Work Permit Application Process

Summary

Tourist visa holders in the U.S. Generally cannot seek employment. To work legally, you must change your visa status, which can take from 60 days to several months. Once approved, you can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Only certain family members, like spouses, parents, children, and siblings, can sponsor a relative for a Green Card; cousins cannot. Consult an immigration attorney for personalized guidance.

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tourist visa
As a holder of a tourist visa in the United States, you generally are not allowed to seek employment. It's important to follow the conditions of your visa to avoid violating U.S. immigration law. You might want to consider changing your visa status.
how long would I have to wait to work if I apply for the visa change?
The processing time for a visa status change can vary, typically ranging from 60 days to several months. Once the change is approved, you can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which can also take several months to process. So, it might take a considerable amount of time before you can start working legally.
is it possible to apply for a temporary work permit with a tourist visa?
As per U.S. immigration laws, you generally can't apply for a work permit while on a tourist visa. You must first change your visa status to one that allows employment. There are specific categories of visas that permit employment. Please consult with an immigration attorney to guide you through this process.
Thank you I will look into this matter. Another question I have is regarding citizenship. Can a cousin that's a citizen sponsor me?
Under U.S. immigration laws, only certain family members are eligible to sponsor a relative for a Green Card. These include spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Unfortunately, a cousin cannot directly sponsor you for citizenship.
Thank you. I will look into changing my visa status. You have been very helpful!
You're welcome! I'm glad I could assist. If you have any more questions about legal matters in the future, feel free to reach out. Good luck with your visa status change process!