How to Renew Your DACA in 2024

USCIS encourages you to submit your DACA renewal request 4 to 5 months before the expiration date. Filing during this window reduces the risk that you fall out of status. Submitting a renewal earlier than 5 months ahead will not speed up the process.

DACA is facing legal challenges at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Because of this, DACA might come to an end or see major changes soon. While things are uncertain, it is important to renew your DACA within the suggested 4 to 5 month period. By renewing early in this time frame, you can make sure your application is processed while DACA renewals are still being accepted.

If you are a DACA recipient that had interaction with law enforcement or ICE, you should consult an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative prior to submitting a renewal request.

On April 1, 2024 many USCIS filing fees will go up. The fee to apply to renew your DACA and work permit will increase from $495 to either $555 (for online filings) or $605 (for paper filings).

If you’ve already filed your DACA renewal request and are seeing delays, visit “Steps to Take if Your DACA Renewal Is Delayed.” USCIS encourages you to submit your DACA renewal request 4 to 5 months before the expiration date. Filing during this window reduces the risk that you fall out of status.

Find your previous renewal filing and use it as a guide to complete your new renewal filing. You can cross-reference your old and new filings to ensure the information is consistent. But make sure the information you provide on your new renewal filing is updated. For example, if you recently moved, make sure your current physical and mailing address is listed on your DACA renewal form.

Once you set up your USCIS account, login and click on the “Menu” option in the top right hand corner. Under “Account Actions” you will see an option to file a form online.

You can file the following forms online:

1. Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
   Instruction guide for Form I-821D
2. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
   Instructions guide for Form I-765
   * Concurrent filing available. You can complete Form I-765 after you sign Form I-821D, allowing you to submit both forms at the same time. **You will also need to submit form I-765WS. This form isn’t available to fill out electronically, so you will need to print it and upload it to the USCIS portal with your other documents. Click here for a guide on how to upload documents with your phone created by United We Dream.

Use your previous DACA renewal application to guide you through filling out the online forms. If you do not have a copy, fill out the application to the best of your ability or we strongly urge you to consider seeking out assistance from local non-profit organizations that provide free to low-cost legal assistance. See here for DACA renewal clinics near you.

USICS will automatically save your responses when you navigate to another section of the form. They will save your information for 30 days from the last day you worked on the forms. If you do not work on your application after 30 days, they will delete your data in order to prevent storing personal information indefinitely.

Here are instruction guides for help filing Form I-821D and Form I-765.

After you complete and sign Form I-821D and Form I-765, you will need to pay the $555 fee (I-821D $85, I-765 $470). USCIS will direct you to the Department of Treasury site, pay.gov, to pay your fees online. You will be able to pay through the following methods:

1. Credit card, debit card, or prepaid card
2. Bank account withdrawals

Once you’ve paid the application fee, you will be able to upload supporting evidence and documents.

After carefully reviewing your application for accuracy, make a copy of your application for your records and submit your renewal!

There is currently no category for DACA. No Lawful Status (NLS) would be the most appropriate option for a DACA recipient filing their I-765.

The most common answer is “no”. The overwhelming majority of applicants are granted DACA by USCIS. ICE granted DACA to a small number of noncitizens who were in detention when DACA was first announced, in June 2012.

To qualify for DACA, you must have been out of status on June 15, 2012. If you never had lawful status or if you don’t know whether you ever had lawful status, you may wish to respond with, “no lawful status.” If you entered the United States using a visa and your status had lapsed by June 15, 2012, you may wish to respond with, “status expired.” If you have copies of your previous DACA application forms, you should review your answer to this question to remain consistent.

Find a renewal clinic, accredited rep., or immigration attorney who can assist you with your filing.

Find your previous renewal filing and use it as a guide as you complete your new renewal filing. You can cross-reference your old and new filings to ensure the information is consistent. But make sure the information you provide on your new renewal filing is updated. For example, if you recently moved, make sure your current physical and mailing address is listed on your DACA renewal form.

Make sure to download the correct and most current DACA request and work permit forms directly from USCIS. If a form is out of date, USCIS may reject your filing.
You will need to download and complete the following forms: 

• Form I-821D
• Form I-765
• Form I-765WS

Accurately fill out all forms. Remember to read all instructions on the forms thoroughly, and to double-check your responses with the responses you included in your previous renewal filing so that the information is consistent. It is recommended that you fill out the forms digitally to make sure all information is readable. If you are filling them out by hand, make sure you write clearly with a black pen.

A cover letter includes a checklist of the items in the filing to help the USCIS officer easily see what they are about to review. Check out UWD’s cover letter template as a starting point.

• Get your passport photo taken to include with the I-765 form.
• You will need two passport photos.

Purchase your money order from your local U.S. Post Office or bank—we strongly advise using a money order because USCIS does not accept cash. The money order should be for $520 for Form I-765 (work permit) and a separate check for $85 for Form I-821D (DACA renewal). It should be made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” (do not use abbreviations like “DHS”).

Photocopy your entire filing, including your money order and all supporting documentation, as well as any receipt for mailing your filing, and keep the copy in a safe place.

Package and send your DACA renewal filing. We recommend that your renewal packet be in the following order to make it easier for review:

• Money order for $520 for Form I-765 (work permit) and a separate check for $85 for Form I-821D (DACA renewal).
• Cover Letter
• Completed Form G-1145
• Completed Form I-821D
• Completed Form I-765
  • Two passport photos- taken within 30 days of your filing
  • Copy of the front and back of your current employment authorization document
• Completed Form I-765WS
• Copies of any supporting documentation.

Where should you send your renewal request? This depends on your location. USCIS has a quick reference guide on where to send your renewal request based on your location.

Tip: Do not staple your request together. This makes it harder for the review process and your filing could even be rejected by USCIS. Instead, use paper clips.

Tip: We also strongly advise that you mail using priority shipping that includes a tracking number. The USPS’ Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes are perfect for this.