Key Takeaways
• Valid EAD card accepted for domestic US flights after May 7, 2025, per TSA regulations.
• Expired or temporary EAD cards are not allowed as identification at airport security checkpoints.
• REAL ID, EAD card, Green Card, and other federal IDs are all approved for US domestic air travel.
Traveling within the United States 🇺🇸 by air involves careful planning, especially when it comes to showing the correct identification at airport security. Understanding which forms of ID are acceptable at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints is very important for all travelers. Many people wonder if an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) can replace the need for a REAL ID when flying domestically. This detailed guide answers this question and covers everything you need to know about using an EAD card, REAL ID requirements, validity, and alternative options.
Most Popular Questions
1. Can I use my Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) to fly domestically after May 7, 2025?
2. What is the difference between an EAD card and a REAL ID?
3. What other forms of identification can I use for domestic flights?
4. What happens if my EAD card is expired or temporary?
5. Are there special rules for foreign nationals or people on visas?
6. Where can I find a full list of TSA-acceptable IDs?
7. If I have both a REAL ID and an EAD card, which one should I use at the airport?
8. Who needs a REAL ID, and why was this policy created?
9. What should I do if my ID is lost or stolen before my flight?
10. Where can I get more help or see official updates?
1. Can I use my Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) to fly domestically after May 7, 2025?
Yes, you can use a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)—also called Form I-766—to board domestic flights in the United States 🇺🇸 after May 7, 2025. The TSA lists the EAD card as an approved form of identification for all domestic air travel. This means you do not need to have a REAL ID-compliant to travel by air within the United States 🇺🇸 if you have a valid EAD card at the time of your flight.
(See also Question 6 for the TSA’s full list of acceptable IDs.)
2. What is the difference between an EAD card and a REAL ID?
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD card):
The EAD card is given by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to certain foreign nationals living in the United States 🇺🇸 so that they can legally work. It looks like a photo ID card and contains personal information. This card is also known as Form I-766. You can only get it as proof that you are allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸. The EAD card is NOT a driver’s license. - REAL ID:
The REAL ID is a special type of driver’s license or state-issued identification card. It has added security features set by the federal government. All states must issue these as standard IDs for federal purposes, like boarding flights. You can recognize a REAL ID by a star (or sometimes a bear) in the upper right corner of the card. - Key Point:
An EAD card is different from a REAL ID, but both are acceptable at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights after May 7, 2025.
3. What other forms of identification can I use for domestic flights?
The TSA allows several types of photo identification at airport security. These include:
- REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state IDs
- EAD card (Form I-766)
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Military ID (active duty or retired)
- Federally recognized tribal photo ID cards
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)
Note: Always check that your ID is not expired and in good condition.
For a complete and current list of approved forms of ID, you can visit the TSA’s official security page.
4. What happens if my EAD card is expired or temporary?
The TSA generally does not accept expired or temporary forms of identification for boarding commercial flights.
If your EAD card is expired, you must renew it before you plan to travel by air. Temporary or paper versions of the EAD, or a receipt for a pending application, are not valid for travel unless the TSA makes a special rule for rare situations.
It’s best to apply for renewal several months before your card expires. An expired EAD card will prevent you from using it as an ID at airport checkpoints.
5. Are there special rules for foreign nationals or people on visas?
Foreign nationals—including people with visas, work permits, or those waiting for green cards—often use their EAD card as their main official ID in the United States 🇺🇸. According to the sources, “permanent resident cards and employment authorization cards are both acceptable forms of documentation for domestic flights.”
This means both the green card and the EAD card are listed by the TSA, so you can use either if you have them, as long as they are unexpired and original (not copies).
6. Where can I find a full list of TSA-acceptable IDs?
The TSA’s official ID page provides the most current list of approved identification documents for all travelers.
You can check this page for updates and check the specific names and types of IDs that are allowed.
If you’re not sure whether your document is on the list, bring a backup form of ID or ask the TSA in advance.
7. If I have both a REAL ID and an EAD card, which one should I use at the airport?
You can use either an EAD card or a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID. Both are acceptable at TSA security after May 7, 2025.
Some people may feel more comfortable using their state-issued REAL ID if they have one, as it may be more familiar to airport staff. However, there is no rule against using your EAD card instead if you wish.
8. Who needs a REAL ID, and why was this policy created?
The REAL ID policy started after Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005. The goal was to set national standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards to help keep federal sites and planes safe.
Starting May 7, 2025, everyone over the age of 18 must show a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, or other TSA-accepted ID, to fly domestically or enter certain secure federal buildings.
