An EAD card — formally called an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) — is a work permit issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to noncitizens who are authorized to work in the United States. If an employee hands you an EAD for their Form I-9, you need to know what it is, where the numbers are, and exactly how to record it. The EAD has two different identification numbers on the front of the card, and employers mix them up constantly.
This guide covers what an EAD card is, who gets one, where every number is on the card, how it differs from a green card, and exactly how it works in Section 1, Section 2, and E-Verify. If you are staring at an EAD card right now trying to figure out which number goes where on the I-9, you are in the right place.
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a card issued by USCIS that proves a noncitizen is authorized to work in the United States. The official form number is Form I-766. It is commonly called an EAD card, EAD, or work permit.
The EAD is a List A document on Form I-9, which means it establishes both identity and employment authorization on its own. When an employee presents an EAD, you do not need to ask for any List B or List C documents — the EAD satisfies both requirements by itself.
Unlike a green card, the EAD does not grant permanent status. It authorizes employment for a specific period of time, and when it expires, the employee's work authorization may also expire (depending on their underlying immigration status). This makes reverification a critical step — one that employers frequently get wrong.
USCIS issues EADs to noncitizens who have temporary work authorization but are not lawful permanent residents. Common categories include:
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) do not receive EADs — they already have permanent work authorization through their green card. U.S. citizens and nationals also do not need an EAD.
Each EAD has a category code printed on the front (for example, C08, C09, C10, A05). This code identifies the specific immigration basis for the person's work authorization. The full list of category codes is maintained by USCIS at uscis.gov/eadautoextend.
The EAD has two identification numbers, and both appear on the front of the card. This is different from a green card, where the A-Number is on the front and the Document Number is on the back. On an EAD, you have to read the labels carefully to tell them apart — on current card designs, they are both right there on the same side.
| Number | Where on the Card | What It Identifies | Where on I-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Number (USCIS#) | Front of card, labeled "USCIS#" | The person. Permanent — never changes. | Section 1 (employee) |
| Card Number | Front of card, separate from the USCIS# | The physical card. Changes when a new card is issued. | Section 2 (employer) |
Tip: If the number starts with the letter "A" followed by 7 to 9 digits, that is the A-Number — it goes in Section 1 (employee fills this in). The Card Number is a separate alphanumeric code, also on the front on current card designs — that is what the employer records in Section 2. Read the labels on the card. For more on the A-Number, see our Alien Registration Number for I-9 guide.
Employees and employers often confuse EADs and green cards. Both are USCIS-issued cards that appear on the I-9 List A, but they represent very different immigration statuses and have different rules.
| EAD (Form I-766) | Green Card (Form I-551) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it grants | Temporary work authorization | Permanent resident status |
| Who gets it | Asylees, refugees, TPS holders, OPT students, DACA recipients, adjustment applicants, others | Lawful permanent residents |
| I-9 List | List A, #4 | List A, #2 |
| Section 1 status | "An alien authorized to work" | "A lawful permanent resident" |
| Section 2 doc number | Card Number (front of card) | Document Number (back of card) |
| E-Verify photo match | Yes — required | Yes — required |
| Reverification needed? | Yes — when the EAD expires | No — never reverify a green card |
| Expired card accepted? | Only if auto-extension applies | Yes — always accepted |
The key difference for employers: When a green card expires, you do nothing — permanent resident status does not expire, and you may never reverify. When an EAD expires, you must reverify the employee's work authorization. Getting this wrong in either direction is a compliance violation. For the full green card guide, see our Green Card Number for I-9 article.
An employee with an EAD selects "An alien authorized to work" in Section 1 (Box 4). They must then provide:
Most EAD holders will enter their A-Number or USCIS Number, since it appears directly on the EAD card. Either format is acceptable — A-123456789 or 123456789.
When an employee presents an EAD, the employer examines the card and records the following in the List A column of Section 2:
| Section 2 Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Document Title | "Employment Authorization Document" or "Form I-766" or "EAD" |
| Issuing Authority | "USCIS" or "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" |
| Document Number | The Card Number from the front of the card — not the A-Number |
| Expiration Date | The "Card Expires" date from the front of the card (or the auto-extension date if applicable) |
Critical: Both the A-Number and the Card Number appear on the front of the EAD. Read the labels carefully. The Card Number goes in the Section 2 Document Number field. The A-Number does not — it belongs in Section 1 only. For a full guide on issuing authorities for all I-9 documents, see our Issuing Authority on I-9 reference.
If your company participates in E-Verify, the system will display a photo when an employee presents an EAD. You must compare the photo E-Verify displays to the photo on the physical EAD card the employee presented, and to the employee standing in front of you. This is a required step — not optional.
When creating the E-Verify case, you enter the employee's A-Number or USCIS Number from the front of the card — the same number the employee entered in Section 1. Do not enter the Card Number in the E-Verify A-Number field.
Not sure which number goes where? Our compliance team has 27+ years of I-9 and E-Verify expertise. We review documents, answer questions, and walk you through every section — including remote verification via video call for distributed teams. Schedule a free compliance call.
