If you lost your work permit in the United States, had your card stolen, or it was damaged, you can request a replacement Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Generally, this process is carried out with a new application for the I-765 form, but it is not the same as renewing a permit that is about to expire.
A lost or stolen EAD card does not, by itself, mean that the work authorization granted to you by USCIS has ended. However, you will need to find a way to verify that authorization when necessary, especially if you are starting a new job. The replacement procedure, its fees, and the required documentation depend on the immigration category and what happened to the document.
How to request a replacement for an EAD work permit with Form I-765
1. Check if you need a replacement and not a renewal. If the permit is still valid but you lost it, it was stolen, or it is damaged, use the replacement procedure. If it has already expired or is about to expire and you need another authorization period, first check the renewal requirements for your category. The replacement does not add months or years of validity to the previous permit.
2. Visit the official USCIS I-765 form page. Download the current version or check if your category allows you to submit the application online. Not all categories and circumstances are processed in the same way.
3. Select the correct option. In Part 1, section 1.b, choose the replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document, or the correction of an error not attributable to USCIS. Do not check "initial application" or "renewal" if your sole purpose is to replace a still-valid card.
4. Complete the information and prepare the evidence. Use your legal name, current postal address, foreign number (A-Number), and eligibility category where applicable. Include the required documentation for your situation and an explanation of what happened to the card.
5. Verify the cost and submit the application. Consult the G-1055 fee schedule and the official I-765 filing addresses before paying or sending documents. USCIS modified the addresses for some submissions in October 2026, so it is advisable to avoid outdated mailing instructions.
6. Keep the receipt acknowledgment. After USCIS accepts the application, use the receipt number to check the case status. The receipt notice may serve a specific purpose for verifying employment in certain circumstances, but it does not equate to an approval of a new work authorization.
What documents are needed to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged EAD?
USCIS indicates that when requesting a replacement, you must provide the documents required by the I-765 instructions for your category, in addition to explaining what happened to the card. If the EAD is damaged and you still have it, you usually need to submit it with the application when the instructions indicate to do so.
Among the documents that may be necessary are a copy of your previous EAD, if you have one; the I-797 approval notice; identity and status documents or immigration application; and evidence specific to your eligibility category. Not all applicants are required to provide exactly the same documents. If a document is in Spanish, check USCIS’s rules for translation into English.
If the card was stolen, it is wise to keep a copy of a police report if you chose to file one, along with any documents regarding the theft. A security recommendation should not be confused with a universal requirement from USCIS: the I-765 instructions specify what evidence you must submit.
How much does it cost to replace the EAD work permit in 2026?
The general fee for Form I-765, according to the G-1055 updated on October 16, 2026, is 470 dollars online or 520 dollars on paper when the regular fee applies. However, not all EAD holders pay the same amount.
For example, for certain applicants with a pending I-485 adjustment of status filed and paid since April 1, 2024, the I-765 fee may be 260 dollars. For specific pending I-485 applications filed before that date, with the corresponding fee paid, the replacement may be exempt. There are also other exemptions and possibilities to request a fee waiver using the I-912 when the category and current rules allow it.
Additional immigration fees set for certain initial applications or renewals should not be automatically applied to any replacement. Before submitting the application, check the reason "replacement," the category of your EAD, and the amount indicated by USCIS for that case. An application with incorrect payment may be rejected.
Can you work if you lost your EAD card? The rule of the I-9 form
The loss of the physical card does not automatically cancel an active work authorization. However, an employer may need to verify your identity and work authorization using the I-9 form. That verification has specific rules that should not be confused with the immigration process for replacement.
According to the official USCIS receipt rule for Form I-9, in certain situations, a receipt showing that you requested a replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged document that would still have been valid is acceptable.
For a new hire, that receipt may serve temporarily for 90 days from the hiring date, after which the replacement document or the documentation allowed by I-9 rules must be presented. In a reverification, the rule pertains to the expiration date of the corresponding authorization. There are conditions and exceptions that the employer must apply as per the case.
Very important: the receipt rule for replacing a lost card does not mean that a simple receipt for the initial application or renewal of I-765 allows you to work. It also does not extend an EAD whose work authorization has already expired. If you are having difficulties with the documentation, consult your employer about acceptable alternatives for the I-9, without assuming that a photocopy of the EAD automatically serves as an original document.
What to do if USCIS approved the EAD, but the card never arrived
If your work permit was approved but you never received the card, the first step is not always to pay for a replacement. Check the status of your case to see if USCIS has already sent the card and, when it appears, the tracking number from the United States Postal Service (USPS).
If the shipment shows as completed but has not arrived, check the official tool to report a non-delivered card. Follow the timeline and instructions provided by the system for your situation. USCIS can reissue the document at no additional charge if the delivery failure was due to an error by the agency or USPS.
However, if the issue was due to an incorrect address provided by the applicant or not notifying about a change of address, USCIS may require a new I-765 and the corresponding payment. To avoid another delivery problem, ensure that USCIS and USPS have your current mailing address updated.
How to correct a work permit with incorrect name, date, or other details
If you received the EAD, but it contains incorrect information, the procedure depends on who caused the error.
USCIS Error: if the agency misspelled your name, a date, or another piece of information due to their mistake, you can correct it for free. In that case, USCIS states that it is not necessary to submit a new I-765 or pay another fee. Depending on the required evidence, you can use their typo correction service or follow the official instructions to return the card and provide documentation.
Error not from USCIS: if the information submitted by the applicant was incorrect or the change is due to subsequent circumstances—for example, a legal name change—it may be necessary to submit another I-765, pay the applicable fee, and return the incorrect card, according to the agency's instructions.
How long does USCIS take to send a replacement EAD?
There is no single timeframe that guarantees the delivery of a replacement card across all categories. The time varies based on verifications, USCIS workload, the mode of submission, and postal delivery.
You can check the processing time for Form I-765 for the corresponding category and review your case with the receipt number. If your file exceeds the indicated timelines, USCIS has tools available to submit inquiries. The approval and the production of the card do not necessarily occur on the same date.
In exceptional situations, such as a documented emergency that severely impacts your ability to work, you can review the USCIS criteria for requesting expedited processing. Submitting that request does not guarantee approval.
What happens if the work permit is expired or about to expire?
A replacement request is used to substitute a previously issued card, not to grant a new authorization period. If the expiration date has passed, you should verify if you need to request a renewal and if you have any work authorization independent of the card.
The rules regarding automatic extensions for certain EADs changed in 2025 and 2026. To find out who is affected and how to act before the expiration, check our guide to renewing work permits in the United States. The receipt for replacing a lost card and the receipt for renewal have different implications for employment verification.
Before submitting a new form, check the category listed on your EAD, its expiration date, and the current instructions for the I-765 from USCIS. If you rely on the document to maintain your employment and your situation is complex, an immigration lawyer or accredited representative can assist you in identifying the appropriate application without confusing a replacement with a renewal.
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