Work Permits (EAD) in Houston
The work permit — the EAD — is the card that lets you work legally in the United States. We help you identify your category, file Form I-765 without errors, and renew on time so you never have to stop working.
More than a card: the peace of mind of working legally
The EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is the official card USCIS issues to authorize you to work. With it you can get a Social Security number, work legally for any employer — you are not tied to a single company — and build a clean work and tax history. For thousands of working families in the East End, Magnolia Park, Gulfton, and Pasadena, that card is the difference between living in fear and living with stability.
Here is the detail many people miss: you do not apply for a work permit "by itself." Eligibility always comes from an underlying case or category — for example, a pending asylum application, TPS, DACA, a pending adjustment of status, or parole, among other categories. If you are not sure what your basis is, that is exactly where our immigration practice starts: reviewing your full situation and telling you honestly whether you may qualify and under which category.
Getting it right the first time matters too. A wrong category code, incomplete evidence, or photos that do not meet the requirements can set your permit back by months — or get the application rejected. And once you have it, renewing early is key: automatic-extension rules exist for some categories, but not all of them, and nobody wants to tell their employer they lost their authorization because they waited too long.
Schedule your appointment
5 steps to get and keep your permit
01. Identify your category
We review your immigration case to confirm which EAD category applies to you. The wrong code is one of the most common reasons applications get rejected, and we fix it before anything goes out.
02. Prepare the I-765
We complete Form I-765 fully and consistently with your file, verify the current fee — or whether you may qualify for a waiver — and assemble the package ready to be filed.
03. The right evidence
We gather proof of your underlying case, your identity documents, and photos that actually meet USCIS specifications, so your application does not stall over an avoidable detail.
04. Follow up with USCIS
We track your receipt and your case, alert you if USCIS requests additional evidence, and walk you through any appointment your case may require, whether fingerprints or the local USCIS office in Houston.
05. Renewal calendar
We mark your renewal date months in advance and verify whether your category carries an automatic extension, so you are never left without a permit because of a late filing.
Questions about the work permit
One important clarification before the questions: a work permit is employment authorization, not immigration status. If the case behind it falls through or lapses, the permit is left hanging. That is why, when we help you with your EAD, we also keep an eye on the health of your main case.
Can I get a work permit while my immigration case is pending?
It depends on the type of case. Many people with a pending asylum application, TPS, DACA, a pending adjustment of status, or parole can apply for a work permit, each under its own category and its own rules. Other cases do not come with an EAD. Our blog explains how work permits work while a case is pending, and at your appointment we confirm exactly which category fits your situation.
How long does the work permit take?
Processing times vary by category and by the workload of the USCIS service center handling your case: some permits arrive within a few months, while others take considerably longer. What you can control is filing a complete, error-free application the first time, because a rejection or a request for additional evidence can add months to the wait.
My EAD is about to expire. What should I do?
File your renewal as early as possible; as a general rule you can do so several months before the expiration date. Some categories qualify for an automatic extension that lets you keep working while the renewal is pending, but it does not apply to every case. Verify your category with a lawyer before assuming you are covered.
Does a work permit give me legal immigration status?
No. The EAD is employment authorization, not immigration status. Your right to work rests on the case behind it — your asylum, your TPS, your adjustment of status — and if that underlying case lapses or is denied, the permit loses its foundation. That is why we watch over your main case with the same care as the permit itself.
Can I get a Social Security number with my EAD?
Yes. When you complete Form I-765 you can ask the Social Security Administration to assign your number and mail your card along with your permit, or you can apply later at a Social Security office. With your EAD and Social Security number you can work legally for any employer in Houston and keep your taxes in order.