While your asylum case is pending, you are not allowed to work legally unless you apply for and receive an EAD from USCIS. This card gives you formal permission to work while waiting for a decision on your asylum application.

Filing for asylum in the United States does not automatically grant you the right to work. As an asylum seeker, you must take additional steps to obtain legal permission to work while your case is pending. Specifically, you need to submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form is your official request for a work permit, also known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). However, eligibility for the EAD is subject to strict conditions, including a mandatory waiting period and adherence to case-related deadlines.

Applying for asylum doesn’t give you permission to work right away. You must first get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. If you work without it, it’s considered unauthorized and can affect your application.