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How to Buy a Work Permit: Legal Application Process and Costs

A work permit cannot be purchased; it requires filing Form I-765 with specific fees based on your application category.

Posted: October 26, 2026
Editor: Tessa Quinn; 4 min read

Contents

What you receive
Work Permit Application Costs and Conditions
How to Get a Work Permit
Risks, Limitations and Guarantees
Sources consulted

A work permit is not a product you can buy. The only legal document is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS after you file Form I-765[1]. You pay a filing fee, not a purchase price. Standard fees are $470 online or $520 on paper[1]. Asylum, parolee, and TPS categories pay $550 for initial applications or $275 for renewals[2]. Adjustment-of-status applicants under category (c)(9) pay $260 if they filed I-485 after 1 April 2024[2]. A biometric services fee of $85 may also apply[3]. Incorrect payment leads to rejection without processing[1]. After approval, the EAD card is produced within 2 weeks and mailed via USPS Priority Mail[4]. First step: create a USCIS account and file Form I-765 online[4].

What you receive

Employment Authorization Document (EAD): The only document that legally authorises work in the United States for most foreign nationals is an Employment Authorization Document issued by USCIS, commonly called a work permit. [1]
Form I-765 filing: To request an EAD, applicants generally must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, if they need authorisation to work because of their immigration status or circumstances. [5]
Online or paper application route: Applicants can begin the EAD application process by creating a USCIS account online and filing Form I-765, or alternatively file a paper application for Form I-765. [4]
EAD card production and delivery: After USCIS approves Form I-765, the EAD card should be produced within 2 weeks and will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail. [4]
Third-party preparation services: CitizenPath offers an online service to help prepare Form I-765 for $79, with a money-back guarantee. American Counsel offers preparation packages starting at $149 for a DIY template, $249 for personalised preparation, and $449 for professional review by a qualified lawyer. [6][7]

Work Permit Application Costs and Conditions

Application Type	Fee (Online)	Fee (Paper)	Processing Time	Requirements	Limitations
Standard I-765 (most categories)	$470	$520	Varies by category; card produced within 2 weeks after approval	Valid immigration status or pending application; correct eligibility category; biometric fee $85 may apply	Incorrect fee results in rejection; must file Form I-765
Initial EAD (asylum, TPS, parolee categories)	$550	$1,070	Varies by category; card produced within 2 weeks after approval	Pending asylum, TPS, or parolee status; biometric fee $85 may apply; fee waiver available in some cases (e.g. ABC procedures)	Higher paper fee; incorrect fee results in rejection
Renewal/extension EAD (asylum, TPS, parolee categories)	$275	$795	Varies by category; card produced within 2 weeks after approval	Existing EAD in same category; biometric fee $85 may apply; fee waiver available in some cases	Higher paper fee; incorrect fee results in rejection
I-765 with adjustment of status (c)(9) – I-485 filed on/after 1 April 2024	$260	$260	Varies; card produced within 2 weeks after approval	Form I-485 filed with fee on or after 1 April 2024 and still pending	Only for pending I-485 filed after 1 April 2024
I-765 with adjustment of status (c)(9) – I-485 filed 30 July 2007–31 March 2024	$0	$0	Varies; card produced within 2 weeks after approval	Form I-485 filed with fee between 30 July 2007 and 31 March 2024 and still pending	No separate I-765 fee required if I-485 fee was paid in this period
CitizenPath preparation service	$79 (service fee only; USCIS fees separate)	N/A	Immediate form preparation; USCIS processing time separate	Applicant provides information; service prepares Form I-765; money-back guarantee	Does not include USCIS filing fees; does not guarantee approval
American Counsel – DIY template	$149 (service fee only; USCIS fees separate)	N/A	Immediate template access; USCIS processing time separate	Applicant completes template independently	Does not include USCIS filing fees; no personalised review
American Counsel – personalised preparation	$249 (service fee only; USCIS fees separate)	N/A	Preparation time varies; USCIS processing time separate	Applicant provides information; service prepares application	Does not include USCIS filing fees; does not guarantee approval
American Counsel – professional lawyer review	$449 (service fee only; USCIS fees separate)	N/A	Review time varies; USCIS processing time separate	Applicant provides information; qualified lawyer reviews application	Does not include USCIS filing fees; does not guarantee approval

How to Get a Work Permit

Confirm your eligibility category

The only document that legally authorizes work in the United States for most foreign nationals is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS[1]. You must file Form I-765 if you need authorisation to work because of your immigration status or circumstances[5]. Your category determines the fee and required evidence.

Determine your exact filing fee

Standard online filing costs $470, and paper filing costs $520[1]. Initial asylum, parolee, or TPS applications cost $550 online or $1,070 on paper; renewals in those categories cost $275 online or $795 on paper[2][8]. Adjustment of status applicants who filed I-485 with a fee on or after April 1, 2024 pay $260 while I-485 is pending[2]. Those who filed I-485 between July 30, 2007 and March 31, 2024 pay $0[9]. A biometric services fee of $85 may apply depending on your category[3].

Prepare and submit Form I-765

Create a USCIS account online and file Form I-765, or file a paper application[4]. Review the form instructions before submitting[10]. You may use a third-party preparation service: CitizenPath charges $79[7], and American Counsel offers packages from $149 to $449[6]. These services only help complete the form; USCIS fees are paid separately.

Pay the correct fee

Each application must be accompanied by the correct fee unless you are exempt or eligible for a fee waiver[1]. Incorrect fees result in rejection without processing[1]. Certain asylum applicants under ABC procedures may qualify for a fee waiver, reducing the initial asylum EAD fee to $0 in some cases[8].

Wait for approval and card production

After USCIS approves Form I-765, the EAD card should be produced within 2 weeks[4]. The card is mailed via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail[4]. Processing time before approval varies by category and service centre.

Verify your card and work authorisation

Check that your name, category code, and validity dates on the EAD are correct. The card itself is proof of work authorisation for employers. If you filed online, monitor your USCIS account for status updates and any requests for additional evidence.

Risks, Limitations and Guarantees

USCIS does not guarantee approval of Form I-765. Filing the correct fee and form only starts the review process. Incorrect payment results in rejection without processing[1]. You cannot recover filing fees if your application is denied or rejected. Fee waivers exist for certain asylum applicants under ABC procedures, reducing the initial asylum EAD fee to $0 in some cases[8], but most categories require full payment upfront.

Third-party preparation services charge separate fees that do not include USCIS filing costs. CitizenPath offers a money-back guarantee on its $79 service[7], but this covers only the preparation fee, not the USCIS filing fee[1][2]. American Counsel packages from $149 to $449[6] similarly do not guarantee approval or refund government fees. These services only help complete the form; meeting eligibility requirements remains your responsibility.

Check your category code and fee before submitting. Standard applications cost $470 online or $520 on paper[1]. Asylum, parolee, and TPS initial applications cost $550 online or $1,070 on paper[2][8]; renewals cost $275 online or $795 on paper[2][8]. Adjustment-of-status applicants pay $260 if they filed I-485 after 1 April 2024[2], or $0 if they filed between 30 July 2007 and 31 March 2024[9]. A biometric services fee of $85 may apply depending on your category[3]. Processing time varies by service centre and category. After approval, the EAD card is produced within 2 weeks and mailed via USPS Priority Mail[4], but production delays can occur.

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