Work Permits in Georgia: Authorization to Work Legally

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Address: 1250 Tech Dr, Suite 240, Norcross, GA, 30093, US
Telephone: (770) 609-9396

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Official U.S. sources (USCIS, EOIR, Federal Register). Not legal advice. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.

The Employment Authorization Document (EAD), commonly known as a work permit, allows certain immigrants to work legally in the United States. It is filed using Form I-765 with USCIS and is available for multiple categories under 8 CFR § 274a.12, including adjustment of status applicants, asylees, DACA beneficiaries, TPS holders, VAWA applicants, and U-visa beneficiaries, among many others.

It is critical to file your EAD application under the correct category. Under 8 CFR § 274a.12, the categories are divided into three groups: (a) employment authorized incident to status, (b) categories requiring an EAD application, and (c) discretionary categories. Filing under the wrong category can result in a denial and complicate your immigration situation. Working without authorization is a serious violation under INA § 274A.

For EAD renewals, the automatic extension no longer applies to most new filings. Under a Department of Homeland Security rule effective October 30, 2025, and adopted as final on October 14, 2026, a renewal Form I-765 filed on or after October 30, 2025 does not automatically extend your current EAD. Timely renewals filed before that date in a category that qualified for the automatic extension keep the up to 540 day extension, and extensions set by law or by Federal Register notice, such as those for TPS, are not affected. Because your card now ends on its printed expiration date, filing early matters. Our attorneys in Norcross advise you on your specific category and file renewals with sufficient lead time.

Steps You Should Take

Determine Your EAD Category

Call (770) 609-9396. We identify under which 8 CFR § 274a.12 category you qualify and whether you need to wait for another application to be approved before you can apply for the EAD.

File with Sufficient Lead Time

USCIS generally recommends filing a renewal up to 180 days before your EAD expires. Because most renewals no longer receive an automatic extension, we prepare your renewal early so it can be filed as soon as that window opens.

Document Your Eligibility

We gather the necessary documents for your category: USCIS notices, proof of pending application, identity documents, and updated photos.

Monitoring and Renewal

We monitor the status of your application, respond to requests for additional evidence (RFE), and notify you when it is time to renew so you never lose your employment authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for a work permit?

The most common categories include: adjustment of status applicants with pending I-485 (c)(9), asylum applicants after 180 days (c)(8), DACA beneficiaries (c)(33), TPS holders (a)(12), VAWA applicants with pending I-360 (c)(31), and U-visa beneficiaries on the waiting list (c)(14). We evaluate which category applies to your case.

How long does the EAD process take?

Processing times vary from 3 to 7 months depending on the service center and category. For asylum applicants, the EAD must be issued within 30 days under certain conditions. For renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025, there is no automatic extension to cover the wait, so it is important to file as early as USCIS allows.

Is there still an automatic extension for work permit renewals?

For most people, no. A renewal filed on or after October 30, 2025 does not extend your current EAD, so your work authorization ends on the date printed on the card unless the new card arrives or another rule applies. Timely renewals filed before October 30, 2025 in a category that qualified for the automatic extension keep the up to 540 day extension, and TPS extensions set by Federal Register notice still apply. When your EAD expires, your employer must reverify your work authorization.

Can I work while waiting for my EAD?

No, unless you have employment authorization incident to status (category (a)), such as permanent residents or approved asylees. If your EAD application is pending and you have no other authorization, you must wait for approval before working.

Does unauthorized work affect future applications?

Yes. Unauthorized employment can affect naturalization applications (good moral character), adjustment of status, and can create grounds of inadmissibility. Do not work without authorization. Consult with an attorney first about your options.

📋 Documents for Work Permit (EAD)

Identity

□Passport (all pages)
□Birth certificate with translation
□2 recent passport photos

Eligibility Basis

□Copy of pending case approval (I-797)
□Evidence of eligibility category (pending asylum, DACA, TPS, etc.)
□Prior EAD (if renewal)

View full document checklist for all case types →

Applicable Laws

8 CFR § 274a.12Complete categories of individuals eligible for employment authorization in the United States.

INA § 274A / 8 USC § 1324aProhibition on unauthorized employment: unlawful for both employers and immigrants.

8 CFR § 208.7Employment authorization for asylum applicants after a 180-day waiting period.

8 CFR § 274a.13EAD renewals: no automatic extension for renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025 (90 FR 48799; final rule, Federal Register document 2026-20955).