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How much does it cost to renew a work permit? As verified October 11, 2026, the general work permit renewal fee for Form I-765 is $470 online or $520 on paper. A category-specific fee, exemption or approved regulatory fee waiver can change that amount, and online filing requires an eligible category and method. Check the complete applicable row of Form G-1055 before filing.
H.R. 1, enacted in 2025, added separate fees for certain EAD categories. As verified October 11, 2026, renewal under TPS categories (a)(12) or (c)(19), and most parole category (c)(11) renewals, carries an additional $280; asylum applicant category (c)(8) renewal carries an additional $275. These required fees cannot be waived or reduced and must be paid separately. Check the specific exceptions in G-1055: under the February 5, 2026 court order in Ms. L. v. ICE, the (c)(11) additional fee does not apply to Ms. L. settlement class members and their Qualifying Additional Family Members.
The cost depends on your category and permitted filing method. G-1055 lists the applicable I-765 fees, rather than a separate general biometrics fee. Our guide on USCIS work permit processing times addresses the separate question of waiting for a decision.
What decides your work permit renewal fee?
There is no single renewal price for every category. The following factors determine which fee row applies.
As verified October 11, 2026, the general Form I-765 filing fee is $470 online or $520 on paper, unless a different category-specific row, exemption or approved regulatory fee waiver applies. Online filing is available only for eligible categories and filing methods. Check any separate H.R. 1 fee as well.
| How you file | General renewal fee |
|---|---|
| Online, if your category and method are eligible | $470 |
| Paper (by mail) | $520 |
These standard fees come from the 2024 fee rule. In 2025, H.R. 1 added extra fees for certain EAD categories (such as asylum, parole and TPS).
These general fees are verified against Form G-1055, edition October 7, 2026. Category-specific fees, exemptions and required H.R. 1 additional fees must be checked before you use either figure.
The second factor is the immigration category you are renewing under. Not every category is treated the same way when it comes to fees or fee waivers. Some categories have different payment rules.
If you filed Form I-485 with a fee on or after April 1, 2024 and it is still pending, the I-765 fee is $260 for either permitted filing method. If your pending I-485 was filed on or after July 30, 2007 and before April 1, 2024 and you paid its filing fee, the I-765 fee is $0. These rules are not limited to simultaneous filing; specific fee-exempt categories also apply.
PDF upload for category (c)(9) is limited to certain family-based and employment-based adjustment applicants. A fee-exempt C09 application must currently be mailed on paper to receive the exemption; paying through PDF upload despite being exempt does not result in a refund. Eligible C09 applicants who pay a required fee or request a fee waiver may use the permitted PDF process. Fee-waiver filing is not universally restricted to paper.
Outside of these situations, the amount is fixed by the official fee schedule. It doesn’t depend on the state where you live or on how long you have been in the U.S.
When you DON’T have to pay: fee waivers and exemptions
Not everyone who renews a work permit has to pay the full fee. In some cases, you can ask for a waiver or you may be exempt.
For an eligible request, Form I-912 or a qualifying written request may seek a waiver of the DHS regulatory fee based on a current qualifying means-tested benefit, household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines when you file, or documented extreme financial hardship that prevents payment. Not every request is eligible. A required H.R. 1 additional fee cannot be waived or reduced and must be paid separately.
Certain categories listed in G-1055 are fee-exempt; the amount depends on the complete row for your category and request. An exemption differs from a requested fee waiver. A $0 regulatory fee does not eliminate a separate H.R. 1 additional fee when that fee applies.
Important: a fee waiver is not automatic. USCIS reviews it together with your application and can ask for more documents to confirm it.
When you DO have to pay for the renewal
Pay the fee for your specific category and permitted filing method, including any required separate H.R. 1 fee, unless the applicable row is fee-exempt or USCIS approves an eligible regulatory fee waiver.
If a fee is required and no applicable exemption or eligible fee waiver covers it, USCIS generally rejects a submission without valid payment of the correct amount. A waiver request does not remove any non-waivable H.R. 1 additional fee. Check whether your request is fee-exempt, waiver-eligible or requires payment before you submit it.
Renew on time and check whether an extension applies
For most EAD renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025, the former automatic-extension rule no longer applies. The change preserves eligible extensions based on timely filings before that date and extensions otherwise provided by law or Federal Register notice, including applicable TPS notices. Filing early does not guarantee a decision before expiration. If authorization expires and no extension or other valid authorization applies, you must stop working.
For the separate question of waiting for a decision, consult our guide on USCIS work permit processing time and the official tool for your case.
Where to check how much you have to pay
Use the USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055, the Fee Calculator where available, and the current official instructions and alerts for your category. Before you send your renewal, follow these steps:
- Check your exact category on your current EAD card.
