Can I apply for my work authorization if I have a valid tourist visa?

You are not eligible to obtain a work authorization based on entering with a tourist visa.
If you do work without authorization, that can have a negative impact on future visa applications.

Who Is Eligible for a Work Permit?
Formally referred to as an employment authorization document (EAD), a work permit may allow certain non-citizens of the United States, like yourself, to work here legally. While you may feel as though there is less at stake here as opposed to applying for citizenship or permanent residency, you may still…
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Can an Unlawful Presence Bar Be Waived?
It is never a good thing if federal immigration authorities find you to have an unlawful presence in the United States. This means they believe you are staying in the country without the proper authorization. This may happen because you overstayed your visa or crossed the border without the required…
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Can I Get a Green Card if I Entered the U.S. Illegally?
You may not have necessarily intended to, and now may deeply regret, illegitimately entering the United States. But this may have been quite some time ago, and since then, you may have raised a family, prospered in a professional career, and overall built a life you love here. You may…
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What Happens if My Green Card Renewal Is Denied?
You may have already accomplished the challenging feat of obtaining lawful permanent resident status in the first place. So, you may assume that renewing your green card is a routine formality. However, you must not get too comfortable here, as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) retains the…
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