A U.S. work permit is usually an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Form I-766, and most EADs expire. The expiration date appears on the front of the card. For renewal applications filed on or after October 30, 2025, filing the renewal alone generally does not extend work authorization.
You generally cannot continue working after the expiration date unless you have:
- A newly approved and valid EAD
- Another document that proves employment authorization
- A qualifying automatic extension
- Employment authorization based directly on your immigration status
Work Permit Expiration at a Glance
| Situation | Does the work authorization expire? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| EAD card with a "Card Expires" date | Yes | Renew before the expiration date |
| Pending EAD renewal filed on or after October 30, 2025 | Usually, filing alone does not extend work authorization | Wait for approval unless another exception applies |
| Certain qualifying renewal applications filed before October 30, 2025 | An automatic extension may apply | Check the EAD category, filing date and Form I-797C receipt notice |
| Work authorization based on a visa or immigration status | Usually tied to the status or Form I-94 date | Check the I-94 and status expiration dates |
| U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident | An EAD is generally unnecessary | Use acceptable Form I-9 documents instead |
When Should You Renew a Work Permit?
File Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, before your current EAD expires. USCIS recommends planning ahead because processing times vary by eligibility category and filing circumstances. You can check the current processing time for your Form I-765 category on the USCIS processing-times website.
Do not assume that filing a renewal lets you keep working. The answer depends on:
- Your EAD category
- The date USCIS received your renewal application
- Whether you filed on time
- Whether you filed under the same eligibility category
- Whether a separate TPS, DED or status-based extension applies
Does Filing a Renewal Automatically Extend a Work Permit?
No. Filing a renewal does not automatically extend work authorization for every applicant.
DHS ended the general automatic extension of EAD validity for certain renewal applications filed on or after October 30, 2025. As a result, a pending renewal filed on or after that date generally does not, by itself, authorize employment after the EAD expires.
Some applicants with eligible renewal applications filed before October 30, 2025 may still qualify for an automatic extension of up to 540 days. The extension depends on the applicable rules, the EAD category and the documents available. It may also apply to certain employment-based immigration categories and other covered situations.
What Happens if Your Work Permit Expires?
If your work authorization has expired and no extension or other authorization applies, you generally must stop working. Your employer may also need to reverify your employment authorization on Form I-9.
You may not be able to start a new job until you provide valid employment authorization. Working without authorization can lead to immigration and employment consequences.
An expired EAD does not always mean that your underlying immigration case or status has ended. It may mean that you no longer have a document showing permission to work. Check both the EAD and the immigration status or application that supports it.
Can You Work While Waiting for a Renewed Permit?
Only if a valid exception or automatic extension covers you.
Possible sources of employment authorization include:
- A qualifying EAD renewal rule
- Temporary Protected Status, also known as TPS
- Deferred Enforced Departure, also known as DED
- Certain dependent-spouse statuses, including qualifying H-4, E or L-2 status
- A valid nonimmigrant status that provides employment authorization based on the status itself
Some workers are authorized to work through their immigration status and do not need an EAD card for employment verification. For example, certain L-2 spouses may use Form I-94 evidence of employment authorization instead of an EAD.
How Long Is a U.S. Work Permit Valid?
It depends on the EAD category. USCIS has allowed some initial and renewal EADs to be issued for up to five years, but not every applicant receives a five-year work permit.
The expiration date printed on the individual EAD controls unless a specific automatic extension or government announcement applies.
What Should You Check on Your Work Permit?
Check the front of your EAD for:
- Card Expires: the card's expiration date
- Category: the immigration category supporting your work authorization
- A-number: your USCIS identification number
- Restrictions or annotations: information that may affect employment verification
Also check your:
- Form I-94 expiration date
- Visa or immigration status
- Form I-797C receipt notice
- USCIS case status
- Applicable TPS or DED notices
Bottom Line
Check the expiration date, EAD category and any renewal documents before you work. A pending Form I-765 does not by itself prove that you can continue working after the EAD expires. You need a valid EAD, another acceptable employment authorization document or a rule that extends your authorization.