On: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

[yandie]

If your L1 runs out before the GC is approved, you are allowed to stay in the US.

Without the EAD, you will NOT be able to work until the GC is approved.

Why is it not automatic? I assume USCIS doesn't want people to just get work authorization by filing frivolous i485 applications

[bubblethink → yandie]

Well, it can be issued to any filed 485 provided the i140 is also approved. By the numbers, that's the majority of people. But that's also not what they do. It's just an employment scheme for the government. Makes money and provides jobs.