You’re moving to the United States with your family, and your priority is to provide for them. You want to work as soon as possible so that you can start to support them with a consistent income.
But how long is this going to take? When are you allowed to actually go out and apply for a job? You know that you don’t want to get paid under the table or do something else that violates labor laws and could put your status in jeopardy.
What is your current status?
The answer to this question is going to depend on your current status and the documentation that you already have in place. For instance, many immigrants need to get a work permit, which is technically known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If you don’t have this yet, you need to get it before you begin working, and that can delay the timetable depending on how long the government takes to process your request.
However, if you already have a green card and that’s why you’re moving to the United States, then it’s a bit different. Your green card itself allows you to work. This is commonly used in family immigration. For instance, maybe you were living in the United States on a travel visa, got married, and got a green card due to your spouse. You’re now moving to the United States full-time, and you can work with that green card.
This can be a complicated process, and it’s important to get it all right to protect yourself, your future and your family. Make sure that you know exactly what steps to take.