EAD renewal is a calendar discipline. Employers read the plastic card and Form I-9 rules, not your assumption that USCIS will mail a replacement in time.
When should you file Form I-765 again?
Check the category code on your current EAD and the Form I-765 instructions for eligibility to renew. Many categories allow filing up to 180 days before expiration. File through a USCIS online account when available or by mail with photos, fees, and supporting evidence listed for your code.
If USCIS publishes an automatic extension rule for your category, a timely filed renewal may extend work authorization for a defined period while the card shows an expired date. Your employer must keep copies of the expired card, renewal receipt notice, and the same Form I-9 documentation rules HR follows: Complete Form I-9.
What else should you update in parallel?
Renewals mail to the address on file. Update your address with USCIS within 10 days of moving so biometrics and card delivery do not miss you. Confirm underlying status on Check your I-94; some workers are authorized by visa class without an EAD and should not file I-765 at all: Apply for work authorization.
If your name changed, coordinate Social Security Administration updates after USCIS approves the new card so payroll matches.
Common misconceptions
“My H-1B approval means I need an EAD renewal every two years” fails for many principal H-1B workers. They often work under status, not a separate EAD.
“USCIS received my package so I can ignore the expired card date” also fails unless a published auto-extension rule covers your category and filing timing.
Summary
Diary EAD expiry months ahead, file Form I-765 in the early-filing window, and give HR the receipt plus any auto-extension proof. Keep USCIS address data current so the replacement card reaches your mailbox.
Sources
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