Asylum Clock and Court Clock

The immigration court case clock counts the days your case has been pending and, for asylum seekers, tracks the time that counts toward a work permit. You generally need 180 days of qualifying clock time before you can be approved for employment authorization, and you can file Form I-765 once 150 days have accrued.

How the clock works

The clock runs while the court controls the pace of your case. Once 150 days have accrued you can file Form I-765, and the general threshold for approval of a work permit is 180 days of qualifying clock time.

Why the clock stops

A stopped clock usually means something paused the count of qualifying days, often a continuance you requested, a missed step, or a delay attributed to you rather than the court. While stopped, those days do not count toward the 180-day threshold, which can push back your work permit.

What to do if your clock is stopped

If your clock stopped and you are not sure why, an immigration attorney can review the record and request a correction if it was stopped in error. Watching your clock, and avoiding actions that stop it unnecessarily, is important.

This page is for information only and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts and on the court record.