Home » Visas » USA » USCIS » What are USCIS EAD Category Codes? List? 540 Days Automatic Extension?

What are USCIS EAD Category Codes? List? 540 Days Automatic Extension?

Depending on the type of US Visa, foreign nationals are given an Employment Authorization Document(EAD) by USCIS that allows them to work in the US. USCIS identifies this work authorization-related EAD given for a type of visa by a category code.

Identifying the correct EAD category code is essential during the application process and renewal to ensure you get the EAD card with the correct code on it. This article will provide details on the Employment Authorization Document(EAD) Category Codes, the complete list of the codes, and what categories are eligible for the 540-day automatic extension.

Before we get into the list of total EAD codes, let’s look at some background of the EAD Code and how it appears on the actual card.

What is Employment Authorization Document Code or EAD Code?

USCIS provides work authorization to certain visa holders and spouses in the US. Eligible individuals need to apply with USCIS using form I-765 and specify their category of work authorization in the application. In the context of US immigration, this category of employment authorization is nothing but the Employment Authorization Document(EAD) Code.

The EAD code is also visible on the Employment Authorization Card (EAD) card issued by the USCIS. The EAD Card issued by USCIS is also called as I-766 form. Don’t be confused with the name form after I-766, it is nothing but the EAD Card.  

Below is a screenshot of the latest EAD Card re-designed in 2023. It has the EAD Category Code circled for your reference.

Sample EAD Combo Card given by USCIS
USCIS EAD Card Category Code on the new design of EAD card from 2023

Below is a screenshot of the previous EAD Card that was issued before 2023. You can see the Category Code pointed with red arrow for your reference.

USCIS EAD Card Category Code
Sample USCIS issued EAD Card with Category Code highlighted – Before 2023

Also, the EAD category codes are completely different from Green Card Category Codes. Even though they look the same or similar, they mean completely different things.

For example, the C26 code under the EAD Category code means EAD given for H4 visa holders. But, the C26 code under the Green Card category codes is given for spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents, who are subject to country limits and get green cards using the adjustment of status option. So, do not be confused.

Upto 540 Days Automatic Extension of EAD to Work

As part of the USCIS modernization efforts, fin April 2024, USCIS announced that depending on the category code of the EAD issued by USCIS, one can work for up to 540 days while the EAD application is pending with USCIS. This is called the 540-day automatic extension of EAD. ‘

Later, in December 2024, USCIS published a final rule in the federal register that permanently increased the EAD automatic extension period from 180 days to 540 days. You can read more in the article: USCIS Final rule increased EAD automatic extension to 540 days.

In the past, the automatic extension period for EAD was 180 days. This was increased to 540 days by USCIS using the proper rulemaking process.

Conditions for Automatic 540 Days Extension of EAD for Certain Category Codes

  • Properly filed EAD renewal before current EAD Expiration. It means that you should have the “received date” on the receipt notice of EAD before the “card expires date” on the EAD card. Also, the “received date” is on or after May 4, 2022.
  • EAD Category code falls under the eligible category as classified by USCIS as listed ( see below): A03, A05, A07, A08, A10, A17*, A18*, C08, C09, C10, C16, C20, C22, C26*, C24, C31, and A12 or C19.  
  • Also, the Category Code on your current valid EAD Card matches with the “Class Requested” or “Eligibility Category” on the EAD receipt notice.   

* Only certain employees who file the EAD timely before the Form I-94 expiration, using I-765 are eligible for categories of A17, A18, and C26 are eligible for the automatic extension.

List of EAD Category Codes with 540 Days Automatic Eligibility Info

USCIS EAD Category Code

 EAD Category Eligibility Description

540 Days Automatic Extension Eligibility

A02

A lawful temporary resident pursuant to sections 245A or 210 of the INA

No

A03

Refugee

Yes

A04

Paroled as refugee

No

A05

Asylee (granted asylum)

Yes

A06

  • K1 non-immigrant fiancé(e) of US Citizen
  • K2 child of K1

No

A07

  • N-8 Parent of international organization employee granted permanent residence
  • N-9 Dependent Child of international organization employee granted permanent residence

Yes

A08

Citizen of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau admitted as a nonimmigrant

Yes

A09

  • K-3 nonimmigrant spouse of USC
  • K-4 child of K-3

No

A10

Granted Withholding of Deportation or Removal

Yes

A11

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)

No

A12

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted under 8 CFR 244.12

Yes

A13

IMMACT Family Unity beneficiary

(Section 301 of the Immigration Act of 1990)

No

A14

LIFE Act Family Unity beneficiary

(Section 1504 of the Legal Immigrant Family Equity (LIFE) Act Amendments)

No

A15

  • V-1 Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident
  • V-2 Minor unmarried child of Lawful Permanent Resident
  • V-3 Minor unmarried child of V-1 or V-2

No

A16

T-1 nonimmigrant (victims of severe forms of trafficking)

No

A17

  • Spouse of E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader/Investor
  • Spouse of E-3 specialty occupation professional from Australia

 Yes*

(*timely filing before I-94 expiry)

Upto 540 days or before I-94 expiration, whichever is earlier. 

