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To get a work permit in the United States, first check whether you need federal immigration work authorization, a work visa, or a state work permit for a minor. If you qualify for an Employment Authorization Document, file Form I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), provide the required evidence, and pay the applicable fee or qualify for a fee exemption.
If you live in the United States and want to start a new job, the first step is to find out which work rules apply to you. A U.S. citizen generally does not need a federal work permit. A lawful permanent resident can usually use a Green Card as proof of permission to work. Some noncitizens, however, must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or qualify for a work visa before they can begin a job.
The phrase work permit can mean different things in the United States. Adults who need immigration-based permission often apply for an EAD, while foreign workers in certain visa categories follow an employer-sponsored process. Teenagers may need a separate employment certificate or work permit under state law. Choosing the right route matters because the forms, fees, documents, and rules are different.
This guide explains how to identify the correct path, prepare an application, avoid common mistakes, and check your status. Immigration rules and fees can change, so use the current instructions published by USCIS and other relevant government agencies before filing. This article provides general information, not a decision about your individual legal eligibility.
A work permit is a common name for a document or approval that allows a person to work under certain conditions. In U.S. immigration matters, it often refers to an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD. USCIS issues an approved EAD as evidence that an eligible noncitizen has employment authorization for the period and under the conditions that apply to the person’s case.
An EAD is not the same as a Green Card, a Social Security card, or a work visa. A Green Card proves lawful permanent resident status and generally serves as proof of work authorization. A Social Security card is used for identification and wage reporting purposes, but it does not by itself grant permission to work. A work visa or immigration status may authorize certain jobs without requiring a separate EAD.
The document you need depends on your circumstances. Someone with a pending immigration application may qualify to request an EAD, while another person may need an employer to sponsor a temporary work visa. A teenager applying for a first job may instead need a state-issued employment certificate. These are separate legal processes, so do not use one application’s instructions for another.
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Employment Authorization Document
A card issued by USCIS to eligible applicants as evidence of employment authorization. The eligibility category determines whether the applicant may work broadly or under specific conditions.
Temporary work visa
An immigration route for qualifying foreign workers. Many categories require a U.S. employer or other eligible petitioner to obtain approval before the worker applies for a visa.
Youth work permit
A state or local employment certificate that may be required for minors. Age limits, paperwork, permitted hours, and job restrictions depend on applicable law.
Do All Workers Need a Work Permit?
No. U.S. citizens generally do not need an EAD, and lawful permanent residents usually use their Green Cards as evidence of employment authorization. Certain nonimmigrants may work for an approved employer under their immigration status without obtaining a separate EAD.
Other noncitizens may need specific permission before working. Being physically present in the United States, having a Social Security number, holding a visitor visa, or having a pending application does not automatically give someone permission to accept a job. Check the exact rules for your immigration category before you work.
Citizens and permanent residents
Usually do not need to apply for a separate EAD to establish their general right to work.
Eligible noncitizens
May need an EAD or must follow the work restrictions attached to their immigration status.
International students
Must follow the specific rules for their student status and approved employment category. They cannot assume that enrollment alone permits off-campus work.
Step 1: Find Out Which Work Authorization You Need
Before completing a form, identify the legal route that applies to you. This is the most important step because the wrong application can lead to rejection, lost fees, or a delay in starting work. Begin by reviewing your citizenship, current immigration status, age, and reason for seeking employment.
For an immigration-based EAD, review the USCIS Form I-765 instructions and the list of categories that may file. Eligibility is category-specific. Examples may include certain people with pending adjustment-of-status applications, qualifying asylum applicants, refugees, asylees, and students eligible for particular types of practical training. These examples do not mean every person in those groups qualifies automatically.
If you are outside the United States and want to enter the country for employment, you may need a temporary or permanent employment-based visa rather than filing for an EAD as though you already qualify inside the country. Many temporary worker routes require a prospective employer to file a petition with USCIS first. The U.S. Department of State then explains the visa application process for the relevant category.
If you are under 18 and already have the right to work, check your state’s youth employment rules. The U.S. Department of Labor explains that federal and state child labor rules can both apply, and the more protective rule may control in cases where the laws differ.
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If you need an EAD
Read the official Form I-765 instructions and confirm that your current status or application category qualifies.
If you need a work visa
Identify the correct visa category and find out whether an employer or another eligible petitioner must file first.
If you are a minor
Check your state’s labor department or official youth employment website for age, school, employer, and permit rules.
Common Situations and the Likely Route
The following table is a starting point, not an eligibility decision. Your exact circumstances and the current rules determine which route is available.
Pending adjustment of status
Some applicants with a pending Form I-485 may qualify to request an EAD using Form I-765.
International student
May need authorization such as qualifying curricular practical training or optional practical training, depending on the program and proposed work.
