Form I-765 & Form I-131: Understanding Work and Travel Permit Costs

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What are Forms I-765 & I-131?

If you’re applying for a green card from within the United States (otherwise known as the “adjustment of status” process), you may have heard about Form I-765 and Form I-131. 

Form I-765, officially titled the “Application for Employment Authorization,” is commonly used during the green card process. Submitting Form I-765 along with a green card application provides applicants with the ability to work legally in the U.S. while they await a decision on their permanent residency status. It’s a separate application from the green card itself and requires its own processing by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, the individual will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), commonly referred to as a work permit, which allows them to work in the U.S. while their green card is pending.

Form I-131, officially titled the “Application for Travel Document,” is another form that may be useful for those going through the adjustment of status process. Form I-131 allows green card applicants to request a travel document, known as Advance Parole, which grants them permission to travel outside the U.S. and return while their green card application is still pending.

On April 1, 2024, USCIS is increasing the filing fees for nearly every visa category and immigration form, including Form I-765 and Form I-131. In the section below, we’ll break down what costs to expect for your adjustment of status application under USCIS’ new fee structure.