Why Is My I-765 Work Permit Taking So Long?
The real reasons an I-765 EAD drags out in 2026, why the same form can take 2 months or 8.5 months, and how the I-131 travel document fits in.
If your I-765 work permit feels stuck, you are not imagining it. The published median in early 2026 runs anywhere from about 2 months to 8.5 months. Same form, wildly different waits. Here is why.
The eligibility category matters most
I-765 is one form, but it covers dozens of eligibility categories, and each has its own queue. An EAD tied to a pending I-485 adjustment moves on one schedule. A category tied to asylum or a specific status moves on another. The first thing to check is the category code you filed under, because that is what USCIS uses to post its time.
Which office has your case
Like every USCIS form, I-765 times are posted per service center. One center may be clearing the category in two months while another sits at six. You did not choose your center, so two people who filed the same week can wait very different amounts.
The I-131 connection
Many applicants file I-765 together with Form I-131 (Advance Parole) as a combo card. The catch: the combined document often cannot be issued until both pieces are ready, and I-131 itself runs around 6 to 7 months, with some categories reaching 19.5 months. So your work permit can be ready while the travel piece holds up the card.
Renewals and the gap problem
If you already have an EAD and are renewing it, timing is everything. A late-filed renewal can leave a gap where you are not authorized to work, which employers cannot ignore. Some categories get an automatic extension when you file the renewal on time, but the rules and length of that extension change, so confirm the current policy rather than assuming. The safest move is to file as early as the rules allow, well before your current card expires, so a slow queue does not turn into a work gap.
What actually helps
First, confirm your exact category and office, then pull the posted time at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. Second, check your case status online with your receipt number to see if it has moved recently. Third, if you are past the posted time, a service request through USCIS is the standard next step.
What does not help is refiling out of frustration, which can create duplicate-case confusion. The figures here are typical estimates, times shift month to month, and this is not legal advice. Verify your specifics on the official tool before assuming something is wrong.