USCIS EAD Category Codes for H4, L2 EAD. Automatic 180 EAD extension for A03, A05, A07, A08, A10, C08, C09, C10, C16, C20, C22, C24, C31 and A12 or C19.
AM22Tech Team Updated 10 Mar, 24
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USCIS issues an EAD card for unrestricted employment in the USA. The EAD card is also known as form I-766.
The application form for an EAD card is called form I-765. Form I765 requires an EAD category code to approve your eligibility.
You can use this app to fill out the EAD form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS.
You should write the correct EAD category code to avoid any RFE (request for evidence). The same category code is printed on your EAD card i.e. form I-766.
Example:
- H4 EAD category code is C(26)
- L2 EAD category code is A(18). Recently, USCIS made the changes to allow L2-dependent work just with the use of L2 i94. No need to apply L2 EAD using form i765 separately.
- Asylum refugees EAD category code is A(3)
- i485 Adjustment of Status EAD category code is (C)(9)
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) EAD category code is C33
USCIS EAD Category Codes
USCIS only allows some EAD categoriesto keep working even after EAD expiry if you have filed the extension before the current EAD approval expires.
Automatic 180 EAD extension allowed for A03, A05, A07, A08, A10, C08, C09, C10, C16, C20, C22, C24, C31 and A12 or C19.
| Code | EAD Code Eligibility | 180-Day Automatic Extension? |
|---|---|---|
| A02 | A lawful temporary resident under sections 245A or 210 of the INA | N |
| A03 | Refugee | Y |
| A04 | Paroled as refugee | N |
| A05 | Asylee (granted asylum) | Y |
| A06 |
| N |
| A07 |
| Y |
| A08 | Citizen of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau admitted as a non-immigrant | Y |
| A09 |
| N |
| A10 | Granted Withholding of Deportation or Removal | Y |
| A11 | Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) | N |
| A12 | Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted under 8 CFR 244.12 | Y |
| A13 | IMMACT Family Unity beneficiary (Section 301 of the Immigration Act of 1990) | N |
| A14 | LIFE Act Family Unity beneficiary (Section 1504 of the Legal Immigrant Family Equity (LIFE) Act Amendments) | N |
| A15 |
| N |
| A16 | T-1 nonimmigrant (victims of a severe form of trafficking) | N |
| A17 |
| N |
| A18 | L-2 spouse of an L-1 intracompany transfer (L-1: Individuals in the U.S. who have been transferred from a subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office overseas to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge capacity | Y No need to file EAD.Can work using L2 i94. |
| A19 | U-1 nonimmigrant (victims of certain criminal activity) | N |
| A20 | N | |
| C01 | Dependents of A-1 or A-2 foreign government official | N |
| C02 | Dependent of TECRO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) E-1 non-immigrant) | N |
| C03A | Pre-completion OPT F-1 students | N |
| C03B | Post-completion OPT F-1 students | N |
| C03C | 24-month extension for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) OPT students | N |
| C03(ii) | F-1 student offered off-campus employment under the Sponsorship of Qualifying International Organization | N |
| C03(iii) | F-1 student seeking off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship | N |
| C04 | Spouse or unmarried dependent child of G-1, G-3, or G-4 nonimmigrant (Representative of International Organization and their dependents) | N |
| C05 | J-2 spouse or minor child of a J-1 exchange visitor | N |
| C06 | M-1 student seeking practical training after completing studies | N |
| C07 | Dependent of NATO-1 through NATO-7 non-immigrant | N |
| C08 | Asylum applicant (w/ pending asylum application) who filed for asylum on or after January 4, 1995 | Y |
| C09 | Adjustment of status (i485) This is also known as green card EAD. People who are waiting for their GC approval are eligible for this EAD. How to apply for green card EAD renewal. Most times, USCIS issues a combo card for EAD and Advance parole. | Y |
| C10 |
| Y |
| C11 | An alien paroled into the United States in the public interest or temporarily for emergency reasons | N |
| C12 | Spouse of an E-2 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) investor; eligible for employment in the CNMI only | N |
| C14 | Alien granted deferred action | N |
| C16 | Registry applicant based on continuous residence since January 1, 1972 | N |
| C17(i) | B-1 nonimmigrant who is the personal or domestic servant of a nonimmigrant employer | N |
| C17(ii) | B-1 nonimmigrant domestic servant of a U.S. citizen | N |
| C17(iii) | B-1 nonimmigrant employed by a foreign airline | N |
| C18 | Alien with a final order of deportation/order of supervision; | N |
| C19 | Temporary Protected Status applicant under 8 CFR 244.5 | Y |
| C20 | An alien who has filed a completed legalization application for special agricultural workers | Y |
| C22 | An alien who has filed a completed legalization application under INA 245A | Y |
| C24 | LIFE legalization applicant | Y |
| C25 |
| N |
| C26 | H4 Dependents of H1B Visa worker It is also known as H4-EAD in general language | Y Auto Extension rule |
| C31 |
| Y |
| C33 | An alien who has been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) | N |
| C35 | The principal beneficiary of an approved employment-based immigrant petition facing compelling circ*mstances | N |
| C36 | Spouse or unmarried child of a principal beneficiary of an approved employment-based immigrant petition facing compelling circ*mstances. | N |
Related: Current EAD processing time
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