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How DACA renewal works
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) gives certain people who came to the United States as children a renewable, time-limited protection from removal and the ability to apply for work authorization. Renewing it generally involves the I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, filed together with the I-765 work-permit application. This guide explains the general process. It does not assess any individual case.
An important note on DACA's status
DACA has been the subject of ongoing litigation, and what USCIS is permitted to accept and approve has shifted over time — sometimes with renewals treated differently from first-time requests. As of 2026, USCIS has continued to accept and process renewal requests, while first-time (initial) requests may be accepted but are generally not being adjudicated under separate litigation. Recent developments have added uncertainty, including narrower use of discretion and processing holds affecting applicants from certain countries. Because this can change on short notice, confirm the current state of the program on the official USCIS I-821D page before relying on any general description. People with any complication often benefit from talking to a licensed immigration attorney or an accredited nonprofit.
Who renews
Renewal is generally for existing DACA recipients whose current period is approaching its end. USCIS encourages filing a renewal 120 to 150 days (about 4 to 5 months) before the expiration date on your current approval notice, so there is time to process it before the current period ends. Filing earlier than 150 days out does not speed up the decision. Confirm the current window on the USCIS I-821D page before relying on it.
The steps, in order
- Confirm your expiration date and the recommended renewal window.
- Prepare the forms. Renewal generally means the I-821D plus the I-765 work-permit application, using the current edition of each.
- File with USCIS with the required fees, online or by mail. Use the current form editions.
- Biometrics, in many cases — an appointment for fingerprints and a photo.
- Decision. If renewed, USCIS issues a new deferred-action period and a new work-permit (EAD) card.
How long it takes
Times vary widely, and litigation-driven pauses and processing holds have affected them. In 2025–2026, many renewals have been reported in roughly the 3-to-7-month range, though the official processing-time tool has at times shown longer figures, and applicants affected by current holds can wait longer. Because the spread is large and changes often, treat any single number with caution and check the official USCIS processing-time tool and current program notices for your service center.
What it costs
The cost is largely the work-permit component. As of 2026, the I-821D fee is $85 and the I-765 work-permit fee is $520 by mail or $470 filed online — roughly $605 total on paper or $555 online. There is generally no fee waiver for a standard DACA renewal. Because amounts change, confirm the current figure with the USCIS Fee Calculator. Preparation costs, if you use a service, are separate from the government fee.
When you may want an attorney
Given DACA's shifting legal status, anyone with a gap in their DACA, a criminal issue, travel questions, or uncertainty about whether the program currently allows their renewal has good reason to raise it with a licensed immigration attorney or an accredited nonprofit. ImFiled is a document preparation service, not a law firm.
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