What Is a Work Permit? Employer Guide to Work Authorization

Hiring a foreign national or a first-time teenage employee both raise the same underlying question: is this person authorized to work? Employers are responsible for verifying work authorization using Form I-9l. Getting this step right protects a business from significant compliance risk later.

What Is a Work Permit?

A work permit is an official document that authorizes an individual to work legally in the United States. The term covers two distinct situations: federal work authorization for foreign nationals, known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and state-issued permits required for minors entering the workforce.

An EAD, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), gives eligible foreign nationals the legal right to work in the country. The card includes an expiration date, and employers must track it closely.

In the minor employment context, a work permit refers to a state-issued document, sometimes called an employment certificate, that a young worker needs before starting a job. Requirements vary by state and by the minor's age.

In both cases, work authorization is a separate concept from immigration status. A person can hold valid immigration status without automatic permission to work, which is why the verification step matters so much for employers.

Work Permit vs. Work Visa

Employers sometimes use "work permit" and "work visa" interchangeably, but they serve different functions.

• A Work Visa (H-1B, L-1, and similar categories) grants permission to enter the United States for employment purposes.
• An EAD authorizes the approval to work once someone is here.

Some visa holders receive automatic work authorization tied to their visa status, while others must apply separately for an EAD. The employer takeaway is straightforward: verify the EAD or another acceptable List A document, not just the visa itself.

Who Needs a Work Permit?

Work permit requirements depend on a person's status and age.

• Foreign nationals without permanent resident status or a work-authorizing visa need an EAD. This group includes certain visa holders, asylum seekers, and DACA recipients.
• Minors, typically under 18 though the exact threshold varies by state, often need a state-issued work permit before starting a job.
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents do not need a work permit, but they still must complete Form I-9 like every other new hire.

Whichever category applies, verification works the same way: employers complete Form I-9 for every new hire, and an EAD is a List A document that establishes both identity and work authorization. The Form I-9 guide covers the full process, acceptable documents, and retention rules.

Work Permit Expiration and Re-Verification

Work authorization is not always permanent, and employers need a plan for what happens when it expires.

• EADs and other time-limited authorizations expire. Employers must track expiration dates and re-verify before the authorization lapses.
• Allowing an employee to continue working after authorization expires is a federal violation. Building expiration tracking into onboarding is a common compliance best practice.

A proactive tracking process turns a compliance risk into a routine administrative task.