USCIS INTRODUCES NEW EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT WITH ENHANCED SECURITY FEATURES

USCIS is now issuing a new version of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Form I-766. The EAD serves as proof to employers that an individual is authorized to work in the United States. The new card is designed with numerous security features to prevent counterfeiting and fraud. The card includes a magnetic strip, a two-dimensional barcode, and several features that can be used in forensic examination to determine the card’s authenticity.

The new EAD eliminates all references to the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and includes only markings that identify it as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS document. An EAD is normally valid for up to one year, although there are some cases in which a longer validity period is authorized. An EAD is typically produced and mailed within three days after an individual's application for benefits is processed and approved. The current production rate of the EAD is about 24,000 per week.