How to Get a Work Permit in the United States

To get permission to work in the United States, first identify the immigration category that applies to you, then follow the work-authorization process for that category. Some people must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), while others may work based on their immigration status without a separate EAD. A job offer or a pending application does not by itself authorize employment. The documents you need, the application process, and the timing all depend on your circumstances. Understanding which rules apply before you accept a start date can help you avoid unauthorized work and preventable delays.

What Does “Work Permit” Mean?

In everyday conversation, a “work permit” usually refers to an EAD, a card issued by USCIS that documents employment authorization for people eligible to apply for one. But an EAD is not the only form of work authorization. Some people are authorized to work through their immigration status or visa classification and do not need a separate card. The key question is therefore not simply how to obtain a work permit, but which form of authorization applies to your situation. For a broader explanation of the U.S. work permit and the Employment Authorization Document, see our related articles.

USAGov EAD guidance explains that eligibility and validity depend on a person’s immigration category. An approved EAD may be valid for one or two years depending on that category. USCIS may mail the card or require in-person pickup.

How Do You Find the Right Work-Authorization Category?

Your immigration category determines whether you may apply for an EAD, whether you already have work authorization, and what evidence or process applies. People may seek an EAD because they have a pending immigration application, hold a status that allows an EAD application, or need to renew an existing card. Employer-sponsored immigration routes may involve separate steps to obtain a status that permits work.

Do not select a category based on a job title or another person’s experience. Review the records that show your current immigration situation, such as immigration paperwork, arrival records when applicable, USCIS notices, prior EADs, and documents connected to a pending case. The requirements are specific to the category, so the same process may not apply to two people who both need proof of work authorization.

How Do You Apply for an EAD?

If your category allows you to apply for an EAD, use the current USCIS instructions for that category. The form, eligibility code, filing method, supporting evidence, and fee can vary. A practical process is to:

1. Confirm that your immigration category permits an EAD application.
2. Check current USCIS instructions for the correct form, eligibility code, and filing method.
3. Gather the evidence required for your category.
4. File accurately and keep copies of the application and supporting documents, along with proof of delivery and receipt numbers.
5. Monitor USCIS notices in case the agency requests more information or schedules an appointment.
6. Wait for the required authorization before beginning work. Filing an application is not the same as receiving work authorization.

The government’s working in the U.S. with an EAD page is a plain-language starting point and directs readers to official USCIS resources. If you have already filed, the time to receive a decision depends on the process and circumstances involved. See how long a work permit takes for more on planning around processing time.

How Should You Plan for Processing Time?

Do not plan around a hoped-for approval date. Begin as early as your category allows, keep your mailing address current, and track filing and expiration dates. USCIS may need time to review an application or request additional information, so a planned job start date should not be treated as proof that authorization will arrive by then.

Employer-sponsored immigration paths can involve steps before a worker obtains the status needed for employment. Labor certification is one example. The Niskanen Center reported that PERM processing times reached 501 days as of April 23, 2026, down from 512 days in February. This is not an estimate of EAD processing time, but it illustrates why some immigration timelines require substantial planning. The center’s June 2026 immigration data update provides context for those figures.

When Can You Start Working?

A job offer does not grant permission to work. Before starting, confirm that you have the authorization required for your immigration category and valid documentation for the applicable employment-verification process. A pending application or filing receipt is not automatically permission to work, and an expired document does not automatically authorize continued employment.

Employers must verify each new hire’s authorization through the required process. They should request the documentation required for verification without demanding unnecessary immigration details or treating workers differently because of citizenship or national origin. Workers should provide genuine documents and should not assume that a document or receipt permits work unless the applicable rules allow it.

What Should You Know About EAD Renewals?

If you have an EAD, check its expiration date well in advance and review the current filing instructions for your category. Renewal is not necessarily identical to the initial application: your status, supporting evidence, address, or employment circumstances may have changed. Keep prior approval records and confirm which requirements apply before filing. If a job start or contract extension depends on uninterrupted authorization, identify the relevant dates early and account for possible processing delays.

How Can Policy Changes Affect Your Application?

Immigration policy changes can affect the process for a particular category without changing the rules for everyone. In July 2026, NPR reported on a proposed Department of Homeland Security regulation that would increase the waiting period for asylum seekers to apply for a work permit from five months to one year. The proposal would also pause processing of new work permits until USCIS reduced its asylum backlog. Because the measure was proposed, it should not be treated as a final rule. NPR’s coverage of the proposal describes the reported changes.

A proposal affecting asylum applicants may not apply to international students, family-based applicants, or workers pursuing an employer-sponsored path. Check the current instructions for your own category rather than assuming a policy update applies to every applicant.

What Should Workers and Employers Do Next?

Workers should keep a secure record of receipt numbers, notices, and expiration dates. They can tell an employer about constraints on a start date without sharing unrelated personal information. Employers should allow realistic time for onboarding and verification, use consistent procedures, and avoid promising an approval date they cannot control. When employment depends on immigration timing, planning around the requirements and possible delays helps both sides set accurate expectations.

If you are uncertain which category applies, review the USCIS instructions for your circumstances before filing. The category determines which process and documents are relevant.

*This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.