I can't seem to make my work permit work on the mission selection screens. I select it, but pressing B while holding it in front of the mission screen doesn't do anything. Anyone having the same issue?

Have an MP4 video of the issue at send.firefox.com/download/e5c16fe7e9/#Wcx5sTrQStpf0Ydx0061hw

From what I am seeing you are doing everything right gameplaywise. It worked for me but I had the same issue later with a key card. What comes to my mind right now, can you try to use the permit with keyboard controls? I had some issues with drawing my weapon when using LB so maybe sometime the controller is a bit buggy?

same problem, can't continue the game because of it

A bit late on this, but quick question: I remember, back in the day, thinking that I had the same problem you seem to be having, but it was actually that I had already accepted the mission. So, have you tried going on with the mission instructions?

The machine shows the mission description exactly as before accepting it and pressing action with the work permit on the machine make Conrad turn towards it, as if he was going to insert it, but does nothing instead (he just turns back again). Can't even see if that is how it looks to Sardaukar because the video in the link is gone.

I had the same issue - but you can just do the mission - it seems like you automatically accept but there's no indication that you have.

No, you actually need to use the permit in the machine to accept the mission, but it is easy to do so without realizing it. There is no indication that you already accepted it, that is true.