You can use an EAD card to work for any employer in the United States. If you are a replacing a card that has incorrect information, please see the Special Instructions provided below. If you complete and print this form to mail it, make sure that the form edition date and page numbers are visible at the bottom of all pages and that all pages are from the same form edition. If any of the form’s pages are missing or are from a different form edition, we may reject your form.
How Do I Apply for an EAD?
The forms that can be completed using our software can be obtained for free from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as blank forms with written instructions. Quiz results do not guarantee eligibility or ineligibility as you may or may not be eligible based on reasons not addressed in the quizzes.
- Those eligible for the automatic extension include refugees, asylees, pending asylum applicants, TPS holders, pending TPS initial applicants, VAWA petitioners, and others.
- And you do not have to work in any specific trade or profession.
- If you have a pending asylum application, the processing time is 30 days.
- Having a job or providing a service without the proper documents is against U.S. labor and immigration laws.
- USCIS offers fee waivers to qualifying Work Permit applicants who can demonstrate an inability to pay the filing fee.
Is an EAD the Same as a Green Card?
- They look similar to a state-issued ID card, showing your photo, date of birth, and a validity period.
- However, each EAD application must be filed separately, and you must meet the eligibility requirements for each category.
- Currently, applications take three to nine months on average, but some categories may take significantly longer.
- Before submitting, you will be asked to provide relevant documents as supporting evidence.
Traveling outside the United States while your EAD application is pending may have consequences on your immigration status, particularly if you have a pending adjustment of status application. In such cases, it is recommended to obtain Advance Parole before traveling. It is essential to consult with an immigration lawyer to ensure you maintain compliance with your visa requirements. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) primarily allows foreign nationals to work in the United States. However, it is essential to understand how obtaining an EAD might impact other immigration processes, such as adjusting your status, extending your visa, or applying for citizenship. In this section, we will discuss the potential effects of having a Work Permit on various immigration processes.
Instead, send a letter to the USCIS location that approved your EAD. The letter should explain the situation and offer proof that USCIS caused the error. Applying for a work permit may seem simple, but small mistakes can lead to long delays or denials. At Monrreal Law, we’ve helped countless clients obtain and renew their Employment Authorization Documents with confidence and success. For many immigrants, a work permit is more than just a card—it’s the key to self-sufficiency, stability, and the opportunity to thrive. Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
What is the cost of obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?
You will also get a notice of the date and time for your biometric screening, which is going to be at your local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC). Find out which visa categories are eligible to file Form I-765 for a work permit, beginning on page 1 of the Instructions for Application of Employment Authorization. The information on this page comes from USCIS, ASAP, and other trusted sources. We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. Social Security numbers are no longer issued automatically with work permits.
This document is particularly important for individuals who are not lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens but have a valid immigration status that permits them to work. The EAD serves as proof of work authorization for a specific period and is often required when applying for jobs or verifying eligibility to work under U.S. law. It is essential for individuals in categories such as asylum applicants, adjustment of status applicants, and certain visa holders seeking temporary work authorization. We are not a law firm, and this site and our software are not a substitute for the advice of a lawyer and do not contain or constitute legal advice. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by the United States government or any government agency. This site provides general information on some commonly encountered immigration matters only and was created to allow you to more simply navigate your completion of immigration paperwork using online software.
While their Green Card application is pending, a Work Permit allows them to work legally in the United States. The wait time can vary by immigration status and the Service Center that is handling your application. You can also see estimated wait times for your case by logging into your myUSCIS account. After USCIS receives your application, they will also send you a receipt notice with a number to track the status of your application. We can only approve an application for employment authorization based on deferred action after DHS has issued deferred action in your case, regardless of when you file Form I-765. If you lose your job while on an EAD, your work authorization remains valid until the expiration date on your EAD card.
Employment Authorization
If your EAD application is denied, you can file a motion to reopen or reconsider the decision with USCIS. This process involves submitting a Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, along with the required filing fee and any additional evidence or documentation supporting your case. In such cases, you should apply for a replacement EAD by submitting a new Form I-765, along with the required supporting documents and filing fee. Make sure to explain the reason for requesting a replacement and provide any relevant documentation (e.g., a police report for a stolen Work Permit). The primary purpose of the EAD is to enable eligible immigrants to seek and maintain employment in the United States without violating their immigration status.
If someone takes a job without getting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or another valid work permit, it can create serious issues with their immigration status. Working without authorization breaks immigration laws and could jeopardize their ability to stay in the country. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that proves a non-citizen’s legal right to work in the United States for a specific period of time.
What documents are needed to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?
Certain aliens who are in the United States may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Other aliens whose immigration status authorizes them to work in the United States without restrictions may also use Form I-765 to apply for an EAD that shows such authorization. Yes, you can have multiple EADs based on different eligibility categories. However, each EAD application must be filed separately, and you must meet the eligibility requirements for each category. To correct any errors on your EAD, submit a new Form I-765, along with a letter explaining the mistake and any supporting documentation to verify the correct information. In most cases, USCIS will issue a corrected EAD without charging an additional fee.
Green Card
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a plastic card that looks very much like a driver’s license or a permanent resident card. Citizenship and Immigration Services to individuals who are authorized to work in the United States. If USCIS doesn’t send you a receipt notice within 30 days of applying, contact them or check your online USCIS account if you filed electronically. Mail or upload your application to USCIS, depending on whether your category is eligible for online filing.
Step 5: Wait for USCIS Processing
If you believe USCIS committed an error, you may appeal a denial by filing a Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion. If you win the appeal on an I-765 employment authorization renewal, your EAD may be backdated. However, if you don’t win or the circumstances don’t support backdating the EAD, your EAD expires on its listed expiration date.
It ensures that employers can verify their employees’ work authorization while complying with U.S. immigration laws. Additionally, the EAD facilitates access to essential services such as obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN) and a driver’s license. USCIS provides a link allowing you to check current Form I-765 processing times to know how far in advance you should submit your renewal. Currently, applications take three to nine months on average, but some categories may take significantly longer. For example, some DACA-related I-765s have recently taken as long as 37 months to process.