Employment
Immigrants bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and job experiences to the state of Maine. With our rapidly aging demographics, their contributions are especially welcome and appreciated!
Understanding what employment rules apply to different immigration statuses, however, can be complicated.
Under federal law, most immigrants, regardless of immigration status, have the right to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and open their own business or work as an independent contractor. (Note that this is not true for F-1 student visa holders.)
Only immigrants with work authorization papers (also called a work permit), however, have the right to work for another individual or for someone else's company.
Volunteers should take care NOT to help someone without work authorization find employment as this is unlawful.
Please refer anyone who is unsure what their immigration status does and doesn't allow them to do to the MMCC staff and we will help them to get the legal advice necessary.
Please consult the Independent Living Checklist for employment, career and small business resources in the Bangor area that may be valuable to new Mainers.