Effective October 5, 2016, USCIS has increased the validity period for initial or renewal Employment Authorization Documents for asylum applicants from one year to two years. Applicants with pending asylum claims file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, under category (c)(8). This change applies to all (c)(8)-based applications that are pending as of October 5, 2016 and all such applications filed on or after October 5, 2016.

Certain aliens who are temporarily in the United States may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Other aliens who are authorized to work in the United States without restrictions must also use this form to apply to USCIS for a document that shows such authorization

Special Filing Instructions for Those With Pending Asylum Applications ((c)(8)) Asylum Applicant (with a pending asylum application) who filed for asylum on or after January 4, 1995. You must wait at least 150 days following the filling of your asylum claim before you are eligible to apply for an EAD.

Note to Asylum Applicants: If you are an asylum applicant, please refer to the asylum Web pages for criteria for eligibility, including information about the calculation of the 180-day Asylum EAD Clock.