Work Permit 150 Days After Asylum Filing: Delays, Not a Halt?

If you’ve applied for asylum and are counting the days until you can work, any talk of a “USCIS halt” can be very scary. Based on available information up to late 2025, there is no confirmed, general USCIS stop on work permit processing. Under normal rules, you can still seek a work permit after a certain number of days, and long delays do not usually change that basic eligibility date.

This guide will help you:

• See when you can apply for a work permit as an asylum seeker
• Check your own 150‑day clock, even if you worry there is some halt or slowdown
• Follow a step‑by‑step plan to file your request safely
• Avoid common mistakes that can cost you more waiting time

Throughout this guide, “work permit” means the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), requested with Form I-765.

Basic rules for asylum work permit eligibility

When you file an asylum case with USCIS using Form I-589, a “clock” starts that tracks how many days you’ve been waiting. Under current rules:

• You may file for a work permit 150 days after USCIS receives a complete asylum application.
• USCIS is not allowed to approve your first work permit until at least 180 days have passed on this clock.

The 150‑day and 180‑day rules come from federal law and long‑standing regulations. They don’t change just because processing is slow, or because there are high backlogs.

However, your clock can stop if:

• USCIS says your Form I-589 is incomplete or missing pages
• You miss a fingerprint appointment or interview
• You ask to postpone an interview

Any pause like this can delay the date when you reach 150 days.

For official background and details, see the USCIS asylum page: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/asylum.

What if there is a “halt” or slowdown?

There is no proof of a current, official USCIS halt on work permits for asylum seekers. What is known:

• Asylum applicants still become eligible to apply at 150 days, provided their asylum clock is running.
• Reports indicate that about 54% of all work permit applications now take longer than 180 days to process. That is a delay in timing, but not a legal bar to filing or eventual approval.

If you hear about a “halt,” take these actions:

1. Check USCIS.gov for any new policy or alert.
2. Call USCIS at 1‑800‑375‑5283 to ask about your own case.
3. Speak with a trusted immigration lawyer or legal aid group if you receive a notice you don’t understand.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, most problems for asylum seekers are tied to backlogs and slow processing, not a complete shutdown of work permit decisions.

Important: Delays are common, but eligibility rules (150/180 days) remain the baseline unless USCIS issues a specific, publicly posted policy change.

Step‑by‑step: How to apply after 150 days

Once you are sure at least 150 days have passed on your asylum clock, follow these steps.

1. Confirm your asylum receipt date

• Look at your I‑589 receipt notice (Form I‑797C). The “Received Date” is usually the date your asylum clock starts.
• Count 150 days from that date, and consider any known pauses (for example, missed appointments).

If you are unsure whether your clock stopped, you can:

• Call USCIS and ask about your asylum clock, or
• Ask a lawyer or accredited representative to review your case history.

2. Use the correct I‑765 category

For asylum applicants whose cases are still pending, the category is normally:

• (c)(8) – “Pending asylum application”

On Form I-765, you must enter this category in the part that asks for your eligibility. Using the wrong category is a common reason for delays.

Download the current form and instructions from USCIS: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

3. Prepare your packet

A typical asylum‑based work permit request includes:

• Completed and signed Form I-765
• A copy of your Form I-589 receipt notice
• A copy of any previous EAD (if renewing)
• Copies of your passport or other identity documents, if available
• Two passport‑style photos that meet USCIS rules

Always check the most recent I‑765 instructions, as requirements can change.

4. Check fees and fee waivers

• For many asylum seekers, the initial work permit under category (c)(8) does not require a filing fee, but USCIS rules can change.
• Before filing, confirm the current fee rules in the I‑765 instructions and any updates on the USCIS site.

If a fee applies and you can’t pay, you may be able to request a fee waiver using Form I-912. Include proof of income and expenses and follow instructions carefully.

5. File your application

• You may be able to file online, through a USCIS account, or
• By mail, to the address specified in the I‑765 instructions for (c)(8) applicants.

Keep copies of everything and save your mailing receipt or online confirmation. These records can help if there is a delay or a lost file.

Processing times, delays, and how to cope

In theory, USCIS is supposed to process initial asylum work permits within 30 days. In practice, that target is often missed.

Current realities:

• Many work permit cases now take more than 180 days.
• Backlogs can occur even without any formal halt or policy change.

You can check current posted times on the USCIS “Check Case Processing Times” tool, linked from most form pages, including the Form I‑765 page: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

If your case is far outside normal times, consider these options:

• Open an “outside normal processing time” service request through your USCIS account
• Call USCIS and ask to speak with a Tier 2 officer
• Ask your lawyer to contact congressional offices for assistance in certain cases

Common mistakes that cause more waiting

Avoid these frequent errors that lengthen processing:

• Filing too early: If USCIS gets your I‑765 before your 150‑day mark, it may be rejected.
• Wrong category: Using something other than (c)(8) when your asylum is still pending.
• Missing signature: An unsigned form is treated as if you never filed.
• Old form edition: Always download the latest I‑765 from USCIS before you fill it out.
• Address problems: If you move and don’t update your address, you can miss notices or even the approval card.

Watch your mail carefully. If USCIS sends a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), respond by the listed deadline.

Smart next steps if you are past 150 days

If you are already over 150 days from your asylum receipt date and worried about any halt or slowdown, follow this practical plan:

1. Confirm eligibility
   • Check that your asylum case filed with Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal is still pending and not denied or withdrawn.
2. File I‑765 as soon as you’re eligible
   • Don’t wait for perfect conditions; filing starts your place in line.
3. Stay informed about policy changes
   • Visit USCIS.gov often and review new news releases or policy alerts that mention asylum or work permits.
4. Seek legal help if you get strange notices
   • If you receive a letter that talks about a hold, stop, or pause on your case, take it to a lawyer or trusted legal clinic. They can explain what it means and help plan your next move.

Key takeaway: While long waits are stressful, most asylum applicants still reach the point where a work permit is possible. Staying organized, filing at the right time, and avoiding mistakes will reduce extra delays and make the process smoother.