Adjustment of Status: Can You Work or Travel While Waiting for Your Green Card?

When you file for permanent residency from within the United States, you enter a transitional phase known as Adjustment of Status. This is a delicate period: you are no longer a simple visitor or a "non-immigrant," but you are not yet a permanent resident.

Two questions systematically arise during this time: Can I work? And can I travel internationally? Here are the essential rules to ensure you do not put your application at risk.

1. Working During Adjustment of Status: The Necessity of a Permit

Simply filing your Adjustment of Status application does not grant you the immediate right to hold a job in the United States.

Employment Authorization

To work legally, you must obtain a specific work permit linked to your pending application.

• The Timeline: This document usually arrives several months before the Green Card. It allows you to begin professional activity in full compliance with the law.

  
  

• The Risk: Working without having physically received this document is a status violation. This can complicate the final approval of your Green Card.

Special Cases

If you already hold a valid work visa tied to a specific employer, you can generally continue your activity. However, every case is unique and requires verification before any change of employer or position.

2. Traveling Abroad During Adjustment of Status: The Abandonment Trap

This is undoubtedly the most dangerous part of the Adjustment of Status procedure. Leaving the United States without prior authorization is interpreted by the government as a final abandonment of your application.

Travel Authorization

To be able to leave the country and return, you must imperatively obtain an official travel document before your departure.

• The Rule: This document serves as proof that the administration authorizes you to return and continue your residency process despite your temporary absence.

  
  

• The Consequence: If you cross the border without this document in hand, your file is cancelled instantly. you could then find yourself stuck abroad, separated from your family.

  
  

The Bottom Line

The Adjustment of Status stage requires strict discipline. While it has the advantage of allowing you to wait for your residency on American soil, it limits your freedom of movement and work until specific authorizations are issued.

A travel error or a job started too early can destroy months of preparation. Our firm is here to secure your authorization requests and ensure that your transition to a Green Card goes smoothly. Contact us for a personalized consultation.