Form I-765WS is a worksheet to be used by EAD (work permit) applicants that are also filing under one of the following eligibility categories:
- Deferred Action
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
If you are not applying for work authorization under one of these two eligibility categories, you do not need to complete and file Form I-765WS.
If you do fall into one of these two eligibility categories, complete Form I-765WS and file it with Form I-765. USCIS requires it as a part of your application.
RECOMMENDED: My Work Permit Was Lost or Stolen
Mistakes on your I-765 application can cause costly delays or a denial.
Prepare your I-765 correctly and affordably with CitizenPath. The attorney-reviewed software guides you through the application and provides help to answer questions like this one. And personalized filing instructions help you to file your application today knowing that you did everything right! No credit card or signup required to get started. Try it before you buy it >>What counts as income on Form I-765WS?
Current annual income is the total of your earnings within the last 12 months. This includes money earned “under the table” in cash. If family members helped support you, you should add a value for the support you received. Scholarships that provide you with money for academic purposes do not count as income. On the other hand, scholarships that provide for living expenses do count as income.
Additionally, money that is gifted to you in a lump sum that you keep in your savings account is an asset. You do not need to count it as income.
How to Explain Economic Need
First, it’s not mandatory to provide an explanation. This is an optional field. USCIS wants to determine whether you have an economic need in order to warrant the issuance of a work permit, also known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). People work for many reasons so there are many valid answers. It isn’t necessary to prove that you are going into poverty – you only need to demonstrate that you have a need. Even if you are getting by (income is greater than expenses), you may need to work because:
- Your parents currently provide for most/all of your expenses, and you would like to begin contributing toward your own costs.
- You would like to save for college or want to earn additional income so that you can study full-time.
- You are saving for a used car.
- You want to save for an emergency fund for healthcare.
- You expect to graduate someday and want to become self-sufficient.
These are just some examples of valid answers. Use the space provided on Form I-765WS to describe your situation and economic need.