Approved Work Permit — What It Means & What Happens Next

An approved work permit (also called an Employment Authorization Document or
EAD) is a document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that
officially authorizes a noncitizen to work in the United States. The work permit is separate from
immigration status itself — it simply confirms that the holder may be employed legally. This is crucial
for noncitizens who would otherwise not have employment authorization based on their visa or status.

What an Approved Work Permit Means

When USCIS approves your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization:

You will receive an EAD card — the plastic card that proves you may work.
The card contains your name, category (e.g., (c)(8) for asylum, (a)(5) for refugee, (c)(9) for pending green card), and expiration date.
An approval notice (Form I-797) lets you know your application was successful and that your EAD
will be mailed soon.
The approval does not grant permanent resident status or change your immigration status — it only
grants work authorization.

Who Needs a Work Permit

A work permit is generally needed if you are a noncitizen who is not automatically authorized to work in
the U.S., such as:

Asylum seekers (eligible after 150 days of a pending asylum application).
Refugees and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Individuals with pending adjustment of status (green card) applications.
Certain parolees and beneficiaries of specific immigration categories (e.g., U visas, T visas).

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and U.S. citizens **do not** need a work permit.

How Approval Works

To obtain a work permit, you generally must file **Form I-765** with USCIS, selecting the
correct eligibility category based on your situation (e.g., asylum pending, refugee status,
adjustment pending).
Once USCIS reviews and approves the application:

An approval notice (Form I-797) is issued.
An EAD card is mailed to your address.

You may start working **only after your EAD card is valid** and in your possession — meaning the dates printed on the card must be current and the card physically received.

Validity and Recent Policy Changes

In most cases, work permits are valid for a set period (commonly 1–2 years), and you must renew
before expiration to continue working lawfully.
**Recent changes (2025):** USCIS has updated EAD validity durations and automatic extension rules —
work permits for many categories are now capped at **18 months** instead of prior longer periods.
Additionally, DHS removed automatic extension provisions effective October 30, 2025, meaning the
employment authorization ends when the card expires unless you have a newly issued or timely renewed
EAD.

Renewal and Replacement

If your work permit is nearing expiration, you should file a **renewal Form I-765** up to 180 days before it
expires.
You can also file a renewal or replacement if the card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
It’s important to keep your EAD valid — working with an expired EAD can violate immigration law.

Work Authorization vs. Immigration Status

A work permit simply **authorizes employment** in the U.S., but it does *not* by itself:

Grant immigration status (such as a visa or permanent residency).
Guarantee future immigration benefits.

Your underlying immigration case (e.g., asylum, adjustment of status) may still be pending or
separate from your employment authorization.

Documentation and Employer Requirements

U.S. employers are required to verify that all employees may legally work. A valid EAD card must be
presented *alongside other identity documentation* when completing Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility
Verification).
Employers may also use electronic verification systems like **E-Verify** to confirm employment eligibility,
but the EAD card remains fundamental evidence of authorization.