FAQ: What Is Ead Visa Status?

Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) are granted when an individual has a pending Immigration Petition for Permanent Residence or I-485. The card permits non-citizens to legally work in the United States for a U.S. employer.

Is an EAD considered a visa?

Work Visa. Both, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a non-immigrant work visa allow the holders to work in the United States, but both documents are not the same. The eligibility requirements for an EAD is different from that of a work visa.

What is EAD visa in USA?

A Form I-766 employment authorization document (EAD; [1]) or EAD card, known popularly as a work permit, is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides temporary employment authorization to noncitizens in the United States.

What is EAD work status?

Having an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD) is one way to prove that you are allowed to work in the United States for a specific time period. To request an EAD, you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Who is eligible for EAD?

To be eligible to apply for an EAD, you must be: An application for adjustment of status to permanent resident. A spouse of an E1 treaty trader, E2 treaty investor or L1 intra-company transferee. A spouse or a child of a J1 exchange visitor.

Is an EAD a green card?

First, EAD cards allow immigrants to temporarily work for a specific job, while green card holders become permanent residents of the U.S. Another difference between these two cards is the freedoms allowed. With an EAD card, you need to file for a travel document to get in and out of the country.

Is EAD same as H1B?

The EAD is designed for non-resident aliens who are already living temporarily in the US on a non-immigrant visa. The H-1B visa is designed for foreign individuals who hold an offer of employment from a US employer. They must have specialized knowledge and hold at least a bachelor’s degree to be eligible.

Do I need H1B after EAD?

For some, there is no choice, as the employer will not extend the H1B status after the person has the EAD. All employers in the United States must accept EAD holders; employers are not required to sponsor H1Bs or other nonimmigrant categories. So, the universe of potential employers increases once one has an EAD.

How long is EAD valid for?

Most EADs are valid for one year. Obviously, however, no person will be given a work permit that lasts longer than their permitted stay in the United States.

How long after EAD do you get green card?

Immigrants who file for a work permit concurrently with their Green Card application typically fall on the longer side of that estimate, with most Green Card applicants receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in about 150 days.

Is EAD a legal status?

An EAD gives a person legal status to work in the United States but has fewer privileges than a green card. It shows an expiration date (usually one year from date issued) and is renewable. Any alien with a valid Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766 or Form I-688B) can be issued a Social Security number.

What does green card EAD mean?

The processing time for green card applications is lengthy, and oftentimes applicants want to work in the US during that time. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) permits you to do this. With an EAD foreign nationals can legally work in the US.

How long can you stay on EAD without job?

Practically forever (just half kidding). There is no time limit. With your I-485 having been filed and pending for more than 180 days you are in great shape to “port” to another employer, as long as in the “same” or “similar” “occupation”.

Can we apply EAD from India?

You cannot file an H4 EAD application from India. You should be physically present in the USA at the time of filing the H4 EAD application.

Why EAD takes so long?

The COVID-19 pandemic has of course not helped. A four-month office closure of Application Support Centers and Field Offices caused a significant delay and backlog in EAD processing across the United States.

How many types of EAD are there in USA?

To start with, there are two types of EADs. One is green card-based EAD while the other is not tied to a green card.