If you need to renew your Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) advises submitting your renewal request as early as possible.
USCIS recommends filing your DACA renewal request 150 to 120 days (four to five months) before your current DACA approval notice and employment authorization document (EAD) expire. Submitting within this timeframe reduces the risk of your DACA and employment authorization expiring before USCIS processes your renewal. Filing earlier than 150 days before expiration does not expedite the decision process.
Filing online offers benefits such as tracking your case, responding to requests for evidence electronically, and communicating with USCIS through your online account, which may also save you money.
Ensure your request is complete by using the most recent versions of Form I-821D, Form I-765, and the Form I-765 Worksheet if submitting a paper form. As of April 1, 2024, the Form I-765 filing fee is $520 for paper forms and $470 for online submissions, while the Form I-821D filing fee remains $85. Separate checks or money orders should be included if filing by paper.
Check USCIS’ processing times for Form I-821D and Form I-765 on their website. USCIS will not adjudicate your DACA-based Form I-765 until a decision is made on your Form I-821D renewal request. In emergencies or unforeseen circumstances, you may request expedited processing by following the guidelines on USCIS’ Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances page.
DACA renewals and the associated EAD renewals represent a significant workload for USCIS. Filing within the recommended timeframe reduces the risk of your current DACA and employment authorization expiring before you receive a decision on your renewal request.
If you file more than one year after your current DACA expires, USCIS considers it an initial request and not a renewal. Although USCIS is accepting initial DACA requests, recent court rulings prevent USCIS from approving them at this time. Therefore, initial requests can be submitted by mail but will not be adjudicated until further notice.
Source: https://www.imwong.com/2024/05/18/usics-urges-early-daca-renewal-to-avoid-gaps-in-status-and-work-authorization/
