Step 4: Received a Combo Card(EAD/AP)

After your EAD and AP approval, you will receive your COMBO card via mail like a couple week. A combo cards serves as both employment authorization document and an advance parole document while your form I-485 is pending with USCIS.

What is an Employment Authorization Document(EAD) and Advance Parole(AP)?

EAD – it is a document that will authorize an individual to work until the it expires(valid for 1 year). It is also known as work permit. The EAD may also serve as evidence of immigration status. This will show that you have a pending application for immigration benefits that authorize employment while the application is pending. If you EAD has has expired, you should file for renewal by submitting a form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Take note, you CANNOT file for a renewal EAD more than 120 days before your original EAD expires.

AP – it is a document issued by the United states to allow/permit certain alien, who do not have valid immigration visa, to re-enter the United states after travelling abroad. If you are paroled to the U.S you still remain an applicant for admission, regardless of any status you may have had before leaving the U.S, and therefore you will continue to be subject to further inspection and to the inadmissibly grounds under section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act(INA).

EAD Replacement – Incorrect Information

If the USCIS made some errors or incorrect information in your issued card, the appropriate correction will be made. In these cases, a new form I-765 and a filing fee are NOT REQUIRED. You must submit the original card along with the detailed explanation of the card error and supporting document on the correct information to the Service Center or National Benefit Center that approved your last employment authorization request.

If the card issued to you contains incorrect information that is NOT ATTRIBUTED by USCIS error, you can still file for replacement with new Form I-765 and Filling fee are REQUIRED as well as any documents specified in the instructions. And you must submit the card containing error along with the Form I-765. Visit USCIS page for full details.

EAD Replacement – Lost/Stolen/Destroyed

In these cases, it may be replaced by filing a new Form I-765 and filing fee, unless a fee waiver is requested and approved. However, dependents of a certain foreign government, international organizations and NATO personnel are not required to pay a fee for a replacement.

My EAD and AP Timeline