The short version
- Quickest: (c)(8), pending asylum, first application (1 month), (a)(5), approved asylum (2.5 months) and (c)(3), F-1 student (OPT) (5 months).
- Slowest: TPS for El Salvador, (c)(19) and (a)(12) (18.5 months), (a)(3), refugee (18.5 months) and (c)(8), pending asylum, renewal or replacement (18.5 months).
- USCIS updates its processing times every month; the figure is the time it took to finish 80% of the cases decided in the past six months.
- Your receipt notice shows the category and the office to look up.
- Form I-765 asks for two identical 2 x 2 inch passport-style photos.
- SelfieToPassport turns a phone photo into 2 x 2 inch photos on a 4x6 sheet with 2 and a letter sheet with 6, for $6.95.
Work permit processing time in each category
Each category has its own page: (c)(9), pending green card application; (c)(3), F-1 student (OPT); (c)(8), pending asylum, first application; (c)(8), pending asylum, renewal or replacement; (c)(26), H-4 spouse, filed with Form I-539; (c)(26), H-4 spouse, filed alone; (a)(18), L-2 spouse; (a)(3), refugee; (a)(5), approved asylum; based on parole; (c)(10), suspension of deportation, NACARA or cancellation of removal; (c)(18), final order under an order of supervision; TPS for El Salvador, (c)(19) and (a)(12); all other categories.
The rules
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(8), pending asylum, first application: 80% were completed within 1 month at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (a)(5), approved asylum: 80% were completed within 2.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(3), F-1 student (OPT): 80% were completed within 5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(26), H-4 spouse, filed with Form I-539: 80% were completed within 6.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(10), suspension of deportation, NACARA or cancellation of removal: 80% were completed within 10 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category all other categories: 80% were completed within 10.5 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category all other categories: 80% were completed within 16 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(9), pending green card application: 80% were completed within 12 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(9), pending green card application: 80% were completed within 12.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category based on parole: 80% were completed within 13.5 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(18), final order under an order of supervision: 80% were completed within 16.5 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(26), H-4 spouse, filed alone: 80% were completed within 17.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (a)(18), L-2 spouse: 80% were completed within 18 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (c)(8), pending asylum, renewal or replacement: 80% were completed within 18.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category (a)(3), refugee: 80% were completed within 18.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
- Work permits (Form I-765), category TPS for El Salvador, (c)(19) and (a)(12): 80% were completed within 18.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
How USCIS counts the processing time
The figure is not a promise for your case: it looks back at cases USCIS already decided. USCIS generally works in the order it receives cases, and some take longer than others. Your receipt notice shows the form, category and office to look up.
The rule
- A USCIS processing time is how long it took USCIS to complete 80% of the cases it decided over the past six months. egov.uscis.gov
The two photos for Form I-765
Every category uses the same Form I-765 and the same photo rule. SelfieToPassport turns a phone photo into 2 x 2 inch photos on a 4x6 sheet with 2 and a letter sheet with 6, for $6.95.
The rule
- Form I-765, the work permit application, asks for two identical color passport-style photos taken recently, on a white to off-white background. uscis.gov
FAQ
Which I-765 category is the fastest?
In the USCIS figures read November 4, 2026: (c)(8), pending asylum, first application (1 month), (a)(5), approved asylum (2.5 months) and (c)(3), F-1 student (OPT) (5 months). Source: official page "USCIS Case Processing Times", checked on Nov 4, 2026.
How many photos does Form I-765 need?
Two identical color passport-style photos, 2 by 2 inches, taken recently. Source: official page "Instructions for Form I-765 (edition 08/21/25) › C. Photographs", checked on Nov 4, 2026.
Where this information comes from
Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State and the companies named, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
- USCIS Case Processing Times › I-765 › Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] – Initial Application › Service Center Operations (SCOPS) egov.uscis.gov · checked Nov 4, 2026
- Instructions for Form I-765 (edition 08/21/25) › C. Photographs uscis.gov · checked Nov 4, 2026
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.