When you move to the United States with your family, you know finding a job to support your loved ones is a priority. It is necessary to get a job quickly to ensure you have a consistent income.
However, things like this are not automatic and you may wonder how long it will be until you can search for a job. You want to avoid situations where you are paid under the table or anything that violates U.S. labor laws and may put your immigration status at risk.
Start with your status
To know when you can begin working, you have to know your status and what documentation you have in place.
Some immigrants must acquire an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which is a work permit. If you have not received this, it is required before you can work. For some, this delays their ability to begin working since the government must process the request.
The situation is different for those who have received their green card and are moving to the U.S. to work. Your green card permits you to begin working immediately. This is a common situation in cases of family immigration.
An example would be if you received a travel visa to live in the U.S., married, and acquired your green card. Now that you are married, you plan to move to the U.S. permanently and with the green card, you can begin working.
Understanding your right to work
As an immigrant, there are many laws and requirements you must follow and meet. You must know these to avoid violating the law and putting your immigration status at risk of being revoked.