This information is for people who are afraid to return to their country and applied for asylum in the United States. You can apply for a work permit about 5 months after you apply for asylum. The first work permit application is $560. The application form is online or on paper at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Go to the Asylum Seekers Advocacy Project (ASAP) website to learn how to apply for a work permit. ASAP can help you understand how to help yourself.
Last Reviewed: July 15, 2026