Foreign worker with a job offer
May need an employer-sponsored temporary or permanent employment visa. A job offer alone does not grant work authorization.
U.S. citizen or Green Card holder
Generally does not need a separate EAD to work, although an employer must still complete the required employment eligibility verification.
Teenager seeking a first job
May need a state work permit or employment certificate, depending on age, location, and type of work.
Step 2: Check Whether You Qualify for Form I-765
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is the main form used by eligible people who want to request an EAD from USCIS. You cannot qualify simply because you want to work or have found an employer. You must meet the requirements of an eligible category and submit the evidence required for that category.
Start with the current official USCIS Form I-765 page. Read the eligibility instructions and locate the category that matches your status or pending application. Pay close attention to filing deadlines, special student requirements, supporting documents, and whether you must submit another immigration form as part of the process.
Form editions matter. USCIS announced a revised Form I-765 edition dated September 15, 2026, with no grace period for the previous edition for submissions on or after that date. Since this guide is dated October 26, 2026, check the current edition and instructions before preparing your application. Do not rely on an old saved PDF or a form copied from another website.
If your category is unclear, your immigration status has changed, or you have a complicated history involving removal proceedings, prior denials, or unlawful employment, consider speaking with a licensed U.S. immigration attorney or a Department of Justice-accredited representative before filing.
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Confirm the eligibility category
Match your exact immigration status or qualifying application to the category in the current USCIS instructions.
Check filing timing
Some categories have strict filing windows or waiting periods. Student and asylum-related applications may have rules that differ from other EAD requests.
Use the current form edition
Check the edition date, page requirements, and submission instructions on the official USCIS website before filing.
Where to Find the Official Application
Use the official USCIS website at uscis.gov/i-765 to locate the application, instructions, filing information, and current fee details. The instructions explain which evidence is needed for each category and whether online filing is available.
For a work visa, start instead with the official U.S. government information for temporary or permanent employment visas at usa.gov/temporary-work-visa and usa.gov/immigrant-work-visa. For a minor’s employment certificate, consult the relevant state government rather than submitting Form I-765.
Avoid unofficial form copies
Third-party websites may display old forms or instructions. Use official government pages to confirm current requirements.
Step 3: Gather the Documents You Need
Prepare your supporting documents before submitting Form I-765. The exact list depends on your eligibility category, so there is no single document package that works for every applicant. The current form instructions and category-specific checklist should guide your final review.
Applicants may need identity documents, passport-style photographs when required, copies of immigration records, and proof of the status or application that makes them eligible. Some applicants may need a copy of a previous EAD, while others may need evidence related to a pending immigration case or an approved student employment category.
Make sure that names, dates of birth, immigration identification numbers, and other details are consistent across the form and supporting records. If a document is in another language, follow USCIS rules for a complete English translation and the translator’s certification. Do not change a document or submit altered evidence to make an application appear stronger.
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Identity evidence
Provide the identity and travel documents required for your category, such as a passport or applicable Form I-94 record.
Proof of eligibility
Include the records that establish the status, pending application, or other legal basis for requesting work authorization.
Previous EAD, if applicable
Follow the instructions for submitting a copy of a previous employment authorization card when required.
Translations and copies
Submit readable copies and complete certified translations when required. Keep the originals safe unless an agency specifically requests them.
Create a Document Checklist
A simple checklist helps you catch missing evidence before you file. Compare each item with the current USCIS instructions rather than treating this list as a complete or universal requirement.
Review every answer
Check that your personal details, current status, eligibility category, and mailing address are accurate.
Check the required evidence
Confirm which identity, immigration, student, or other category-specific records must accompany your application.
Verify signatures
Sign the form where required. USCIS may reject an unsigned application.
Save a complete copy
Keep a copy of the submitted form, evidence, fee receipt, and delivery or electronic submission confirmation.
Step 4: Complete and Submit Your Application
Once you confirm eligibility and prepare the evidence, complete the current Form I-765. Answer every required question accurately and use the eligibility category that matches your circumstances. If a question does not apply, follow the form instructions for how to respond instead of guessing or leaving required fields blank.
USCIS permits online filing for eligible categories, while other applicants may need to submit a paper application. The correct method and mailing address depend on the category and current filing instructions. Do not send a paper application to an address found on an old checklist or copied from an unrelated applicant’s case.
Check the filing fee on the official USCIS fee schedule immediately before submitting. Fees and fee-waiver rules can change, and some categories may have separate payment requirements. Do not assume that every applicant pays the same amount or that a fee waiver is available in every case.
Before you submit, review the form, evidence, payment method, signatures, and mailing details. If you file online, save the confirmation and receipt information. If you mail the application, use a trackable delivery method and keep a copy of the complete package.
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Use the correct filing method
Follow the online or paper filing option stated for your category on the official USCIS website.
