EAD Renew

[sittingwaitingwishing]

My EAD is about to expire (didin't renew it earlier hoping I would get my interview notice sooner). I have a pending case with USCIS for form i-485. Do I need to pay the renewal fee for the EAD? By what I understood from "how to fill" document, because I have a pending case, it is not necessary to pay the fee.

I really don't want to pay $400 if I don't have to!

[newacct]

My EAD is about to expire (didin't renew it earlier hoping I would get my interview notice sooner). I have a pending case with USCIS for form i-485. Do I need to pay the renewal fee for the EAD? By what I understood from "how to fill" document, because I have a pending case, it is not necessary to pay the fee.

I really don't want to pay $400 if I don't have to!

Your EAD is an AOS-based EAD (category C9)? If so, yes, it is free to apply for (both the initial one and any number of renewals).