Unlike a green card, you must reverify an employee when their EAD expires. The employer should initiate reverification on or before the expiration date shown on the EAD (or the auto-extension expiration date, if applicable). The employee must present a document showing continued employment authorization — which may be a new EAD, a different List A document, or a List C document. For background on EAD validity periods, see our USCIS EAD Validity guide.
Before October 30, 2025, employees who timely filed an EAD renewal application under certain eligible category codes received an automatic extension of up to 540 days beyond the EAD's expiration date. During the extension period, the expired EAD combined with the Form I-797C receipt notice served as a valid List A document for Form I-9.
This changed on October 30, 2025. Employees who file their EAD renewal applications on or after October 30, 2025, are not eligible for an automatic extension of their employment authorization or EAD. This is a significant change that affects reverification timing for many employers.
For employees who filed before October 30, 2025, the automatic extension remains valid until the earlier of: (1) the expiration of the 540-day extension period, or (2) the date USCIS approves or denies the renewal application. Employers should record the auto-extension expiration date in the Section 2 expiration field. For the full breakdown, see our Auto-Extension Compliance Guide.
If an employee has lost, stolen, or damaged their EAD and has applied for a replacement, they may present a receipt for the replacement document. This receipt is valid for 90 days from the date of hire (or in the case of reverification, 90 days from the date employment authorization expired). Within that 90-day period, the employee must present the actual replacement EAD.
Important: A receipt for an initial EAD application is not acceptable. Receipts are only valid for replacement EADs (lost, stolen, or damaged cards). Do not accept a receipt from someone who has never had an EAD before — that is not a valid I-9 receipt.
This is the most common EAD error on the I-9. The employer sees the A-Number on the front of the card and writes it in the Section 2 Document Number field. But Section 2 requires the Card Number, not the A-Number. On an EAD, both numbers appear on the front of the card — making this mistake even easier than on a green card, where the two numbers are on opposite sides.
How to tell them apart: If the number starts with "A" followed by 7 to 9 digits, it is the A-Number (Section 1, employee enters). The Card Number is the other alphanumeric code on the front — that is what the employer records in Section 2.
"The EAD is where we see the most Document Number mistakes, because both the A-Number and the Card Number are right there on the front of the card," says Patricia, Director of Compliance at i9 Intelligence. "On a green card, at least the two numbers are on different sides — front and back. On an EAD, they're inches apart. You have to read the labels, not just grab the first number you see."
Some employers confuse EAD rules with green card rules. With a green card, you never reverify — permanent resident status does not expire. But an EAD grants temporary work authorization. When the EAD expires, you must reverify the employee's employment authorization. Failure to reverify is a substantive I-9 violation that can result in penalties.
Reverification should happen on or before the expiration date of the EAD (or the auto-extension expiration date). Do not reverify months in advance — this is unnecessary and can raise anti-discrimination concerns. Do not wait until after the expiration date — at that point, the employee does not have valid work authorization on file.
An EAD is a List A document. It establishes both identity and employment authorization by itself. If an employee presents a valid EAD, do not ask for a driver's license, Social Security card, or any other document. Requesting additional documents when a valid List A document has been presented may constitute document abuse under the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA Section 274B).
Before October 30, 2025, many EAD holders could get an automatic 540-day extension by filing a timely renewal. After October 30, 2025, new EAD renewal applications are not eligible for automatic extensions. Employers who assume the old rules still apply risk accepting expired EADs that are no longer automatically extended. Always verify whether the employee's renewal was filed before or after the cutoff date.
An EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is a work permit issued by USCIS to noncitizens who are authorized to work in the United States. It is officially called Form I-766. The EAD is a List A document on Form I-9, meaning it establishes both identity and employment authorization on its own.
No. An EAD grants temporary work authorization to noncitizens such as asylum applicants, TPS holders, and OPT students. A green card (Form I-551) grants permanent resident status. The two cards have different rules on Form I-9 — most importantly, you must reverify when an EAD expires but you may never reverify a green card. For the full comparison, see our Green Card Number for I-9 guide.
An EAD (Form I-766) is List A, document #4 on Form I-9. List A documents establish both identity and employment authorization, so no additional documents are needed. Do not ask for a List B or List C document when an employee presents a valid EAD.
You must reverify the employee's employment authorization on or before the EAD's expiration date. The employee needs to present a document showing continued work authorization — this could be a new EAD, another List A document, or a List C document. Record the new document information in Supplement B (formerly Section 3) of Form I-9. If the employee filed for renewal before October 30, 2025, check whether an automatic extension applies.
Yes — the Card Number (not the A-Number) goes in the Document Number field in Section 2. Both numbers appear on the front of the EAD, so read the labels carefully. The A-Number (labeled "USCIS#") belongs in Section 1, filled in by the employee. The Card Number is what the employer records in Section 2.
If you have questions about EAD cards, reverification, or any other I-9 document question, our compliance team is here. We have handled hundreds of thousands of I-9s and know exactly how to resolve document questions quickly.
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This article reflects USCIS guidance current as of March 2026. Form I-9 procedures and document requirements may change — particularly automatic extension rules, which were significantly altered effective October 30, 2025. Check uscis.gov/i-9 and the USCIS Handbook for Employers (M-274) for the latest updates. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your organization.
