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How to get a work permit in the US: Your EAD guide
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If you’ve searched “how do I get a work permit,” you’ve probably noticed the answers never seem simple.
That’s because there’s no general-purpose work permit in the U.S. that anyone can apply for. What most people mean is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and whether you can get one depends on your immigration category.
Below, we cover who qualifies, how to apply, what it costs, how long it takes, and the 2025 change to renewals that catches a lot of applicants off guard.
What is a US work permit (EAD)?
An EAD is a photo ID card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It proves you’re allowed to work in the U.S. for a set period of time.
It isn’t a visa, and on its own it isn’t proof of immigration status. It’s evidence of work authorization that comes from your underlying immigration category. That difference has two practical effects:
Getting an EAD doesn’t change your immigration status.
If you lose your underlying status, you can lose your work authorization too, even if the card itself hasn’t expired yet.
Who doesn’t need an EAD
Not everyone who works legally in the U.S. carries an EAD:
Green card holders (lawful permanent residents) use their green card as proof they can work.
People in employer-sponsored visa categories such as H-1B, L-1 or O-1 are authorized to work for their sponsoring employer through that status, so they don’t file for a separate card.
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Who qualifies for a work permit
Most guides bury this part, but it’s the question to answer first. If your situation doesn’t fit one of USCIS’s eligibility categories, the rest of the process doesn’t apply to you yet.
Some of the most common categories:
Green card applicants with a pending Form I-485 (adjustment of status) can usually apply as soon as the I-485 is filed.
Asylum seekers with a pending application can apply 150 days after filing their asylum application.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders can apply once TPS is granted, following the Federal Register notice for their country.
Certain visa-holder spouses, including H-4, L-2 and E-2 spouses, have timing that varies by visa category.
F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT on a timeline tied to their academic program.
Approved Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients get work authorization alongside their DACA approval.
This isn’t the full list. USCIS recognizes dozens of narrower categories, each with its own eligibility code, for example ©(8) for asylum applicants or ©(9) for adjustment applicants. The complete list is in the Form I-765 instructions.
If you’re not sure which category applies to you, pin that down before anything else. Your fee, your documents and your wait time all depend on it.
How to apply for a work permit, step by step
You apply with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Here’s how the process usually goes:
Confirm your eligibility category and its code in the I-765 instructions.
Gather your supporting documents (see the list below).
Choose how to file. Many categories can file online through a USCIS online account, while others still have to file by paper. The I-765 page lists which is which.
Pay the correct fee for your filing scenario, or include a fee waiver request if you qualify.
Ask for a Social Security number at the same time if you don’t have one yet. Form I-765 lets you request a Social Security card, so you don’t need a separate trip to a Social Security office.
Attend your biometrics appointment if USCIS schedules one for your category.
Track your case online using the receipt number on the notice USCIS sends you after filing.
You’ll generally need:
Proof of your eligibility category (for example, your pending I-485 receipt notice or your asylum application receipt)
A copy of your current or most recent EAD, if this is a renewal
Passport-style photos
Biometrics, if USCIS requests them for your category
Use USCIS’s I-765 page as your source of truth for the current form and instructions rather than a copy you downloaded a while ago. USCIS updates the form from time to time.
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How much does a work permit cost
The fee depends on your filing scenario, not just on the fact that you’re filing an I-765:
Standard I-765 filed online: $470. This covers most first-time and renewal applicants.
Standard I-765 filed by paper: $520, which is $50 more than filing online.
Filed with or under a pending I-485 filed on or after April 1, 2024: $260, a reduced rate for adjustment-of-status applicants.
Renewal under an I-485 pending since before April 1, 2024: $0 under transition rules.
Refugees and certain military categories: $0.
Premium processing (select categories only): $1,780 for a decision within 30 business days, as of March 2026.
Some humanitarian categories, including asylum applicants, parolees and TPS holders, now pay separate EAD fees that Congress set in 2025 and that are adjusted each year. If you’re in one of these groups, check the fee schedule for your exact amount.
If the fee is a hardship, you may be able to request a waiver with Form I-912. You can qualify if your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if you can show financial hardship. One notable exception: fee waivers aren’t available for DACA-based applications.
Fees change, so confirm the current amounts against USCIS’s official fee schedule before you file.
How long it takes to get a work permit
This is the part that varies most, and a single number would mislead you. Recently, average I-765 processing ran a few months for some categories and much longer for others. H-4 spousal EADs, in particular, have historically taken longer than most.
Rather than rely on a number that may already be out of date, check USCIS’s live processing-times tool and select your specific category. It reflects current conditions far better than any article can.
A small number of categories qualify for premium processing. For an extra $1,780, USCIS commits to a decision within 30 business days. That decision can be an approval, a denial or a request for more information. Premium processing isn’t available for every category, so check the current list on USCIS’s premium processing page before counting on it.
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Renewing your EAD: What changed in October 2025
For years, filing a renewal on time was often enough to keep working legally while USCIS reviewed your case. Automatic extensions covered the gap, for up to 540 days in many categories.
An interim final rule that took effect on October 30, 2025, changed that:
For most categories, filing on time no longer extends your work authorization automatically.
If USCIS hasn’t approved your renewal by the day your current EAD expires, your work authorization can lapse while the case is still pending.
Some exceptions remain for extensions tied to specific statutory provisions or Federal Register notices. TPS-based EADs are one example.
Don’t assume you’re covered by an exception without checking the rules for your category.
USCIS recommends filing your renewal up to 180 days before your current card expires, not on the day it expires and not after. That early buffer is now your best protection against a gap in your work authorization.
What you can do once you have your EAD
A valid EAD opens up a few practical next steps:
Open a U.S. bank account. Your EAD works as ID alongside your Social Security number, or an ITIN if you don’t have one yet. Our guide on opening a US bank account without an SSN walks through the options.
Apply for a driver’s license in some states.
Start building US credit so renting, financing and other big steps get easier over time.
If you haven’t sorted these out yet, they’re worth tackling next.
Send money home with Ria
Once you’re working and earning in the U.S., sending money to family is often next on the list. With Ria, you can send money internationally online or in the Ria app and choose how your loved ones receive it.
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FAQs
Can I work before my EAD physically arrives?
Generally, no. You need the EAD (or, for some categories, an official approval notice) before you can legally start working. Starting before you’re authorized can cause real problems for your immigration case later, so it’s worth the wait.
Does a pending EAD renewal protect me from removal?
No. An EAD, pending or approved, is about work authorization. It isn’t immigration status, and it doesn’t protect you from removal proceedings on its own. Those are separate legal questions. If your situation is unclear, talk to an immigration attorney rather than drawing conclusions from your EAD status.
What if my category isn't on USCIS's list?
If you can’t find your situation among the EAD eligibility categories, you likely don’t qualify for work authorization through this path right now. Immigration law has a lot of narrow exceptions, though, so it’s worth confirming with an attorney. ImmigrationLawHelp.org is a free, searchable directory of nonprofit legal service providers if cost is a barrier.
Do I need a lawyer to apply?
No. You can file Form I-765 yourself, and many people do, especially for straightforward renewals. A lawyer tends to be worth the cost if your category is unusual, your case has complications, or you’re applying alongside a bigger filing like an I-485.
This article is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. Immigration rules and USCIS fees change often, so confirm the details for your situation with USCIS or a qualified immigration attorney.
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