What Does the Category Code on Your Work Permit Mean?
A Guide to USCIS EAD Codes
Understanding C09, C08, C11, A05, A12, C19, and other employment authorization categories in the United States.
Updated October 25, 2026
If you have a U.S. work permit, you may have noticed a combination of letters and numbers printed next to the word “Category” on your card.
It might say C09, C08, C11, A05, A12, C19, or another combination.
What does that code mean? Why does your work permit show a different category from someone else’s? And what does it tell you about your immigration situation?
The answer is important because not all work permits are issued for the same immigration reason.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) under different legal classifications. The category printed on the card identifies the basis for which employment authorization was issued.
Understanding that code can help you recognize the immigration benefit supporting your work authorization and determine which eligibility and documentation requirements may apply.
What Is an EAD Category Code?
An Employment Authorization Document, commonly called a work permit, is a document issued by USCIS as evidence that a person is authorized to work in the United States.
The current card is known as Form I-766.
Each EAD includes an eligibility category that identifies the legal basis for the authorization.
For example:
- C09: Certain individuals with a pending adjustment-of-status application.
- C08: Eligible applicants with pending asylum applications.
- A05: Individuals who have already been granted asylum.
- C11: Certain individuals granted immigration parole.
- A12: Individuals granted Temporary Protected Status.
These categories are based on federal immigration law and regulations, including 8 CFR § 274a.12.
On Form I-765, an eligibility category is generally written in parentheses, such as (c)(9). On the EAD itself, it usually appears as C09.
The code does not indicate your nationality, occupation, employer, or likelihood of receiving a green card. It identifies the employment-authorization classification used by USCIS.
Where Is the Category Code on Your Work Permit?
Look at the front of your Employment Authorization Document.
The field labeled “Category” identifies the classification under which your EAD was issued.
You will also see information such as your name, identifying number, and the document’s expiration date.
The category code is different from your USCIS receipt number, which identifies a particular application or petition.
When reviewing your immigration documents, make sure you are looking at the EAD category rather than a receipt number or visa classification.
What Do the Letters A and C Mean?
Most commonly encountered EAD category codes begin with A or C. These letters refer to different regulatory groups.
A Categories: Employment Authorization Connected to an Existing Immigration Status
Many A-category classifications concern people whose underlying immigration status or designation provides employment authorization.
Examples include refugees (A03), people granted asylum (A05), and people granted TPS (A12).
Some people in these categories are authorized to work based on their immigration status, even without a currently unexpired EAD.
However, documentation requirements vary. Certain individuals must obtain an EAD as evidence of employment authorization.
C Categories: Employment Authorization That Generally Requires an Application
C categories generally identify individuals who must request employment authorization and receive approval before working under that classification.
Examples include pending asylum applicants (C08), certain adjustment-of-status applicants (C09), and certain parolees (C11).
For these individuals, having a pending immigration case does not automatically provide permission to work.
Important: The letter alone does not establish all the conditions of employment authorization. The person’s immigration classification and applicable legal requirements must also be considered.
USCIS EAD Category Codes: Quick Reference
The following tables explain common EAD categories. They are intended as a practical reference, not an exhaustive list of every classification recognized by USCIS.
