Can I Work Without a Green Card?

You do not need a green card to work legally in the United States. Several non-immigrant visa categories and work authorization documents allow employment.

Work visas (examples):

H-1B — Specialty occupations requiring a degree.

L-1 — Intracompany transfers (managers, executives, specialized knowledge workers).

O-1 — Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.

TN — Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA.

E-1/E-2 — Treaty traders and investors.

H-2A/H-2B — Temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers.

J-1 — Exchange visitors (researchers, professors, interns).

R-1 — Religious workers.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD):

An EAD allows you to work for any employer. Categories eligible for EADs include:

Applicants for adjustment of status (pending green card)

Asylum applicants (after waiting period)

DACA recipients

Certain H-4 spouses

Students on OPT or CPT

Refugees and asylees

TPS (Temporary Protected Status) holders

What is NOT permitted:

Working on a tourist visa (B-1/B-2)

Working on a student visa (F-1) without OPT/CPT authorization

Working without any visa or authorization

Employer obligations. All U.S. employers must verify work authorization using Form I-9. Employment eligibility verification is required regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

This is legal information, not legal advice.