD application with your USCIS receipt number.
How Long Does It Take to Get Opt Card
Source: https://www.am22tech.com/uscis/ead-processing-time/