Can You Work While Waiting for Your Green Card?

The Short Answer: Usually Yes

If your I-485 adjustment of status application is pending, you can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that allows you to work for any employer in the United States. This is one of the biggest benefits of filing I-485 — even before your green card is approved, you gain work flexibility.

The EAD Work Permit Route

When you file I-485, you simultaneously file Form I-765 for an EAD. Current processing times run 3-8 months depending on the service center. Once approved, the EAD is valid for 2 years and allows you to work for any employer without visa sponsorship. Your spouse can also file for an EAD if they are included on the I-485.

If you are on H-1B status, you have a choice: continue working on your H-1B (which is employer-specific) or switch to EAD-based employment (which is open). Many professionals maintain their H-1B as a backup while keeping the EAD available. The risk of using the EAD is that if your I-485 is denied, you cannot fall back to H-1B status.

Working Without Filing I-485

If your priority date is not yet current and you cannot file I-485, you continue working on whatever visa you currently hold (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.). The April 2026 Visa Bulletin shows that EB-2 is now current for most countries, meaning more people can file I-485 and get EADs than ever before.

The H-4 EAD Option

If you are the spouse of an H-1B holder with an approved I-140, you may be eligible for an H-4 EAD. This allows you to work while your spouse waits for their green card. Processing times for H-4 EADs have been significantly delayed in 2026, running 6-12 months in many cases.