DACA renewal timeline for 2026.

USCIS continues to accept and process DACA renewal requests and related employment authorization under current court orders, while initial requests are accepted but not processed. As of 2026, DACA remains in effect under ongoing federal court orders that require USCIS to accept and process renewal applications from current and recently expired DACA recipients. First-time DACA applications are accepted by USCIS but are not being adjudicated while litigation continues. This means that if you have never had DACA before, or if your DACA expired more than one year ago, you can submit the application but USCIS will not process it until the court orders change.

The DACA renewal process requires filing three forms together: Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and Form I-765WS (Worksheet). The I-821D is the core application for deferred action, while the I-765 requests the employment authorization document (EAD) that allows you to work lawfully in the US. The I-765WS calculates the fee amount and confirms that the applicant is requesting employment authorization based on deferred action. All three forms must be filed together with the correct fee as listed on the USCIS fee schedule.

Current DACA recipients who need to renew their deferred action and employment authorization before their current DACA expires. This guide is for recipients who are within the renewal window (120 to 150 days before expiration) and want to ensure their renewal packet is complete and accurate. If you received your first DACA grant in the past two years and are approaching your first renewal, this guide covers the specific documents and evidence you need to prepare.

This guide is also for DACA recipients whose DACA has recently expired (within the past year) and who want to renew. USCIS accepts renewal applications from individuals whose DACA expired within the last 12 months. If your DACA expired more than one year ago, you must file as an initial applicant, which means USCIS will accept your application but will not process it under current court orders. Speak with an immigration attorney or a DACA- accredited representative if you fall into this category, as the legal landscape for DACA can change rapidly.

Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action): The primary application form for DACA renewal. Complete all sections accurately, using the same name, date of birth, and other biographical information as your previous DACA applications. If any information has changed since your last grant (new address, new criminal history, new travel history), disclose the change in the appropriate section. USCIS cross-references your new application against your prior filings, so inconsistencies can trigger an RFE or denial.

Form I-765 (Employment Authorization): Apply for a new EAD that will be valid for two years from the date of approval. Use the same eligibility category code as your previous DACA EAD. The filing fee for DACA renewal is listed on the USCIS fee schedule and must be paid together with the I-821D fee. If you cannot afford the fee, check whether you qualify for a fee exemption based on a means-tested benefit, income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, or financial hardship. Fee exemptions require documentation proving eligibility.

Form I-765WS (Worksheet): Complete the worksheet to confirm your household size and income. This form determines whether you qualify for the standard filing fee or a fee exemption. Include accurate information about your current income and household size. If you are a dependent of your parents, include your parents' household information.

Supporting documents: Include copies of your current or most recent DACA approval notice (Form I-797) and EAD (front and back), two passport-style photos (2 by 2 inches, white background, taken within 30 days), a copy of your passport or government-issued ID, evidence of any new criminal charges, traffic citations, or arrests since your last DACA grant with court disposition documents, and evidence of continuous residence since your last DACA grant (utility bills, bank statements, school records, or tax returns showing consistent US residence).

The ideal time to file a DACA renewal is between 120 and 150 days before your current DACA expires. This window gives USCIS enough time to process the renewal before the expiration date, minimising any gap in employment authorization. If you file earlier than 150 days before expiration, USCIS may reject the renewal as premature. If you file within the 120 to 150 day window, USCIS typically processes the renewal before the current DACA expires, ensuring continuous work authorization and deferred action.

DACA renewal processing times typically range from 4 to 8 weeks, though some cases take longer if additional review is needed. Check current USCIS processing times for Form I-821D at your service center before filing. If your case is outside normal processing times, you can submit an online inquiry. Filing during peak periods — such as just before a court deadline or during the back-to-school season — may result in longer processing times. File early in your renewal window to avoid any gap in coverage.

If your DACA expires while your renewal is pending and you filed before the expiration date, your deferred action and employment authorization are automatically extended for up to 180 days while USCIS processes the renewal. This automatic extension applies only if you filed the renewal before your current DACA expired. If your DACA has already expired when you file, there is no automatic extension, and you cannot work until the renewal is approved. File your renewal before the expiration date to avoid any gap in work authorization.

The goal is a boring renewal packet: current forms, matching names, signed forms, correct fees, and clear disclosure of any new arrests, citations, or travel. USCIS reviews DACA renewals against the same guidelines as initial applications, so any change in circumstances since your last grant must be disclosed. Common changes include: new criminal charges, arrests, or traffic citations (even minor ones like speeding tickets over $500), international travel (with or without advance parole), changes of address, changes in employment, and changes in school enrollment status.

If you have had any contact with law enforcement since your last DACA grant, include court disposition documents for each incident. A traffic citation for speeding under $500 that did not involve drugs or alcohol generally does not affect renewal eligibility, but you must still disclose it. If you were arrested but not charged, include a statement explaining the circumstances and evidence that the case was resolved without charges. Failure to disclose any arrest, even one that did not result in charges, can result in USCIS issuing a Notice of Intent to Deny for misrepresentation.

Review the biographical information on the new application carefully. Your name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names must match your previous applications exactly. If any information has changed (such as a legal name change through marriage or court order), include evidence of the change and explain it in a signed statement. Inconsistencies across filings can trigger an RFE or delay processing, so it is better to explain changes upfront than to respond to an RFE later.

Before filing your DACA renewal, confirm each of the following: (1) You are filing within the recommended renewal window — 120 to 150 days before your current DACA expires. (2) You are using the current editions of Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765WS from the USCIS website. (3) You have verified the correct filing fee on the USCIS fee schedule. (4) You have disclosed any new criminal charges, arrests, or traffic citations since your last DACA grant, with supporting court disposition documents. (5) You have disclosed any international travel since your last DACA grant, including travel with or without advance parole. (6) Your biographical information matches your previous DACA applications exactly. (7) Your EAD is not yet expired — if it is, you understand that there will be a gap in work authorization until the renewal is approved.

If you have had a significant change in circumstances since your last DACA grant — such as a criminal conviction, a deportation order, or a finding that you are a public charge — consult an immigration attorney or an accredited DACA representative before filing. These issues can affect your eligibility for renewal and may require additional documentation or legal arguments to address in the application packet.

Filing initial DACA expecting adjudication. Under current court orders, USCIS accepts initial DACA applications but does not adjudicate them. First-time applicants who submit an I-821D should expect it to remain pending indefinitely while litigation continues. If you have never had DACA before, or if your DACA expired more than one year ago, you cannot receive deferred action or work authorization under current court orders, even if your application is complete and accurate.

Missing I-765WS (Worksheet). The I-765WS is a required form for DACA renewal, not an optional supplement. Filing without the worksheet will result in USCIS rejecting the application or issuing an RFE. The worksheet calculates the fee and confirms that the applicant is requesting employment authorisation based on deferred action.

Wrong fee or wrong payment method. DACA renewal has a specific fee that includes both the I-821D and I-765 fees. Using the wrong amount will result in USCIS rejecting the application. Verify the current fee on the USCIS fee schedule before submitting payment. Pay by personal check, money order, or credit card using Form G-1450 if filing by mail. Online filing accepts electronic payment.

Hidden criminal issues. Any new criminal charges, arrests, or citations since your last DACA grant must be disclosed. Even minor traffic violations need to be disclosed if they resulted in a fine over $500 or involved drugs, alcohol, or injury. Failure to disclose can result in USCIS issuing a Notice of Intent to Deny for misrepresentation, which can also affect future immigration applications beyond DACA.