USCIS EAD Category Codes - 180 Days Extension Info article

USCIS identifies work authorization given for a type of visa by a category code. This article will provide details on the same covering below topics.

Article Contents hide
1. What is Employment Authorization Document Code or EAD Code ?
2. 180 Days Automatic Extension of EAD to Work
3. List of EAD Category Codes with 180 Days Automatic Eligibility Info

What is Employment Authorization Document Code or EAD Code ?

USCIS provides work authorization to certain visa holders and spouses in US. Each of the eligible individuals for such employment authorization need to apply to USCIS using form I-765 and specify their category of work authorization. This category is called the Employment Authorization Document Code or in short EAD Code in context of US immigration.

The EAD code is also visible on the Employment Authorization Card (EAD) Card issued by 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.  It looks like below on the card. 

USCIS EAD Card Category Code
Sample USCIS issued EAD Card with Category Code highlighted

180 Days Automatic Extension of EAD to Work

From Jan 17, 2017, depending on the category code of the EAD issued by USCIS, one can work for up to 180 days, while the EAD application is pending with USCIS. This is called 180 days automatic extension of EAD.

For instance, H4 Visa EAD Card falls under Category C26 and it does not qualify for automatic 180 days extension. Meaning, H4 holder cannot work when their I-765 EAD Application is pending with USCIS, they need the physical copy of the card in hand to continue working. Same is the case with L2 EAD holders with category code A180.  Below are the conditions and full list of EAD category codes that have 180 days automatic extension eligibility.

Conditions for Automatic 180 Days Extension of EAD for Certain Category Codes

  • Properly filed EAD renewal before current EAD Expiration.
  • EAD Category code falls under the eligible category as classified by USCIS as listed ( see below): A03, A05, A07, A08, A10, C08, C09, C10, C16, C20, C22, C24, C31, and A12 or C19.  
  • Also, the Category Code on your current valid EAD Card matches with the “Class Requested” EAD receipt notice.   

List of EAD Category Codes with 180 Days Automatic Eligibility Info

USCIS EAD Category Code

 EAD Category Eligibility Description

180 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)

 

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 form of trafficking)

No

A17

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

No

A18

L2 spouse of an L1 visa intracompany transfer

No

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, who qualify for it.

No

C27

Abused spouse of an A nonimmigrant

No

C28

Abused spouse of an E-3 nonimmigrant

No

C29

Abused spouse of an G nonimmigrant

No

C30

Abused spouse of an H nonimmigrant

No

C31

  • 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

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

References : 

   

Other Articles