{"id":1405,"date":"2018-09-23T21:59:39","date_gmt":"2018-09-23T21:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.usgreencardoffice.com\/?p=1405"},"modified":"2024-04-16T10:33:47","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T09:33:47","slug":"how-to-apply-for-a-us-work-permit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/how-to-apply-for-a-us-work-permit","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply for a US Work Permit"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Apply for a US Work Permit \u2013 EAD<\/h2>\n

The process for applying for a US work permit \u2013 also called an employment authorization document or EAD \u2013 is simple and straightforward. All you have to do is fill out the one-page form, attach the processing fee, documents, and photos that prove your eligibility, and submit everything to the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).<\/p>\n

Of course there\u2019s a catch though; in this case it\u2019s making sure that you are actually eligible. Work permits are only available to limited groups of foreign immigrants, typically those who are applying for adjustment of status (a green card) or who already have a temporary right to stay in the United States. For more info pelase also see, Who can Qualify for a Work Permit in the United States?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get confuse by applying for a work permit and applying for a work visa \u2013 such as the H-1B visa<\/strong><\/a>. Applying for a work visa is a much more complicated process.<\/p>\n

Filling Out the I-765 Form<\/h2>\n

\"US<\/p>\n

The form used to apply for a work permit is the Form I-765, which can be obtained for free through download<\/a> on the USCIS website.<\/p>\n

Much of the form is self-explanatory. You just fill in your name, contact information, and other details. For question 12, you will be asked for your most recent entry to the U.S, even if you\u2019d been staying in the country for a while and were just off on a short trip overseas. The \u201cmanner of entry\u201d refers to the visa that you entered the country on.<\/p>\n

Question 16 is likely going to take the most effort. You have to look at the instructions for the form, which can be found on the USCIS website, to understand the eligibility category you belong to. The most common categories are category (a)(5) for those granted asylum, (a)(12) for those who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS); (c)(3)(C) for students doing post-completion optional practical training, (c)(5) for J-2 spouses of J-1 exchange visitors, and (c)(9) for those applying for an adjustment of status (green card).<\/p>\n

If the category has two letters or numbers \u2013 like (c)(9) \u2013 then don\u2019t worry about the three spaces on the form. Just enter the letter into the second set of parentheses and the number in the third.<\/p>\n