A18

L2 spouse of an L1 visa intracompany transfer

Yes*

(*timely filing before I-94 expiry)

Upto 540 days or before I-94 expiration, whichever is earlier. 

A19

U1 nonimmigrant (victims of certain criminal activity)

No

A20

  • U-2 spouse of U-1 aliens
  • U-3 children of U-1 aliens
  • U-4 parents of minor U-1 aliens (16 or under)
  • U-5 unmarried sibling under age 18 of U-1 alien under age 21

No

C01

Dependent of A-1 or A-2 foreign government official

No

C02

Dependent of TECRO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) E-1 Non-immigrant

No

C03A

Pre-completion OPT F1 visa students

No

C03B

Post-completion OPT F1 visa students

No

C03C

24-month extension for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) OPT students

No

C03(ii)

F-1 student offered off-campus employment under the Sponsorship of Qualifying International Organization

No

C03(iii)

F-1 student seeking off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship

No

C04

Spouse or unmarried dependent child of G-1, G-3 or G-4 nonimmigrant (Representative of International Organization and their dependents)

No

C05

J-2 spouse or minor child of a J-1 exchange visitor

No

C06

M-1 student seeking practical training after completing studies

No

C07

Dependent of NATO-1 through NATO-7 nonimmigrant

No

C08

Asylum applicant (w/ pending asylum application) who filed for asylum on or after January 4, 1995

Yes

C09

Adjustment of status applicant

Yes

C10

  • Suspension of deportation applicants (filed before April 1, 1997)
  • Cancellation of Removal applicants
  • Cancellation applicants under NACARA

Yes

C11

An alien paroled into the United States in the public interest or temporarily for emergency reasons

No

C12

Spouse of an E-2 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) investor; eligible for employment in the CNMI only

No

C14

Alien granted deferred action

No

C16

Registry applicant based on continuous residence since January 1, 1972

Yes

C17(i)

B1 nonimmigrant who is the personal or domestic servant of a nonimmigrant employer

No

C17(ii)

B1 nonimmigrant domestic servant of a U.S. citizen

No

C17(iii)

B1 nonimmigrant employed by foreign airline

No

C18

Alien with a final order of deportation/order of supervision;

No

C19

Temporary Protected Status applicant under 8 CFR 244.5

Yes

C20

Alien who has filed a completed legalization application for special agricultural workers

Yes

C21

 S visa non-immigrant

No

C22

Alien who has filed a completed legalization application under INA 245A

Yes

C23

Irish peace process (Q-2)

 

C24

LIFE legalization applicant

Yes

C25

  • T-2 spouse of T-1, victim of trafficking
  • T-3 child of T-1
  • T-4 parent of T-1 (if T-1 is under age 21)

No

C26

 Certain H4 Visa spouses of H1B holders, qualify for it. Check Apply H4 EAD Guide 

Yes*

(*timely filing before I-94 expiry)

Upto 540 days or before I-94 expiration, whichever is earlier. 

C27

Abused spouse of an A nonimmigrant

No

C28

Abused spouse of an E-3 nonimmigrant

No

C29

Abused spouse of a G nonimmigrant

No

C30

Abused spouse of an H nonimmigrant

No

C31

  • The principal beneficiary of an approved VAWA self-petition
  • Qualified child of a beneficiary of an approved VAWA self-petition

Yes

C33

An alien who has been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

No

C35

The principal beneficiary of an approved employment-based immigrant petition facing compelling circumstances

No

C36

Spouse or unmarried child of a principal beneficiary of an approved employment-based immigrant petition facing compelling circumstances

No

Are the EAD Category codes entered in the I-765 form the same as the ones on EAD Card?

Yes, they both are the same. The main difference is that, when you enter the EAD Category Code, you would enter it with parenthesis, and when that is printed on the EAD Card, it will be turned into upper case and parenthesis are removed.

Example: EAD Category Code for F1 Visa Post-completion OPT is C03B on the EAD Card, but when you apply, you would enter it in form as (c)(3)(B) as per I-765 instructions. Technically, both are the same. If you notice, the parenthesis is removed and a zero is added in front for the same on the EAD card.

Can all EAD Categories apply for the benefit using the I-765 form online?

No, only F1 OPT and STEM OPT extension applicants can file the I-765 form online. The provision for online submission was added for F1 Students in April 2021. Check the USCIS press release

References

   

Other Articles

Leave a Comment