Pay the correct fee
Verify the current amount, accepted payment methods, and any applicable exemption or waiver rules before filing.
Keep proof of filing
Save the receipt number, electronic confirmation, or mailing and delivery records so you can track the case.
What Happens After You Submit Form I-765?
USCIS reviews the application and may issue a receipt notice, request additional evidence, approve the request, or deny it. The receipt notice confirms that the application was received; it is not, by itself, proof that you may begin working.
If USCIS requests more evidence, read the notice carefully and respond by the deadline using the method stated in the notice. Send the requested records in the required format. Missing a deadline or providing an incomplete response can harm the application.
Receipt notice
Keep the receipt number and use it to check your case status through official USCIS tools.
Request for evidence
Respond to the exact request by the stated deadline and retain proof of your response.
Approval notice and EAD
Follow the notice and card-delivery instructions. Confirm the authorization’s validity dates and any conditions before starting work.
Step 5: Understand Fees and Processing Times
The cost and waiting time for a work permit depend on the type of application, eligibility category, and the agency handling the case. An EAD application may have a USCIS filing fee, while a temporary work visa may involve separate petition and visa fees. A state youth employment certificate may follow a different process and may not have the same charges.
Always check the current Form I-765 fee information and any applicable exemption or waiver rules before paying. Do not rely on a fee quoted in an old article, social media post, or an unofficial application service. If you are applying for an employer-sponsored visa, review the relevant USCIS and Department of State requirements because the worker and employer may have different filing responsibilities.
Processing times are not the same for every category. USCIS processing estimates can change as workload, application type, and case circumstances change. Check the current USCIS processing-time tool for the relevant form and service center, and use your receipt notice to identify the correct case type.
Do not make firm travel, job-start, or financial plans based only on an estimated processing date. A pending application does not automatically extend every person’s existing work authorization, and it does not give everyone permission to work while waiting. Verify the rules that apply to your category.
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Check fees at the source
Use the current USCIS fee schedule and application instructions, not an old online estimate.
Check processing estimates
Use the official processing-time tool and select the correct form and case category.
Do not assume a pending case permits work
Confirm that you already have valid authorization or qualify for a specific extension or other rule before continuing or starting employment.
Can You Work While Your Application Is Pending?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Whether you may work while a request is pending depends on your current status, any existing employment authorization, and the rules for your application category. Filing Form I-765 alone does not create a general right to work.
Rules for extensions of existing EADs have changed, including a change to automatic extensions effective October 30, 2025, described in federal government guidance. Because eligibility and exceptions can depend on the category and filing date, check current USCIS guidance rather than assuming that a receipt notice extends your card.
If your current EAD is still valid
Review the card’s dates and the conditions of your status before relying on it for continued employment.
If your EAD has expired
Do not assume that a pending renewal authorizes continued work. Confirm whether a specific extension or other authorization rule applies to your case.
Work Permits for International Students and Foreign Workers
International students and foreign workers often need a different process from other EAD applicants. The right choice depends on whether the person is already in the United States, which immigration status they hold, and what kind of employment they plan to accept. A U.S. job offer can be useful, but it does not replace the legal approval required for the relevant category.
Some F-1 students may qualify for curricular practical training or optional practical training. These programs have specific educational, timing, and authorization rules. Students should speak with their designated school official and review current USCIS guidance before accepting employment or beginning a training placement.
Foreign workers applying from abroad may need an employer-sponsored temporary work visa. Common categories include H-1B for qualifying specialty occupations and H-2A for qualifying temporary agricultural work. Each category has its own requirements, and the employer generally must complete the required petition process where applicable before the worker applies for the visa.
People seeking permanent employment-based immigration may follow a different process, potentially involving labor certification, an immigrant petition, and an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. Not every job qualifies, and not every employment-based category requires the same steps. Review the official guidance for the exact category before making plans.
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Students
Confirm the applicable student work category, school approval requirements, filing dates, and whether an EAD is needed before beginning the job.
Temporary foreign workers
Identify the correct visa category and determine whether the employer must submit a petition to USCIS before a visa application.
Permanent employment applicants
Review the requirements for the relevant employment-based immigrant category, including any employer sponsorship or labor certification steps.
Can an Employer Help You Get a Work Permit?
Yes, in some situations. An employer may sponsor a qualifying foreign worker for a visa or provide job-related documents needed for an application. The employer’s role depends on the immigration category and does not mean the worker can skip required government approvals.
For an EAD category based on the worker’s own qualifying immigration circumstances, an employer may not be the applicant’s sponsor. The worker must still meet the legal eligibility requirements and follow the correct filing process. Be cautious if a recruiter promises guaranteed approval or asks for payment in exchange for an official immigration decision.
Ask which visa or authorization category applies
A legitimate employer should be able to explain the intended process and the role of any required petition.
Verify all government fees
Check official fee rules and be wary of anyone who guarantees approval or offers fake documents.
