H4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

EAD: Your Work Authorization to a Glorious Career
The EAD, or Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765), is a golden key for foreign immigrants harboring the dream of building a career in the US. Commonly known as a “work permit” or “employment authorization card,” the Form I-765 also allows you to work while awaiting your Green Card approval.
Issued by the USCIS, EADs are photo identification cards that immigrants and foreign nationals can use to prove to prospective US employers their eligibility to be employed in the United States for a specified period.
The EAD card has details such as the cardholder’s name, date of birth, photo, visa classification, and the specific dates they are authorized to be employed in the US. Fortunately, obtaining a work permit is a relatively straightforward process, especially if you file the work permit application (I-765) simultaneously with the rest of your green card application.
Applying for an EAD is a tricky process that requires accuracy, promptness, and sound guidance from reputed immigration law firms. The Law Offices of Mary Kennedy is experienced in helping hundreds of EAD applicants handle the intricacies of the process.
Waste no time in consulting with our lawyers. Now is the time to apply for your EAD
EAD: Eligibility Criteria

- K-1 Fiance Visa holders
- DACA recipients
- Asylum seekers
- Refugees
- Certain exchange visitors
- Temporary workers with approval
- Extraordinarily talent immigrants
- Immigrants with pending Adjustment of Status (green card) applications
- Certain family members of E, L, or J visa holders who can pursue work in the U.S. independently of their spouse
- H-4 Spouses of H-1B visa holders are subject to strict entry requirements.
- F-1 students facing financial difficulties and wishing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Immigrants with Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Only after the EAD card is approved and delivered can the applicant pursue a job in the US. Although the EAD is not associated with any specific US company, it provides complete labor market access. The EAD is exempt for US citizens, Green Card holders, and Conditional Permanent Residents.
For more information, refer to the instructions on Form I-765 issued by the USCIS. The Form also has a complete list of immigration statuses that permit you to work with an EAD in the US. You can also contact our H4 EAD attorney for additional guidance.
Get Started On Your EAD Application

EAD: Requirement Documents
When you approach the Law Offices of Mary Kennedy, our H4 EAD lawyers will ask you to collect the following documents to file your Form I-765:
- Copy of your passport photo page
- Copy of your US visa
- Two recent passport-style photos of yourself, each measuring 2 inches by 2 inches.
- Copies of prior work permits (front and back)
- Copy of your I-94 travel record (front and back), if available, or a printout of your electronic I-94 obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- A copy of the official acknowledgment letter from USCIS indicating that your Form I-485 or green card application is still pending, provided that:
- Your sponsor owns a Green Card
- Your sponsor is a U.S. citizen, and you’re requesting a work permit after having submitted your green card application (which would be uncommon)
If you have never received a work permit before, you are required to provide a copy of:
- Government-issued photo identity
- Birth certificate
- Any national identification document with your photo and/or fingerprint.
- A copy of the visa granted by a consulate of a country other than the United States.
EAD applicants must submit Form I-765. However, the specific evidence required will differ based on individual circumstances.
Employment Authorization Document: The Benefits
Work legally for multiple US employers
Work without additional work permits
Extend your work authorization
Explore career opportunities for various job roles across industries in the US.
Maintain legal status while changing jobs without the need for visa sponsorship
Apply for various visa categories like Adjustment of Status, Family-based applications, and to seek asylum.
Apply for dependent work authorization for eligible spouses in specific visa categories.
Employment Authorization Document: More to Explore
Is it possible to apply for EAD while awaiting an application for Adjustment of Status?
Yes, it is possible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document while the Adjustment of Status petition is pending. Also, if you haven’t used the Adjustment of Status along with the EAD, you may apply for it at a later date. A filing fee does not have to be included as it is already included in the cost for the AOS.
What is the validity period of a work permit?
Work permits issued through the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process are valid for two years. It is applicable for initial EADs for first-time applicants and renewal EADs during the AOS pending period.
How should I proceed if I do not receive my EAD within three months?
If you do not receive your EAD within 90 days of mailing your application, you may request a service on day 75 to expedite the processing.
Can I file an appeal if my EAD application is denied?
No, you cannot appeal a denied decision to a higher authority. You can, however, submit a motion to reopen or reconsider with the office that made the favorable decision.