Its not the same as a green card... its a conditional permission top work here... it has an expiration date...

The EAD is a work permit for some eligible aliens issued by the USCIS (formerly known as the INS). In the application process for an EAD, the alien is the applicant as well as the beneficiary. Furthermore, the EAD is not employer-specific. Thus, the holder of an EAD can work for any employer in the United States.

Not sure about legal residence though... still reading info on this.


Edit: EAD does not grant you legal residency... not permanent anyway from what I am reading. Only allows you to work here for a specific period and it either gets renewed or you have to leave.

Someone far better versed in this area will answer... so be patient.


Cut and pasted from the net... on a legal site...

In my practice, I have many people who tell me that they are on EAD status or have EAD status and are trying to figure out if they need an advance parole for travel or if they can change employers. The reality is, EAD is not a status and shouldn't be considered as such.
1 What is an EAD?
The EAD or Employment Authorization Document is given when someone has an immigrant application (I-485) pending. When someone is here working under a temporary employment visa such as the H1B, they don't need employment authorization as the H1B allows employment at a particular company. As the I-485 would, if approved grant permanent residency to the person and thus the legal right to work here, there is no need for the employment authorization card unless the I-485 is pending and the first status is expiring. Following are several examples of work authorization scenarios.

And I got this...

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD), EAD card, known popularly as a "work permit", is a document issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides its holder a legal right to work in the United States of America. It should not be confused with the green card.

Certain aliens who are temporarily in the United States may file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request an EAD. The Employment Authorization Document is issued for a specific period of time based on alien's immigration situation. If an alien possess a valid EAD, he or she is authorized to freely work in the United States without their employer having to file a non-immigrant worker petition. Currently the EAD is issued in the form of a standard credit card-size plastic card enhanced with multiple security features. The EAD card contains some basic information about alien: name, birth date, sex, immigrant category, country of birth, photo, alien registration number (A number), card number, restrictive terms and conditions, and dates of validity.

If you have an EAD, you are definitely not a US permanent resident.