Travel And Work Dreams: Uscis Approved

If you are a noncitizen seeking to work in the United States, you will need to apply for a work permit, also known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The process for obtaining a work permit varies depending on your immigration status and the type of work you will be doing. For example, if you are seeking to work based on your family relationship with a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you must first file a green card application (Form I-485) and then apply for a work permit. On the other hand, if you are already in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, such as an H-1B or L-1 visa, you can continue working while your green card application is processed and do not need to obtain a work permit.

In addition to a work permit, you may also need to obtain a travel permit, officially known as an Advance Parole Travel Document, if you plan to leave the United States while your green card application is pending. If you leave the country without a travel permit, your green card application may be considered abandoned. The process of obtaining a work permit and travel permit can take up to seven months in some cases, so it is important to plan ahead.

Work permits for non-immigrants: apply for an EAD if you're a non-immigrant with the right skills, education, or work experience

If you're a non-immigrant with the right skills, education, or work experience, you may be able to work in the US temporarily with a work permit, also known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

To apply for an EAD, you will generally need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You will need to apply for an EAD if you are authorized to work in the US because of your immigration status or circumstances (for example, you are an asylee, refugee, or U nonimmigrant) and need evidence of that employment authorization.

You will also need to apply for an EAD if you have a non-immigrant status or circumstance that allows you to be in the US but does not allow you to work without first seeking permission from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This includes students with an F-1 or M-1 visa.

If you are in the US and have a lawful non-immigrant status that does not provide employment authorization, you can apply for a change of status to a non-immigrant classification that does provide employment authorization.

The cost of applying for an EAD is $410–$520, and it takes 2-7 months to get one. However, some applicants don't have to pay the application fee. The length of time that your work permit is valid for will depend on your immigration status, but it will typically be valid for 1 or 2 years.

To apply for your work permit, you will need to file Form I-765, review the instructions, and pay the filing fee. You will also need to submit several supporting documents, including:

• A copy of your passport photo page
• Two 2x2 passport-style photos with your name and Alien Registration Number written on the back
• Copies of any previous work permits
• A copy of your current US visa
• A copy of your original Form I-94 travel record or a printout of your electronic I-94 from your most recent entry into the US

If your application is approved, USCIS may send your EAD in the mail, or you may be required to get it in person from your nearest USCIS office.

Work permits for relatives of US citizens: apply for an EAD as part of the initial green card application package

If you are a relative of a US citizen and are living in the United States, you will need a work permit to be employed by a US employer while your family-based green card application (Form I-485) is pending. You can apply for a work permit (officially called an "Employment Authorization Document" or "EAD") as part of your initial green card application package.

To apply for a work permit, you will need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and pay the required filing fee. The standard fee for Form I-765 is $520, but the work permit cost depends on several factors. For instance, if you are required to submit biometrics with your application, the total cost will be $750. Certain applicants are exempt from paying the filing fee, and others may request a fee waiver by submitting Form I-912 with their application.

In addition to Form I-765, you will need to submit several supporting documents with your work permit application, including:

• A copy of your I-94 travel record (if available)
• A copy of your US visa (placed in your passport)
• A copy of your passport photo page
• Copies of previous work permits (if any)
• Two passport-style photos
• A copy of the receipt notice from USCIS that your green card application is pending (only if your sponsor is a green card holder or a US citizen and you are applying for a work permit after submitting your green card application)

If you have never been issued a work permit before, you will also need to submit one of the following forms of government-issued identification:

• Birth certificate and photo ID
• Copy of a visa issued by a consulate of a country other than the United States
• Another national identity document with your photo and/or fingerprint

Once you have submitted your work permit application, it typically takes about 2-7 months for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process it. Your work permit will arrive within 5-7 months after USCIS receives your application.

Work permits for relatives of green card holders: apply for an EAD after filing a green card application

If you are a relative of a green card holder and want to work in the United States, you must obtain a work permit, officially known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

To obtain an EAD, you need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You can file Form I-765 at the same time as your green card application or after you have received a notice that your green card application has been received. If you are a relative of a green card holder, you must wait until you are eligible to file your green card application before applying for a work permit.

The process for applying for a work permit involves four steps:

• Prepare Form I-765: The two biggest parts of the application are explaining why you want a work permit and providing biographical and contact information.
• Prepare supporting documents: If this is your first work permit application, you will need to provide the following:

• A copy of your current immigrant visa
• A copy of the photo page of your passport
• A copy of your Form I-94 travel document
• Two recent passport-style photos of you
• A copy of your receipt notice that you received when you applied for a visa (if applicable)
• A copy of an additional form of identification, such as your birth certificate and photo ID from your home country

• Pay the filing fee: The work permit filing fee is $410, but this amount may change, so it is best to check the USCIS's online Fee Schedule. Certain applicants, such as those requesting consideration for DACA, also need to pay an $85 biometric services fee.
• Submit Form I-765: You can file Form I-765 online or by mail. If you are mailing your application, use the USCIS direct filing address that corresponds to your reasons for applying and your eligibility category.

After the USCIS receives your work permit application, they will need about five to seven months to process it. If your relative only has a green card, you will need a green card number before applying for a work permit, which can take over two years.

Once your work permit is approved, you can start working in the United States. However, you will also need a Social Security Number (SSN) in addition to your work permit to legally work. You can apply for an SSN at the same time as your work permit by checking the corresponding box on Form I-765.

It is important to note that working in the United States without a work permit can put your entire green card application at risk. The consequences of working without authorization include a ban on re-entering the United States for three to ten years and difficulty obtaining a visa or other immigration benefits.

Travel permits: apply for an advance parole travel document if you have a pending green card application and need to travel

If you have a pending green card application and need to travel, you can apply for an advance parole travel document. This is a document that allows you to travel back to the US without applying for another visa and without nullifying your green card application.

To apply for a travel permit, you need to file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. This form can be used to apply for several types of travel documents, including a re-entry permit, refugee travel document, TPS travel authorization document, or the advance parole travel document.

When filing Form I-131, you must attach a copy of your photo identification (such as a copy of the photo page of your passport) and two passport-sized photos. There is no additional fee if you submit your travel document application at the same time as your initial application for a green card. However, if you have already submitted your green card application, there is a $630 fee to file Form I-131 with a pending green card application.

It's important to note that you should not leave the United States until you have received your approved travel document. The processing time for a travel document is typically within 150 days after submitting your application materials.

Additionally, having an advance parole document does not guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter the United States. At the airport or border, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will make the final decision about whether to allow you to re-enter the country.

Travel permits for refugees: apply for a refugee travel document if you have refugee or asylum status

If you are a refugee or asylee in the U.S. who wants to travel abroad, you will need a travel document to return to the U.S. This is because, in most cases, you will need a passport to re-enter the country, and as a refugee, you may not have a valid passport from your country of origin.

A refugee travel document is the equivalent of a U.S. passport for refugees and asylees who need to travel outside the U.S. temporarily. It is a small booklet, similar to a passport, and is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

To apply for a refugee travel document, you must:

• Be physically present in the U.S. when your application is filed, received, and accepted by USCIS.
• Remain in the U.S. until your biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment is completed.
• File Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with USCIS.
• Submit supporting documents, including evidence of your refugee or asylee status and a copy of an official photo identification.
• Pay the applicable fees, including a biometrics fee if you are between the ages of 14 and 79.

It is important to note that a refugee travel document does not guarantee readmission to the U.S. You must still undergo inspection by a Customs and Border Patrol officer upon your return. Additionally, you should never travel to the country from which you claimed persecution in your asylum or refugee application, as this could affect your status in the U.S.

Frequently asked questions