Dr. William:

I am in H-1B and my I-485 is pending. Recently, my current employer’s business is not good. My I use the EAD to find any job I want? Or I have to find a job in the same field as defined in my I-140 application?

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A:

The EAD is a work permit, and your current status is H-1B while I-485 is pending. If you leave your current employer or get a layoff, your status is I-485 pending only.

The EAD is not tied to a specific employer, so you may use it to work for any employer and for any work you want to. But considering your pending I-485 petition, the employment immigration requires the applicant to continue to remain in the same field as defined in your I-140 application or Labor Certification. By following the rule, you may avoid potential problems in the I-485 adjudication,