Work Authorization Request (Form I-765 EAD)
Cover letter for Form I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization Document.
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Aleksandra Petrova
482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214
A-Number: A123 456 789
Date: May 4, 2026
To: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(file via myUSCIS online or mail per Form I-765 instructions)
Re: Form I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization
Applicant: Aleksandra Petrova (AA123 456 789)
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To Whom It May Concern,
I am submitting Form I-765 to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
ELIGIBILITY CATEGORY
► (c)(8) Pending asylum applicant
UNDERLYING APPLICATION / BASIS
I-589 receipt MSC2126501234, filed 2025-09-20
PRIOR EAD STATUS
► No prior EAD
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EMPLOYER INFORMATION (if pre-arranged)
Not yet employed — applying for EAD to begin job search lawfully.
(If pre-arranged: employer name, address, position, expected start date.)
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ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS
Form I-765 (signed)
2 passport-style photos
Government-issued ID with photo (passport bio page or driver license)
Receipt notice (I-797) for the underlying application
Evidence supporting eligibility category — for (c)(8) asylum-pending: copy of I-589 receipt + statement of 150-day clock; for (c)(9) AOS: copy of I-485 receipt; for (c)(33) DACA: prior approval; etc.
Filing fee per current schedule (verify at uscis.gov; some categories are fee-exempt)
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I confirm my eligibility for an EAD under the category above. The information provided in Form I-765 and this letter is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Thank you for your prompt processing of this application.
Sincerely,
_______________________________ Date: May 4, 2026
Aleksandra Petrova (Applicant)
About this template
Form I-765 is the application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The eligibility categories are extensive (50+ in the I-765 instructions); each has specific evidentiary requirements. The most-common categories: (c)(8) — pending asylum applicants, eligible 150 days after I-589 filing with possible USCIS issuance after 180 days; (c)(9) — adjustment of status applicants pending I-485, typically eligible immediately upon I-485 filing or shortly after; (c)(33) — DACA recipients with current grant; (a)(5) — granted asylees, eligible immediately; (c)(11) — parolees on humanitarian or significant public benefit parole. Each category has its own filing fee (or is fee-exempt — refugees, asylees, VAWA self-petitioners, and several others). Current fees range from $0 to $520; verify at uscis.gov. Processing times have varied dramatically over recent years — 1-3 months for some categories, 12+ months for backlogged ones. The receipt notice (Form I-797) does NOT authorise work; only the actual EAD card or specific automatic extensions documented in regulations do. Some EAD categories qualify for automatic 180-day extensions when timely renewals are filed (8 CFR 274a.13(d) categories); the underlying receipt notice combined with the expiring EAD provides employment authorisation during the extension. The EAD is also an I-9 List A document for new-hire I-9 verification; employers must accept it without questioning the underlying immigration status it represents.
When to use it
- Pending asylum (c)(8) — 150 days after I-589 filing.
- Adjustment of status applicant (c)(9) — concurrent or after I-485.
- DACA initial or renewal (c)(33).
- Granted asylee or refugee (a)(3) / (a)(5).
- Specific other categories (parolee, U visa holder, T visa holder, etc.).
What to include
- Applicant identification with A-Number.
- Specific eligibility category code.
- Underlying application receipt or basis.
- Prior EAD information if renewing.
- Employer information if pre-arranged.
- Filing fee (or fee-exempt category citation).