User Question: I have a defensive asylum case pending, and my 150-day waiting period will be over in March. I plan to apply for my EAD on the 151st day. I’ve heard that processing usually takes 30–45 days, but I’m wondering if the timeline for defensive asylum applicants is longer than for those in the affirmative process. If anyone has experience applying for an EAD while waiting for their defensive asylum case, could you share your processing timeline?

Expert Answer: For both affirmative and defensive asylum applicants, the EAD processing time can vary. While the general processing time is around 30–45 days after applying, it can take longer depending on USCIS workload and case volume. Defensive asylum applicants typically follow the same timeline as affirmative applicants for EADs. However, delays are common, so tracking your case status online and considering premium processing (if available in the future) might be helpful.