Work Permits & Travel Documents

How to Work or Travel While Your Immigration Case Is Pending? Check Here

If you are waiting on a green card, asylum, or another immigration decision, you may still be able to work legally and travel outside the U.S. while your case is processing. This is possible through two separate but commonly used documents:

• The Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as a work permit
• Advance Parole, also known as a travel document

Below we explain what these documents do, who can apply, and how they help you stay safe and prepared while your case is pending.

Work Authorization

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) allows certain individuals to work legally in the United States while their immigration application is pending. Not everyone is automatically eligible. Eligibility depends on your current immigration status or the type of application you have filed with USCIS. To apply, you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Travel Permission

Advance Parole is a travel document that allows certain individuals with a pending immigration application to leave the United States and return without abandoning their case. Traveling without first obtaining the appropriate travel document can have serious immigration consequences, including the abandonment of a pending application. To apply, you must file Form I-131 with USCIS before departing.

EAD Benefits

An approved EAD allows you to work for any employer in the United States during the validity period shown on the card. It also serves as a valid List A document for Form I-9 employment eligibility verification. Depending on your eligibility category, the EAD may be renewable.

Advance Parole

Advance Parole allows you to travel outside the United States and apply for reentry while your immigration case remains pending. It is most commonly used by individuals with a pending Form I-485. Having an Advance Parole document does not guarantee admission into the United States upon return. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer makes the final determination at the port of entry.

Pending Case

If you have a pending immigration case and need to work or travel, it is important to understand which documents apply to your specific situation before taking any action. Leaving the United States without the correct travel authorization, or working without an approved EAD, can have serious consequences for your case. An immigration work permit lawyer can review your situation and help you understand your options.

What Is a Work Permit (EAD)?

A work permit allows you to legally work in the United States while your immigration application is pending. It’s issued by USCIS as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and typically lasts for 1 or 2 years, depending on your case type.

You may be eligible for a work permit if you:

• Have a pending adjustment of status (green card) application

• Are applying for asylum, TPS, DACA, or VAWA

• Have deferred action or parole

• Hold certain humanitarian or family-based statuses

Understanding Your Combo Card: Travel and Work Benefits

When applying for both a work permit and travel document together (usually with a green card application), USCIS may issue a combo card, a single document that serves as both your EAD and Advance Parole.

Dual Authorization

The combo card combines two separate authorizations into one document. It serves as both an Employment Authorization Document and an Advance Parole document, allowing the holder to work legally and travel outside the United States while their adjustment of status application is pending.

Work Permit

The combo card functions as a valid Employment Authorization Document, allowing you to work legally in the United States while your Form I-485 is pending. Employers may accept it as a List A document when completing Form I-9 employment eligibility verification.

Travel Permission

The combo card also serves as an Advance Parole document, allowing you to travel outside the United States and return while your green card application is pending. Having this document does not guarantee reentry. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer makes the final determination at the port of entry.

One Document

Rather than carrying a separate EAD card and a paper Advance Parole document, the combo card consolidates both into a single card. This applies to certain applicants who file Form I-765 and Form I-131 concurrently with or after filing Form I-485.

USCIS Issued

The combo card is issued by USCIS after both the EAD and Advance Parole applications are approved. It is not available to all applicants. Eligibility is limited to certain individuals with a pending family or employment-based Form I-485. Your attorney can confirm whether you qualify for a combo card based on your specific situation.

Why Legal Guidance Helps

Work permits and travel documents are often denied for avoidable mistakes, like:

• Missing evidence

• Incomplete forms

• Traveling without valid reentry permission

• Filing under the wrong eligibility category

We ensure your application is done correctly, on time, and with the right strategy.

Understanding the Process for Work Permits and Travel Documents

Eligibility Check

Before filing, it is important to confirm that you qualify for the document you are applying for. Eligibility for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) depends on your current immigration status or the type of application you have pending with USCIS. Eligibility for Advance Parole depends on your specific situation, such as a pending Form I-485 or a pending asylum application. Not every immigration status qualifies for both documents.

Form Preparation

To apply for an EAD, you file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. To apply for Advance Parole, you file Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. Both applications require supporting documentation, which varies depending on your eligibility category. Incomplete or incorrect filings can result in delays or denials.

USCIS Filing

Once your forms and supporting documents are prepared, they are submitted to USCIS. Filing instructions, including where to send your application, depend on your eligibility category and whether you are filing concurrently with another application such as Form I-485. USCIS will issue a receipt notice confirming that your application has been accepted.

Biometrics Appointment

After filing, USCIS may schedule a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC). At this appointment, your fingerprints and photograph are collected. You will receive a notice in the mail with your appointment date, time, and location. Attending this appointment is required for your application to move forward.

Card Approval

If USCIS approves your application, your EAD card will be produced and mailed to the address you provided. If you applied for Advance Parole, you will receive an advance parole document. Having an approved travel document does not guarantee reentry into the United States. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer makes the final determination at the port of entry.