DACA renewal calculator — when to file + cost (2026)
Find the best time to file your DACA renewal based on your EAD expiration date. Total cost $605 by mail / $555 online, optimal filing window 120–150 days before expiration, and the 2025 end of EAD auto-extension.
Last verified: 2026-06-04 ·
USCIS fees current 2024-2026
DACA renewal cost
I-821D (DACA renewal): $85
I-765 (EAD, work authorization): $520 paper · $470 online (where available)
Biometrics (I-765): $0 (included in the I-765 fee)
Total — paper (mailed):$605 ($85 + $520)
Total — online (where available):$555 ($85 + $470)
Most DACA renewals are mailed (Form I-821D is filed on paper), so $605 is the typical total. Fees can change. Always verify at uscis.gov/i-821d.
Critical deadlines to remember
Before 150 days pre-expiration: USCIS may reject as premature
150-120 days pre-expiration: ✅ USCIS-recommended optimal window
120-0 days pre-expiration: Can still file but risk of work authorization gap
After expiration: Loses DACA automatically. Must stop working immediately. Late renewal possible but special processes.
Enter your current EAD expiration date in the calculator above to see your optimal filing window and the total cost. Below is how the timing and fees work — and an important 2025 change you need to know.
⚠️ EAD no longer auto-extends (effective October 30, 2025)
Before October 30, 2025: timely filing Form I-765 to renew your EAD automatically extended it for up to 540 days, so you could keep working while waiting.
After October 30, 2025: that automatic extension was removed. If your EAD expires before USCIS approves your renewal, you must stop working until the new card arrives. (Federal Register 2025-19702)
This affects DACA (C-33), TPS (A-12/C-19), asylum applicants (C-8), and many other EAD categories. The fix: file early — ideally 6 months before expiration — and monitor your case at USCIS Case Status.
How DACA renewal timing works
USCIS recommends filing 120–150 days before your DACA/EAD expires.
Filing too early (more than 150 days out) can lead to rejection; filing too late risks a gap in work authorization.
The calculator above takes your expiration date and shows the window — and flags if you’re early, on time, or late.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal advice. USCIS fees and rules change — verify on USCIS.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case.
Frequently asked questions
When should I file my DACA renewal?+
USCIS recommends filing 120 to 150 days (about 4–5 months) before your current DACA/EAD expires. Because the 540-day automatic EAD extension ended on October 30, 2025, many advocates now suggest filing even earlier — 6 months ahead — so a processing delay doesn’t leave you without work authorization. Use the calculator above with your EAD expiration date.
How much does DACA renewal cost?+
The total USCIS fee is $605 by mail or $555 online — that’s Form I-821D ($85) plus Form I-765 for the work permit ($520 by mail / $470 online). Biometrics are included. Fee-waiver options are very limited for DACA; some legal-aid organizations help with the cost.
What happens if my EAD expires before USCIS approves my renewal?+
As of October 30, 2025, a timely-filed renewal no longer automatically extends your EAD. If your current EAD expires before the renewal is approved, you must stop working until you receive the new one — and an employer can let you go. That’s why filing early now matters more than ever.
Can I still renew if my DACA already expired?+
If your DACA lapsed less than one year ago, you generally file a renewal. If it has been expired for more than a year (or was terminated), you may have to file as if it were a new request, which is more complex and uncertain — talk to an immigration attorney first.
Does having DACA let me travel outside the US?+
No. DACA and the EAD do not authorize international travel. To travel and re-enter, you would need separate advance parole (Form I-131), which is granted only for specific reasons and carries risk — consult an attorney before making any travel plans.