The “clock” (EAD Clock or Asylum Clock) is a tracking tool used by USCIS and the Immigration Court to count the number of days that have passed since you filed your asylum application (Form I-589).
To apply for a work permit under category (c)(8), you must have 150 days on the clock.
When you reach 150 days, you may file your application for employment authorization. When you reach 180 days, you may receive the work permit. Do not confuse the 180-day rule with the 150-day rule: you cannot receive a work permit before 180 days, but you can file 30 days earlier - meaning 150 days after USCIS or the Court accepts/receives your Form I-589.
All calendar days are counted, including weekends and holidays.
How do you check how many days have passed?
If you filed Form I-589 with USCIS, you cannot check the clock by phone or on a public website. You must count 150 days yourself starting from the Received Date of the I-589. The Received Date appears on your Form I-797C Receipt Notice, which you receive online or by mail.
If you filed Form I-589 with the Immigration Court, you will not receive an I-797C receipt notice. Instead, you can check the court clock by calling +1 800 898 7180:
- Press 1 twice
- Enter your A-Number
- Press 1 twice again
- After the system reads the date, press 2 - you will hear how many days have passed since the I-589 filing
Why is there no clock?
There are several possible reasons. The most common are:
- You filed Form I-589 with USCIS, not with the Court
- The Court did not accept your Form I-589
- The court clerk forgot to start the clock
Why does the clock show fewer days than it should?
If the clock is behind by a few days or appears to “freeze,” that can be normal. It can also mean your clock was stopped.
Why can the clock be stopped?
The EAD clock can be stopped if:
- You moved and transferred your case to a court in another city/state
- You missed a biometrics appointment
- You requested to reschedule the Master hearing because you were not ready
- You came to court without an attorney
- You did not appear for court or for an interview
- You delay the process in other ways
What should you do?
If the clock is not started (No clock), contact the court clerk’s office, ask for the reason, request that they start the clock, and request a copy of the first page of your Form I-589 with the court’s acceptance stamp and acceptance date.
If the clock is stopped, you must resolve the reason for the stop. If you transferred your case to another court, the clock will most likely remain stopped until the next hearing.
If you missed biometrics, you should reschedule as soon as possible. The time you “lost” between biometrics appointments is frozen and deducted.
If you cannot figure out why your clock is stopped, seek help from specialists.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Translations are provided for convenience and may contain errors or omissions. For guidance on your specific situation, always consult official sources or a qualified attorney.