Green Cards, Asylum, TPS, and Humanitarian Categories
| EAD Code | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| C09 | Pending adjustment of status | Certain individuals with a pending Form I-485 application |
| C08 | Pending asylum | Eligible individuals whose asylum applications remain pending |
| A05 | Asylum granted | Individuals who have been granted asylum |
| A03 | Refugee | Individuals admitted as refugees |
| A10 | Withholding of removal | Individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal |
| A12 | TPS granted | Individuals granted Temporary Protected Status |
| C19 | TPS applicant | Certain individuals applying for TPS who qualify for employment authorization |
| C11 | Immigration parole | Certain individuals granted humanitarian or significant-public-benefit parole |
| C14 | Deferred action | Individuals granted qualifying deferred action who meet employment-authorization requirements |
| C33 | DACA | Qualifying recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals |
| C10 | Certain removal-relief applications | Applicants for cancellation of removal, suspension of deportation, or qualifying NACARA relief |
| C18 | Final removal order and supervision | Certain individuals with final removal orders who qualify for discretionary employment authorization |
| C31 | Approved VAWA self-petition | Certain individuals with approved VAWA self-petitions |
T Visas, U Visas, and Related Protections
| EAD Code | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A16 | T-1 nonimmigrant | Principal beneficiary granted T nonimmigrant status |
| C25 | T visa family member | Certain qualifying derivatives granted T nonimmigrant status |
| C40 | T visa bona fide determination | Certain applicants and eligible family members with pending, bona fide T applications |
| A19 | U-1 nonimmigrant | Principal beneficiary granted U nonimmigrant status |
| A20 | U visa family member | Certain qualifying derivatives granted U nonimmigrant status |
Students, Nonimmigrant Spouses, and Employment-Based Categories
| EAD Code | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| C03A | Pre-completion OPT | Eligible F-1 students authorized for OPT before completing their studies |
| C03B | Post-completion OPT | Eligible F-1 students authorized for OPT after completing their studies |
| C03C | STEM OPT extension | Eligible F-1 students authorized for a STEM OPT extension |
| C05 | J-2 dependent | Eligible spouses and minor children of J-1 exchange visitors |
| A17 | E nonimmigrant spouse | Certain qualifying spouses of E nonimmigrants |
| A18 | L-2 spouse | Certain qualifying spouses of L-1 nonimmigrants |
| C26 | H-4 spouse | Certain eligible spouses of H-1B workers |
| C35 | Employment-based beneficiary | Certain beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant petitions who qualify under compelling-circumstances provisions |
| C36 | Dependent of C35 beneficiary | Certain qualifying spouses and children of C35 beneficiaries |
Some of these classifications have additional eligibility requirements. Having the underlying immigration classification or a pending petition does not necessarily establish eligibility for the EAD listed.
C09: Work Authorization While a Green Card Application Is Pending
Category C09 is commonly associated with adjustment-of-status applicants.
For example, an eligible person applying for a marriage-based green card may submit Form I-485 to request lawful permanent residence and Form I-765 to request employment authorization while the adjustment application is pending.
If USCIS approves the employment-authorization application, the person may receive a C09 EAD.
A C09 work permit does not mean the green card application has been approved.
It identifies employment authorization based on the qualifying pending adjustment application.
Does Every Pending I-485 Applicant Use C09?
No.
The immigration provision under which the person applies for adjustment matters.
For example, a refugee applying for adjustment under INA § 209 generally uses A03, while someone granted asylum who adjusts under the same statutory section generally uses A05.
USCIS specifically distinguishes these applicants from individuals requesting C09 employment authorization based on adjustment under INA § 245.
The correct category must reflect the applicant’s actual eligibility.
C08 vs. A05: Pending Asylum and Approved Asylum
These codes represent two different stages of the asylum process.
C08 — Asylum Application Pending
C08 is associated with eligible individuals who have filed asylum applications that remain pending.
Applicants must satisfy the applicable requirements before employment authorization can be granted.
Receiving a C08 EAD does not mean asylum has been approved.
A05 — Asylum Granted
A05 identifies individuals who have already been granted asylum.
People granted asylum are generally authorized to work based on their asylee status.
An EAD provides evidence of that authorization.
The distinction: C08 generally reflects qualifying employment authorization while asylum remains pending. A05 reflects employment authorization associated with asylum already being granted.
A12 vs. C19: Temporary Protected Status
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may be available to qualifying individuals from countries designated by DHS, subject to applicable requirements.
Two EAD categories frequently appear in TPS cases.
A12 — TPS Granted
This code generally identifies a person who has been granted TPS.
