What is a Work Permit?
In the United States, a "work permit" is an Employment Authorization Document issued by the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is issued to non-citizens and non-permanent-residents in order to track non-resident workers within the U.S. You can either apply for an EAD online through the USCIS website or go to a field office to process the paperwork.
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Significance
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Without an Employment Authorization Document, non-citizens (and people who are not legal permanent residents of the United States) are not employable in the United States.
Identification
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The current version of an EAD looks much like a driver's license, showing a picture of the worker on the front with the worker's identifying information (including a thumbprint) and bearing a scannable field on the back.
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Considerations
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If you're a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. over the age of 18 (and you can prove your citizenship using U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9), you don't need to show an Employment Authorization Document.
Warning
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Stiff penalties, both federal and state, may apply to any company which hires workers without proof of citizenship or an EAD.
Misconceptions
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An EAD and a "green card" are two completely different documents. Though a "green card" also authorizes the bearer to work in the U.S., holding an EAD doesn't mean you're legally qualified as a citizen or permanent resident.
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