How long does i485 EAD take?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 14, 2026
i485 EAD processing time is 2 to 6 months at the National benefits center.
How long does it take to get EAD after filing I-485?
You'll receive your EAD card approximately 12-16 weeks after filing Form I-485.
How long does it take for EAD to be approved?
Over 180 days – 24%.
But another quarter of applications are taking at least six months or longer to get approved. USCIS reports that the online case status for an EAD application should be updated the same day that an approval issues.
How long does it take to get green card after EAD?
Once you receive your work permit from USCIS, it could take anywhere from 5 – 43 months to receive your Green Card depending on your eligibility category and which USCIS office or service center handles your petition.
How will take to get green card after you received 485 EAD?
You can be granted permanent residence right after the interview. Your green card will likely arrive about eight to 14 months after submitting the application package, and you will no longer need the EAD card. But, if USCIS denies your application, they will send you a notice explaining the denial reasons.
34 related questions foundHow long does it take for I-485 to be approved 2021?
You can expect the total I-485 processing time to be at least 8 to 14 months. It may take four to six weeks for USCIS to accept your application and send you a confirmation receipt. You then will receive notice of your biometrics appointment, which you must attend.
How long does it take to get green card after EAD 2022?
This usually takes 8 to 14 months after filing. If your application is approved, USCIS will mail your green card to you shortly after your adjustment of status interview. Once you have your green card, you no longer need the EAD card.
Where will my i-485 be processed?
What is the processing procedure for I-485? Initial processing of the application takes place at a USCIS Lockbox Facility or a service center. After the application has been filed, the applicant will next hear from the USCIS when a fingerprinting notice is sent.
What is my status while I-485 is pending?
If you have filed Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, you generally are not confined by the restrictions on your non-immigrant visa. You have the right to remain in the United States while the application is pending. As an F-1 student, you could potentially drop out of school.
What happens after I-485 approval?
Upon approval, the applicant is mailed a Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card. The date the Form I-485 is approved becomes the date of adjustment, which in turn determines how soon the newly adjusted Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) may apply for U.S. citizenship. Permanent Resident Cards are valid for ten years.
Why is EAD taking so long?
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) processing times have been severely delayed in recent years, rendering certain dependent nonimmigrants temporarily ineligible to work and causing gaps in some U.S. employers' workforces. An EAD can take over 12 months for adjudication under current processing times.
Why is EAD processing taking so long?
Issuance of certain Employment Authorization Documents (Form I-766, EADs) may be delayed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
How can I get fast EAD?
Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) to request expedited processing of your EAD based on your circumstance as a healthcare worker or a childcare worker with an EAD that will expire within 30 days or has already expired.
Can I-485 be denied after I-140 approval?
USCIS can only transfer the I-485 if a visa number is available for that I-140 petition. Therefore, when the extraordinary ability I-140 is denied, and the national interest I-140 is approved but the priority date is not current, the I-485 will be denied.
Can you get EAD before I-140 approval?
A: Yes, the USCIS will issue the advance parole and employment authorization before they adjudicate the I-140. Q: How soon will the USCIS issue me the advance parole or employment authorization? A: It usually takes the USCIS about 3 months to issue the EAD and the advance parole.
How long does it take to get EAD after I-140 approval?
Since the EAD card can normally be obtained within three months, and the immigrant visa interview may not occur for more than a year after the I-140 is filed, this can result in a considerable delay in obtaining employment authorization for family members.
How do I know if my EAD is approved?
Using the receipt number, you can track your case status. Alternatively, you can also call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283. Once your petition is approved, USCIS will send you a plastic EAD card.
Is I 765 approved before I-485?
Once Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization is filed with USCIS, along with Form I-485, the applicant must wait for the application to be adjudicated. The amount of time that it takes for Form I-765 to be adjudicated depends on your service center.
Is it possible to get green card before EAD?
Absolutely, once the I-485 is approved, there is no longer any need for EAD and AP because you can work and travel with the green card.
Is I-485 a green card?
Form I-485 is officially called the “Adjustment of Status Application” and is the official green card application. Certain immigrants who are in the United States, including special immigrants like asylees, can submit an adjustment of status application to change their immigration status to a green card.
Can I travel after I-485 approval?
You can travel and your pending I485 (with or without Advance parole) will not be abandoned if you have one of these visa types to re-enter the USA: Work visas like H1B and its dependent H4, L-1, and its dependent L2. K-3 spouse or a K-4 child of a US citizen.
Which USCIS service center is faster for I-485?
The current i485 processing time for an employment-based green card is 10 months to 4 years at California Service Center. USCIS Nebraska and Texas service centers are processing adjustment of status to Permanent Resident applications faster than California within 10 months to 2 years.
Can I-485 be premium processed?
Premium processing is not available for Form I-485, but you may be able to request expedited processing through the USCIS Contact Center. Make sure to have your 13-digit USCIS Form I-485 receipt number on hand so that your request can be forwarded to the correct office.
Can I change job while I-485 is pending?
Simply put, YES, you can change your employment while waiting for final approval of your Green Card application if your I-485 application has been pending for 180 days or more. HOWEVER, there are rules to portability that you must consider, less you face denial of your application.
When can I file I-485 after I-140 approval?
More so, Form I-485 can be filed while a Form I-140 is still pending in some cases. However, you cannot file concurrently unless your priority date is “current” and your PERM has been approved. A priority date is the date the PERM was filed, and you can see if that date is current on the USCIS visa bulletin.