EAD, I-765, I-131

Work permits and travel documents

Many people in the United States need permission to work or to travel while a case is pending. A work permit, formally an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), proves permission to work for a set period. Travel documents let certain applicants and permanent residents leave and return without abandoning a case or a status. We confirm the right category, file on time and plan around travel.

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Last reviewed September 2026

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Advance parole is permission, granted before departure, to return to the United States after travel abroad. A person with a pending green card application who leaves without it generally abandons the application, with exceptions for some workers in H or L status.

See the glossary

Who this is for

Green card applicants who need to work or travel while the case is pending
Asylum applicants, TPS holders and others eligible for work permits
Permanent residents planning a long stay abroad
Refugees and asylees who need to travel

How we help

Right category: We identify the eligibility category, which controls the evidence, the fee and how long the card is valid.
Renewal timing: We file renewals early, because automatic extensions ended for most renewal applications filed on or after 30 October 2025.
Travel planning: We advise on advance parole, reentry permits and refugee travel documents, and on the risks of travel in each case.
Errors and delays: We correct card errors and follow up on cases that exceed normal processing times.

Forms involved

I-765Application for Employment Authorization
I-131Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records

Government filing fees are listed on our filing fees page.

Timeline

Work permits commonly take a few months, and times vary by category. Since December 2025, new work permits in several categories, including pending green card and asylum applicants, are valid for at most 18 months, so renewals come around more often. A reentry permit is generally valid for up to two years.

Document checklist

A starting list. We send a checklist for your case after the consultation.

Current work permit or travel document, if renewing
Receipt notice for the underlying case
Passport and I-94 record
Two passport-style photographs
For a reentry permit: proof of permanent residence and planned travel dates

Questions clients ask

When can I file a renewal?

Generally up to 180 days before the current card expires.

Is my card extended while the renewal is pending?

For most renewals filed on or after 30 October 2025, no. A gap in work authorization can affect employment, so early filing matters.

What is a reentry permit?

A travel document for permanent residents who plan to stay abroad for a year or more. It helps show that the person did not intend to give up permanent residence. You must apply while in the United States, and biometrics are usually taken before you leave.

Does a reentry permit protect my path to citizenship?

No. It helps preserve permanent residence, but long absences can still break the continuous residence that naturalization requires.

Can I travel with a pending green card application?

Only with advance parole, unless you maintain H or L status or another exception applies. Leaving without it generally abandons the application.

What if my card has an error?

Errors made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be corrected without a new fee. Report them promptly.

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