In many cases, you can continue working if you filed a timely renewal of your work permit and qualify for an automatic extension. USCIS allows certain categories to receive an automatic extension while the renewal is pending, as long as the application was filed before expiration. Your receipt notice, combined with the expired card, may be enough for employment verification. Employers sometimes need guidance, so providing official USCIS instructions can help avoid interruptions.

If you do not qualify for an automatic extension, you must stop working once your current work authorization expires. Continuing to work without authorization can cause serious problems for your green card case. To avoid this, it is important to file renewals early and monitor expiration dates closely. If there is a gap, speaking with an attorney about alternative options is wise.