C19 — TPS Application
This code identifies certain TPS applicants who qualify for employment authorization under the applicable pending-application provisions.
Although the categories differ, both may appear on TPS-related employment documents.
TPS eligibility and employment authorization are affected by country-specific designations, government notices, and, in some cases, federal court decisions.
For current requirements, consult the official USCIS Temporary Protected Status information.
C11: Employment Authorization Based on Immigration Parole
C11 is associated with certain individuals granted immigration parole for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Parole generally permits a person to be physically present in the United States for a specified period under applicable conditions.
However, parole is not the same as admission in a nonimmigrant status or approval for permanent residence.
For many parolees, employment authorization requires a separate application and USCIS approval.
An important distinction for people with immigration release documents: Form I-220A, Order of Release on Recognizance, is not itself a grant of parole under INA § 212(d)(5) and does not automatically qualify someone for a C11 EAD.
The person’s underlying immigration documents must be reviewed to determine the correct employment-authorization category.
C14 vs. C33: Deferred Action and DACA
Both categories involve deferred action, but they represent different legal circumstances.
C14 — Deferred Action
C14 generally applies to individuals granted qualifying deferred action who meet the requirements for employment authorization, including applicable economic-necessity requirements.
C33 — DACA
C33 applies to individuals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals who qualify for employment authorization.
DACA is a specific program with separate rules and procedures. Neither C14 nor C33, by itself, establishes lawful permanent resident status.
Applicants seeking information about DACA should consult the official USCIS DACA page, including updates related to federal litigation.
C10, C18, and A10: Categories Connected to Removal Proceedings
These three codes identify substantially different immigration circumstances.
C10 may apply to certain individuals with pending applications for cancellation of removal, suspension of deportation, or qualifying NACARA relief.
C18 concerns certain individuals with final removal orders who qualify for employment authorization under applicable conditions, such as an order of supervision and additional regulatory requirements.
A10 identifies individuals who have already been granted withholding of removal or deportation.
The important distinction is that a pending application for relief, an order of supervision, and a grant of withholding of removal are not equivalent immigration outcomes.
The EAD category identifies the employment-authorization basis; it does not, by itself, resolve every issue concerning removal proceedings.
C31: Approved VAWA Self-Petitions
C31 is associated with certain individuals whose self-petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) have been approved.
VAWA provides qualifying individuals with certain immigration protections that do not require an abusive family member to petition on their behalf.
A C31 EAD reflects employment authorization associated with an approved qualifying self-petition.
Approval of a VAWA self-petition does not automatically mean the applicant has already become a lawful permanent resident.
An eligible individual may also qualify for employment authorization through another category, depending on their circumstances.
T Visa and U Visa Work Authorization Codes
T and U classifications are available to certain qualifying victims of human trafficking and specified criminal activity, respectively.
Their employment-authorization codes distinguish between different immigration benefits and stages.
For example:
A16 identifies a principal beneficiary granted T-1 status.
C25 identifies certain qualifying family members granted derivative T nonimmigrant status.
C40 identifies certain individuals with pending, bona fide T applications who qualify for employment authorization under the applicable process.
A19 identifies a principal beneficiary granted U-1 nonimmigrant status.
A20 identifies qualifying derivative U nonimmigrants.
Some pending U visa applicants may instead qualify for employment authorization through deferred action under C14, depending on the applicable procedures.
A pending T or U application does not automatically mean that employment authorization has been granted.
Student Work Authorization: C03A, C03B, and C03C
F-1 international students may qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT) related to their studies.
The EAD code identifies the type of practical training authorization.
C03A: Pre-completion OPT.
C03B: Post-completion OPT.
C03C: Qualifying STEM OPT extension.
These categories have different eligibility conditions and employment restrictions.
Not all employment permitted for F-1 students requires an EAD. Certain on-campus employment and curricular practical training follow separate authorization rules.