- Look up your category in the official USCIS fee schedule or Fee Calculator.
- Confirm whether your category allows a fee waiver with Form I-912.
- Check which filing methods USCIS allows for your category and request, then confirm the fee for the permitted method. Some category-specific fees are the same for both methods.
- Keep proof of your payment or your fee waiver request.
Fees can change with new regulations or laws, so always check the official information right before you file. If you are also thinking about travel, read our guide on traveling within the U.S. with a work permit.
Common mistakes when renewing your work permit
Possible filing problems include an outdated fee, missing fee waiver evidence or an incorrect eligibility category. Check the current instructions rather than assuming that the same amount applies to everyone.
Inconsistent names, A-numbers or missing evidence can cause processing problems. Rejection at intake depends on acceptance requirements; adjudication may instead involve an evidence request or denial. Review the applicable instructions and any notice to understand the issue.
Before filing, check Form G-1055, confirm your category and review the required evidence. Careful preparation can reduce avoidable errors, but it cannot guarantee uninterrupted employment authorization or a decision before your EAD expires.
If you have questions about your situation or are not sure if you qualify for a fee waiver, YSL Immigration Lawyers can help. Contact our immigration attorneys in Austin and Laredo, Texas, to review your case before you file.
Frequently asked questions about the work permit renewal fee
What is the current fee to renew a work permit, and what makes it change?
As verified October 11, 2026, the general I-765 renewal fee is $470 online or $520 on paper, where that method is available. A pending I-485 filed with its fee on or after April 1, 2024 qualifies for $260; a pending I-485 filed from July 30, 2007 to before April 1, 2024 with its fee paid qualifies for $0. Category-specific exemptions or additional H.R. 1 fees can change the total. See the table and the complete current Form G-1055 row before filing. Online filing is limited to eligible categories and methods. Certain family-based or employment-based C09 adjustment applicants may use PDF upload when paying a required fee or requesting an eligible waiver; a fee-exempt C09 request must be mailed on paper to receive the exemption. Required H.R. 1 additional renewal fees include $280 for TPS and most parole renewals and $275 for (c)(8) asylum applicant renewals, paid separately and not waived or reduced. Check specific exceptions, including the February 5, 2026 Ms. L. court-order exception for affected (c)(11) settlement class members and Qualifying Additional Family Members.
When can I skip the fee or get a fee waiver, and what proof do I need?
A fee-exempt request does not require an I-912. For a waiver-eligible regulatory fee, submit Form I-912 or a qualifying written request with current proof of a qualifying means-tested benefit, household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines when filing, or extreme financial hardship preventing payment. Evidence must establish your present circumstances. Required H.R. 1 additional fees cannot be waived or reduced and must be paid separately; approval of the regulatory waiver is not automatic.
What documents should I prepare, and what supports a fee waiver?
For renewal, include a copy of your last EAD, front and back, and the category-specific eligibility evidence required by the current I-765 instructions. Follow the photo and evidence requirements for your permitted filing method. Passport or travel-document evidence does not universally replace the prior EAD; the instructions contain category-specific exceptions.
If requesting a fee waiver, provide current evidence for the basis you claim: means-tested benefits, qualifying household income or extreme financial hardship preventing payment. A prior approval alone does not establish current eligibility. Submit the request with the application, and keep copies of what you filed.
Where can I check the current fee and the official payment options?
The official source is the USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055, and the Fee Calculator at uscis.gov/feecalculator. Fees can change, so check the latest version before you file.
For a request eligible for online filing, pay through the USCIS account process. For filing by mail, USCIS generally requires Form G-1450 for a credit, debit or prepaid card, or Form G-1650 for ACH payment from a U.S. bank account. Paper-based payment requires an applicable exception and Form G-1651; this is an exception to the payment method, not a fee waiver. Payments must be in U.S. dollars from a U.S. bank; foreign-bank payments are rejected. Follow the current instructions for your form and filing location.
What common mistakes can affect my renewal because of the fee?
Possible payment-related problems include an outdated amount, missing fee waiver evidence or an incorrect eligibility category. Check official changes, confirm the exact category-specific amount and keep your payment records.
What happens after I file, and what if the fees change?
After USCIS accepts your application, it issues a receipt notice with a receipt number. USCIS may request additional evidence; read each notice and respond by its stated deadline. A rejected package does not receive the same treatment as an accepted application.
Use the fee and effective-date instructions for the specific official change that applies to your request. Some changes use the postmark date; the announced October 16, 2026 adjustment applies to affected requests postmarked on or after that date. It does not change the renewal amounts stated here. Incorrect payment generally causes rejection rather than a promised later adjustment; retain receipts and notices.
