How do I get a US work authorization (EAD card)?

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also called a work permit, authorizes foreign nationals in certain immigration categories to work in the US. You apply using Form I-765 filed with USCIS. Not everyone needs or qualifies for an EAD; some visa categories (like H-1B or L-1) provide work authorization directly as part of the visa status.

Common EAD applicants include pending adjustment of status applicants (I-485 filers), DACA recipients, asylum applicants, spouses of certain visa holders (such as H-4 spouses of H-1B holders with an approved I-140), and people granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The EAD is category-specific, meaning you must be in a qualifying status to apply.

Processing times vary by USCIS workload and have ranged from a few months to over a year in recent years. If you file the I-765 together with an I-485, you may qualify for automatic 180-day EAD extensions in some circumstances. The EAD must be renewed before expiration, and there is generally no limit on renewals as long as you remain in a qualifying category.

This is general information only, not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration lawyer or registered migration agent for your specific situation.