Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A work permit is a special card that allows people who are not citizens of the United States to work temporarily in the country. It is issued by the government and contains important information about the person who is authorized to work. You need to apply for a work permit if you are not a citizen and want to work in the U.S. or if you are waiting for permission to work while your immigration status is being processed.
A work permit, also known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows noncitizens to work temporarily in the United States.
If you are authorized to work in the United States because of your immigration status, such as being an asylee or refugee, you may need to apply for an EAD to provide evidence of your employment authorization. Additionally, if you have a pending application for permanent residence or asylum, or if you have a non-immigrant status that does not allow you to work without permission from USCIS, you may need to apply for an EAD.
For example, if you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you may need to apply for an EAD to work in the United States while you are studying.
The EAD is issued as a plastic card that contains a photo and basic information about the individual authorized to work. It is important to have a valid EAD if you are working in the United States as an unauthorized worker may face legal consequences.