Work Permits for Teenagers and Common Application Problems
If you are a teenager in the United States, the term work permit usually refers to a document required under state youth employment rules, not an immigration EAD. The application process may involve a school, parent or guardian, employer, or state labor agency. The exact requirements vary by state and may depend on your age and the job you plan to do.
Federal child labor rules restrict certain jobs and work hours for minors. State laws may impose stricter limits, and the rules can differ for farm work and nonfarm work. Check the U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthRules information and your state’s official labor website before accepting a job.
For adult EAD applicants, common problems include using an outdated form, selecting the wrong eligibility category, omitting required evidence, submitting an unsigned application, paying the wrong fee, or sending the package to an incorrect address. These errors can lead to rejection, a request for evidence, or a longer wait.
If your application is rejected, read the notice to learn why. A rejected filing may need to be corrected and resubmitted according to the notice, while a denial may require a different response. Do not assume that rejection and denial mean the same thing or that every decision can be appealed in the same way.
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Wrong form or edition
Compare your application with the current official form and instructions before filing.
Missing evidence
Use the category-specific checklist and answer any government request by its deadline.
Incorrect fee or filing address
Confirm the amount, payment method, and submission location on the official USCIS page.
Unclear eligibility
Seek qualified immigration assistance if you cannot identify your category or if your history creates legal complications.
How to Protect Yourself From Work Permit Scams
Use official government websites for forms, fees, and case tracking. A private preparer or attorney may help with paperwork, but no private service can guarantee that USCIS or a consular officer will approve an application.
Never submit false information, buy a fake work permit, or allow another person to use your identity. False documents and unauthorized employment can create serious immigration and legal problems. If you need help, check whether an immigration attorney is licensed or whether a representative is accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Be wary of guaranteed approval
Government agencies make the decision. A consultant cannot promise a particular outcome.
Protect personal information
Share passports, immigration records, and identification documents only through trusted and appropriate channels.
Keep copies and receipts
Maintain a record of the application, payment, correspondence, and any assistance you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
How can I get a work permit in the USA?
First, identify whether you need an EAD, an employer-sponsored work visa, or a state work permit for a minor. If you qualify for an EAD, review the current USCIS Form I-765 instructions, gather the evidence for your eligibility category, pay any required fee, and submit the application using the correct method. Follow your case status and wait for the authorization required for your category before working.
Q
How much does a U.S. work permit cost?
The cost depends on the type of authorization, the application category, and the current government fee rules. Some applications may qualify for an exemption or fee waiver, while work visa processes can involve separate petition or visa fees. Check the current USCIS fee schedule and the relevant Department of State or state agency guidance before paying.
Q
How long does it take to get a work permit?
There is no single processing time for every applicant. Waiting times vary by category, application workload, and individual circumstances. Use the USCIS processing-time tool for the correct form and case type, and do not treat an estimate as a guarantee or as permission to work.
Q
Can I work while my work permit application is pending?
Not solely because you filed an application. You may be able to work if you already have valid authorization or meet a specific rule that permits continued employment. Check the current rules for your immigration category, especially if your existing EAD is expiring or has expired.
Q
Can I get a work permit without a job offer?
Some EAD categories do not require a specific employer or job offer, while many employer-sponsored work visa categories require a qualifying employer or petitioner. Your eligibility category determines which rule applies. Confirm the requirements before paying a fee or starting an application.
Q
Do U.S. citizens and Green Card holders need a work permit?
U.S. citizens generally do not need an EAD, and lawful permanent residents usually use their Green Card as proof of employment authorization. Employers must still complete the applicable employment eligibility verification process. A separate state employment certificate may be required for a minor under youth employment rules.
Q
What should I do if my work permit application is denied?
Read the denial notice carefully and identify the stated reason and any available response options. Do not automatically submit another application without understanding the problem. If the decision involves complex immigration history, a missed deadline, or possible effects on your status, consult a licensed immigration attorney or a Department of Justice-accredited representative.
✦ Wrapping Up
Conclusion
Getting a work permit in the United States starts with choosing the right legal route. Some people need an Employment Authorization Document through USCIS, some foreign workers need an employer-sponsored visa, and some teenagers need a state employment certificate. Your citizenship, immigration status, age, and intended job determine the correct process.
If you need an EAD, use the current Form I-765 instructions, confirm your eligibility category, collect the required documents, check the latest fee rules, and submit the application correctly. Keep your receipt and follow all notices. Never assume that a pending application gives you permission to work or that an old card remains valid without checking the rules for your category.
💡 Key Takeaway
Start by visiting uscis.gov/i-765 if you believe you qualify for an Employment Authorization Document. Confirm your eligibility and the current form edition before filing. If you need a work visa or a minor’s employment certificate instead, use the official federal or state guidance for that process.
