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For most adults in Michigan, permission to work is a federal immigration matter, not a state-issued permit. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decides many applications for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), while some immigration statuses authorize work without a separate EAD.
Eligibility depends on the person’s immigration category and circumstances. Applying for an EAD does not itself create eligibility, and the application, renewal deadline, and supporting evidence depend on the category.
Employers in Michigan must verify employees’ identity and work authorization through the federal Form I-9 process. A separate Michigan process applies to many workers under age 18: state youth-employment rules generally require a minor work permit before the minor starts work.
An immigration lawyer may help with federal work authorization, status, and employer-related immigration issues. A minor’s work permit question may instead call for guidance from the school or state agency responsible for the permit.
Your EAD was denied or delayed: A lawyer can review the notice, identify deadlines, and assess whether a motion, appeal, or new application is available.
Your status or work authorization is about to expire: A lawyer can help assess renewal timing and whether a pending application or another status affects your ability to work.
You have a complex immigration history: Prior overstays, removal proceedings, criminal issues, or inaccurate past filings can affect eligibility and may require careful review before applying.
Your employer questions your documents or threatens to terminate you: A lawyer can explain the immigration rules and help distinguish a lawful verification request from possible discrimination or improper document demands.
You are changing jobs or immigration categories: Work authorization rules differ by category. A lawyer can assess whether the change affects your work eligibility or requires a new filing.
A minor needs permission to work: If the issue concerns a Michigan minor work permit rather than immigration status, confirm the issuing process with the minor’s school or the Michigan labor agency before work begins.
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), including section 274A, 8 U.S.C. § 1324a: This federal law restricts hiring people who are not authorized to work and requires employers to verify employment eligibility. The employer-sanctions provisions were added by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, enacted November 6, 1986.
Federal employment-verification regulations, 8 C.F.R. part 274a: These regulations address employment authorization, Form I-9 verification, and related employer obligations. They apply to employers and workers in Michigan as well as elsewhere in the United States.
Michigan Youth Employment Standards Act, 1978 PA 90, MCL 409.101 et seq.: This state law governs many aspects of employing minors, including work permits and limits on youth employment. The act took effect January 1, 1979; exemptions and requirements can depend on the minor’s age and type of work.
No. Adult immigration-based employment authorization is generally governed by federal law and handled by USCIS, not by a Michigan work-permit office. Michigan does have a separate work-permit process for many workers under age 18.
Only people who qualify under a federal immigration category may apply. Eligibility can depend on factors such as a pending immigration application, a humanitarian status, or another specific basis, and some statuses authorize work without an EAD.
A pending application does not generally give a person permission to work. Whether you can continue working depends on your current status, existing authorization, and any category-specific rules.
Processing times vary by application category and USCIS workload. Check the current USCIS processing-time information for the correct form and category, and avoid relying on a single estimated timeline as a guarantee.
USCIS fees depend on the form, eligibility category, and rules in effect when you file. Some applicants may qualify for a fee waiver, while attorney fees are separate and vary by lawyer and case complexity.
Not every applicant needs a lawyer, and some straightforward applications can be filed without one. Legal help can be valuable when eligibility is uncertain, there is a prior denial, or a filing could affect immigration status or future applications.
Read the denial notice carefully because it explains the reason and may identify a deadline or available response. A lawyer can assess whether the facts support a motion, appeal, or different application; the available options depend on the case.
Employers must complete federal employment-eligibility verification, but they generally cannot demand specific documents when an employee presents acceptable documents. If an employer rejects valid documents or treats workers differently because of citizenship or national origin, consider getting legal advice.
No. A minor work permit concerns state youth-employment rules, while an EAD is a federal document showing immigration-based employment authorization. A minor who is not otherwise authorized to work in the United States may need to satisfy both sets of requirements.
Many minors must obtain a permit before starting work, with the process involving the minor, employer, and an authorized issuing office, often through the school. Requirements and exceptions can vary by age and job, so check current state guidance before work begins.
Some applicants may receive an automatic extension of employment authorization when they timely file an eligible renewal, but not every category qualifies. Check the current USCIS rules and your filing receipt before continuing to work.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Provides federal forms, eligibility information, filing instructions, and processing-time updates for employment authorization.
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity: Provides state information on youth employment standards, including Michigan minor work permits and restrictions on employing minors.
State Bar of Michigan: Offers public information and lawyer-referral resources that can help people locate a Michigan attorney and check professional status.
Identify the type of authorization involved. Determine whether the issue concerns a federal EAD, work permission tied to an immigration status, an employer verification problem, or a Michigan minor work permit. This can prevent contacting a lawyer whose practice does not match the issue.
Gather key records before contacting lawyers. Collect immigration notices, prior applications, EADs, passport or status documents, and employer communications. For a minor-permit issue, gather the job details and any school or permit paperwork.
Make a shortlist within a few days. Use the State Bar of Michigan’s lawyer-referral resources or other reliable directories to identify attorneys who handle immigration and employment authorization matters. For a state minor-permit issue, check whether the lawyer handles youth-employment law.
Verify the lawyer’s license and relevant experience. Confirm active Michigan licensure through the State Bar and ask about experience with the specific application category, denial, or employer issue. Ask who will handle the case and how the lawyer will communicate updates.
Compare consultations and written fee terms. Ask whether the consultation is paid, what services the quoted fee covers, and whether filing fees or responses to further USCIS requests cost extra. Get the scope of representation and payment terms in writing before hiring.
Review deadlines promptly. At the first meeting, ask the lawyer to identify filing, renewal, response, or appeal deadlines and agree on a document-submission schedule. Do not wait for a consultation if a notice gives a near-term deadline.
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The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content, legal information may change over time, and interpretations of the law can vary. You should always consult with a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.
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