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Need a Work Permit? Let Your Trusted Work Permit Lawyer Help!
Are you immigrating to the United States and would like to work while you’re here? You’ll need a Green Card (permanent resident card), an employment visa, or a work permit. Any one of these documents will give you the means to work legally in the United States. At Abogada Ashley, we have the expertise and experience to help you obtain a work permit.
Whether or not you’re currently in the United States or already possess any form of immigration status, we can help.
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What is a Work Permit?
A work permit is a legal document (photo identification card) issued by the U.S. government that will allow you, as a non-citizen, to work in the United States temporarily. Work permits are also called Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). While you don’t have to be a permanent resident of the U.S. to obtain a work permit, you do have to have an immigrant or non-immigrant visa that makes it possible for you to live and work here or you need to have certain types of immigration applications pending in order to qualify for work authorization.
A work permit costs between $410 and $495 and can take two months to approximately one year to obtain depending on how you qualify. The variations are due to the reason for your application and where you live. Not all applicants have to pay the filing fee.
The Differences Between a Work Permit and a Visa
Some people need clarification on visas and work permits. Here’s the difference:
- Work Permits – These are renewable employment authorization cards that aren’t associated with any particular employer. They allow you to work anywhere in the U.S. as long as you maintain an immigration status that lets you keep working or as long as you have an application in process that qualifies you for the work permit.
- Work Visas – These will enable you to work in the U.S. for a specific employer. The employer applies on your behalf, and your visa is valid as long as you work for that employer in the U.S.
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Who is Eligible for a Work Permit?
You may make an application for a work permit on your own or through a work permit lawyer like the experts at Abogada Ashley.
Here is who is eligible for a work permit:
- Asylees
- DACA recipients
- Immigrants with pending Green Card applications
- K-1 Fiance visa holders
- Immigrants with Extraordinary Abilities
- Immigrants with Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Approved temporary workers
- Some exchange visitors
- F-1 students having financial difficulties who want to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Some U visa applicants who have received a Bona Fide Determination letter
How to Apply for a Work Permit
Applying for a work permit is a five-step process:
- Apply for an Immigration Status that lets you work
- Complete a Form I-765 from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) being sure to select the correct category upon which you qualify for a work permit
- Collect your six supporting documents, including passport photos and proof of your current visa and/or pending application that qualifies you for a work permit
- Pay your filing fee by money order, personal check, cashier's check or credit card
- Submit your form to the USCIS, including a cover letter
Why Choose Abogada Ashley
While the application process for a work permit isn’t complicated, it can still be intimidating and confusing if you are unfamiliar with the eligibility categories. Any mistake in your application can lead to a denial and lost filing fees or a request for evidence which can delay the processing of your application. If you’re concerned about the process, the immigration professionals at Abogada Ashley are happy to handle your application. We have offices in two locations – Carlsbad, California, and Bend, Oregon to meet your immigration needs. And if you live in another state in the U.S., that’s ok! We can still assist you because we only practice immigration law, which is federal law.
We’re compassionate and dedicated and offer personalized legal representation to you and your loved ones. Our job is to empower those without lawful status and keep families together. At Abogada Ashley, we’re passionate about changing people’s lives for the better. Contact us today.
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