If you do not have a REAL ID, you can use a passport, a permanent resident card, an EAD card, or another approved ID to meet the TSA’s requirements.
9. What should I do if my ID is lost or stolen before my flight?
If you lose or have your ID stolen before your flight, arrive as early as possible at the airport. The TSA can sometimes verify your identity in other ways, but it can make your check-in process longer and less smooth.
You may have to answer extra questions and provide other proof about who you are. Keep extra copies of important documents and always check the TSA’s latest guidance before travel.
10. Where can I get more help or see official updates?
For more information, always check the TSA website or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the latest updates on REAL ID, EAD cards, or travel rules.
You can also check local airport websites or official state DMV pages for information on how to get a REAL ID.
If you have an immigration lawyer or use a travel agent, they can also guide you on the best documents to carry.
How the Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) Works for Air Travel
The Employment Authorization Document, or EAD card, helps many foreign nationals and immigrants access work in the United States 🇺🇸 and also serves as an official form of government-issued photo ID.
Since the EAD card is listed as an acceptable document by the TSA, you can show it at security checkpoints for domestic flights after May 7, 2025.
It is important to remember that your EAD card must be the real, original copy and must not be expired, torn, or altered. Copies or digital photos are not accepted.
Example Scenarios
Example 1: A Student on OPT
Maria, an international student in the United States 🇺🇸, is on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and has an EAD card. After May 7, 2025, she plans to fly from New York to California for a summer internship. She has not applied for a REAL ID but her EAD card is still valid. Maria will be able to board her domestic flight with her EAD card.
Example 2: A Worker Waiting for a Green Card
Ahmed is in the United States 🇺🇸 working while waiting for his green card. His EAD card is his main ID. He does not have a REAL ID driver’s license. He can use his EAD card for any domestic flight as long as it is valid and not expired.
Example 3: Family with Different Documents
A family plans a vacation within the United States 🇺🇸. The parents have REAL ID-compliant licenses, one child has a U.S. passport, and the other, an international student, has a valid EAD card. Each can use their individual legal ID without issues.
Keeping Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) Valid
Since the EAD card serves a dual role (work authorization and acceptable photo ID), you should always:
- Check your card’s expiration date well before your planned trip.
- Start the renewal process early if your card will expire soon.
- Carry your original, physical EAD card—photocopies or receipts will not work.
- Keep your EAD card in a safe place to avoid loss or damage.
If you need to renew, go to the official USCIS Form I-765 page for instructions.
Special Notes on REAL ID and Air Travel
While the REAL ID is meant to establish stronger security features for state-issued licenses, its main use is for federal purposes, especially travel by air and entry to certain secure facilities.
After May 7, 2025, anyone who does not have a REAL ID must have another approved federal identification for these purposes. The EAD card is one such document that meets this standard for air travel, according to VisaVerge.com’s investigation.
Common Misconceptions
- Myth: Only U.S. citizens can use TSA security.
Fact: Any person with a valid, accepted government-issued photo ID, such as an EAD card, green card, or passport, can pass through TSA security for domestic flights. - Myth: Only a REAL ID is accepted at airport checkpoints.
Fact: While the REAL ID is one option, several other government-issued IDs, including the EAD card, are also accepted. - Myth: Temporary paper versions of the EAD card can be used at the airport.
Fact: The TSA does not accept temporary or paper IDs, even if issued by USCIS, unless a special policy is in place.
Final Key Points and Next Steps
- Starting May 7, 2025, you can use an unexpired EAD card (Form I-766) for domestic air travel in the United States 🇺🇸 if you do not have a REAL ID.
- Always check your card’s validity and travel with the original version.
- Keep up with TSA and DHS updates in case policies change.
- Bring a backup form of ID if you are unsure or if your card is close to expiring.
For more help, visit the official TSA identification page or ask your local immigration office. Staying informed can help you avoid problems and make your travel experience smoother.
Learn Today
Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) → A photo ID issued by USCIS allowing certain foreign nationals to work legally in the United States.
REAL ID → A federally-compliant driver’s license or state ID with enhanced security features required for certain federal purposes, including air travel.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency responsible for processing immigration and work authorization documents.
TSA → Transportation Security Administration, responsible for airport security and approving which IDs are valid for domestic flights.
Form I-766 → The official USCIS designation for the Employment Authorization Document, issued to eligible noncitizens for work and identification.
This Article in a Nutshell
A valid, unexpired EAD card will remain an approved ID for flying domestically in the US after May 7, 2025. Travelers do not need REAL ID if carrying an EAD card. Expired or temporary cards are not accepted, so renewal and original documentation are essential for uninterrupted travel through airport security checkpoints.
— By VisaVerge.com
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