EAD Categories for Certain Nonimmigrant Spouses
Some spouses of temporary workers qualify for employment authorization through their dependent immigration classification.
A17: Certain qualifying spouses of E nonimmigrants.
A18: Certain qualifying spouses of L-1 nonimmigrants.
C26: Certain eligible spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants in H-4 status.
An important difference applies:
Qualifying E and L dependent spouses may be authorized to work incident to their status and may not need a separate EAD when they have acceptable documentation, such as an appropriately annotated Form I-94.
By contrast, H-4 status alone does not generally authorize employment. Eligible H-4 spouses must meet additional requirements and obtain employment authorization under C26 before working on that basis.
C35 and C36: Certain Employment-Based Immigration Beneficiaries
These categories apply in specific employment-based immigration circumstances.
C35 identifies certain principal beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant petitions who satisfy the requirements for employment authorization based on compelling circumstances.
C36 identifies certain qualifying spouses and children of those principal beneficiaries.
An approved Form I-140 petition alone does not automatically establish eligibility for these categories.
Additional regulatory requirements apply.
What Does C09P Mean?
Some EADs have been issued as combination documents providing both employment authorization and advance parole.
The designation C09P has been associated with such adjustment-based combination documents.
However, a standard C09 EAD does not automatically authorize international travel.
For a combination card, check whether the document actually includes the advance parole endorsement, such as “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole.”
Employment authorization and permission to seek parole into the United States after international travel are separate matters.
Can Your EAD Category Change?
Yes. A person’s employment-authorization category may change when their immigration circumstances change.
For example, someone with a pending asylum application may initially qualify for a C08 EAD. If asylum is later granted, the person may qualify for an A05 EAD instead.
Likewise, someone previously authorized to work under one category might later qualify for C09 employment authorization after properly filing an eligible adjustment-of-status application.
However, filing a new immigration application does not automatically change the code printed on an existing EAD.
An EAD reflects the classification under which that document was issued. A person’s current immigration situation should be assessed using the complete record, not the code alone.
Does Your EAD Code Prove Your Immigration Status?
Not necessarily.
An EAD provides evidence of employment authorization under a particular category.
It does not establish every aspect of the holder’s current immigration status.
For example:
- A C08 EAD does not prove asylum was granted.
- A C09 EAD does not prove a green card was approved.
- A C11 EAD does not confer permanent residence.
- A C33 EAD does not establish lawful immigration status.
Some individuals may also have valid employment authorization based on their status without needing an EAD.
The category code is a useful starting point, but it does not replace reviewing the person’s immigration documents and circumstances.
Does Your EAD Category Affect Renewal Costs and Processing Times?
Yes. Your EAD category can affect renewal eligibility, filing fees, required documents, and the rules governing employment authorization while a renewal application is pending.
USCIS processing times also vary by category and workload. Not every applicant qualifies for an automatic extension of employment authorization.
Before renewing, applicants should verify the current requirements using the USCIS Form I-765 page, the official fee schedule, and the USCIS processing-times tool.
A separate guide will explain work-permit renewal fees, filing timelines, processing delays, and the applicable extension rules in greater detail.
Understanding the Code on Your Work Permit
The letters and numbers printed on your Employment Authorization Document identify the basis for which USCIS issued employment authorization.
Whether your EAD shows C09, C08, A05, C11, A12, C19, or another classification, the code can help you understand how your work authorization relates to your immigration circumstances.
The most important distinction is that employment authorization and immigration status are not always the same thing.
Official Government References
Martha L. Arias, Esq.
Immigration Law Attorney
If you have questions about your work-permit category or how changes in your immigration case may affect your authorization to work, call my office in Miami. Arias Villa, PLLC assists businesses, individuals and families with U.S. immigration matters.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about U.S. immigration and employment-authorization classifications. It does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility, documentation requirements, and the legal consequences of an immigration classification depend on individual circumstances and current law. Reading this article or contacting Arias Villa, PLLC does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
