If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may fall into one of three categories of people who are eligible to work in the United States.

• Category 1: You may be authorized to work in the United States because of your immigration status.
• Category 2: You may be authorized to work for a specific employer as a result of your nonimmigrant status.
• Category 3: You may be in an immigration  category that requires you to request work authorization.

To be legally employed in the United States, you are required to present documentation to an employer to show that you are authorized to work in the United States.

• U.S. citizens can meet this requirement by showing proof of their U.S. citizenship and a valid identity document.
• Lawful permanent residents can meet this requirement by showing their Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
• Refugees can meet this requirement by showing their Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, which has a red stamp indicating employment is authorized.
• Asylees (people granted asylum in the United States) can meet this requirement by presenting an unrestricted Social Security card, EAD and/or Form I-94 that has a red stamp indicating employment is authorized.
• Certain nonimmigrant visa holders who are eligible to work for a specific employer can show their Form I-94 Arrival-Departure record with their nonimmigrant visa, which will indicate the name of the employer for whom you are authorized to work. You can get information from your Form I-94 by visiting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
• Most others will need to request employment authorization, or evidence of employment authorization incident to status, and receive an EAD as proof of their employment authorization before they may work in the United States.

To obtain authorization to be employed in the United States, or evidence of your authorization incident to status, you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. An individual required to obtain employment authorization must file before beginning employment.

You should:

• Complete the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.  Review the form instructions for directions on completing the Form I‑765.
• Submit the Filing Fee(s).  Include the appropriate filing fee with the Form I-765 and biometric services fee (if applicable).
• Submit evidence.  Include all required initial evidence and supporting documentation for the Form I-765.

Sign and File the Form I-765.  File the application at the correct filing location according to form instructions. An optional checklist may be available to assist you with filing the form for certain categories.

Once USCIS receives your Form I-765, we will process your application and you will receive:

• A receipt notice of your forms and worksheet,
• A notice for your biometrics appointment date, and
• A written notice of a decision.

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, $410 filing fee

Biometrics fee, $85 (if applicable)