How to Get Permission to Work in Minnesota - Work Authorization Steps and Form I-765

Sep 17, 2026

Fact sheet explaining how to obtain permission to work in Minnesota by applying for “work authorization.” Covers who may work legally, when employers can request proof of identity and work eligibility, and how the I-9 Form process applies to all workers. Provides application guidance for Form I-765, document types to submit, renewal timing (at least 180 days before expiration), and key compliance tips for filling out the required forms correctly.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Who Can Work

Can I work in Minnesota?

Do I need work authorization to start a business?

Can anyone apply for work authorization?

Can my employer ask to see proof that I am allowed to work?

What should I do if my employer asks me to fill out an I-9 Form?

Will my employer send my information to immigration?

How do I renew my work authorization?

Steps to Apply

How do I apply for work authorization?

How to Get Permission to Work in Minnesota This fact sheet talks about how to get permission to work in Minnesota. This is also called applying for “work authorization.” This fact sheet tells you: • Who can work legally in Minnesota • What employers are allowed to ask you about • The steps to ask for a work authorization permit • Tips for filling out the work authorization form To read this fact sheet in other languages, go to: [lawhelpmn.org](lawhelpmn.org) This fact sheet was developed in collaboration with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, The Advocates for Human Rights, and the Volunteer Lawyers Network. It was supported by funding from the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services. Who Can Work Can I work in Minnesota? If you are not a U.S. citizen, you need permission from the government to work legally for a business or for another person. You can apply for “work authorization” using Form I-765. If you work without permission, it could harm your immigration case. Do I need work authorization to start a business? No. You do not need work authorization or a Social Security number to start a business in Minnesota. But depending on the type of business, you might need to apply for special licenses to serve food and use certain equipment. You do not need a license to start all businesses. Example: You do not need a license to start a cleaning business. Can anyone apply for work authorization? NO. To apply for work authorization, you must: • Already have some type of status. Example: you can apply for work authorization if you are a refugee or have been granted asylum. OR • Have a pending application. Example: you can apply for work authorization if you have a pending asylum or green card application. Can my employer ask to see proof that I am allowed to work? Yes. Employers can only hire people with permission to work. The law says employers must check the identity and work eligibility of every person they want to hire. This applies to everyone, not only immigrants. Workers must complete an I-9 Form to confirm their identity and that they are allowed to work. What documents will my employer ask to see? Employers ask all workers to complete an I-9 Form within 3 days of starting a job. You must show documents to prove who you are. You must show documents to prove you have permission to work. The I-9 Form has a list of documents that can be used to prove your identity and eligibility to work. What should I do if my employer asks me to fill out an I-9 Form? If an employer asks you to fill out an I-9 Form, you must do it. • Do NOT say you are a U.S. citizen if you are not. • Do NOT use a fake name, document, or Social Security number. • Do NOT use someone else’s information on an I-9 Form. This might prevent you from ever getting permanent status in the U.S. • When you fill out an I-9 Form, you choose what documents from the list to show. Your employer cannot demand that you show 1 specific document. Example: Daahir’s I-9 Form Daahir filled out an I-9 Form for his new job. He showed his employment authorization document to prove that he is eligible to work. His employer told him he cannot use that document. The employer said Daahir must showa green card if he wants to work. It is illegal for an employer to do this. Daahir should talk to a lawyer. Will my employer send my information to immigration? No, but your employer must keep your I-9 Form on file. They must show it to the government if the government asks to see it. If your employer uses E-Verify, that information is shared with the Department of Homeland Security. How do I renew my work authorization? Use the same steps to apply the first time or renew your application. See the “Steps to Apply”and “How to Fill Out Form I-765” parts of this fact sheet for help. You should apply to renew your work authorization at least 180 days bef

FAQs

Who needs work authorization to work legally in Minnesota?

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you need permission from the government to work legally for a business or another person. You can apply for “work authorization” using Form I-765.

What can an employer require for work eligibility verification?

Employers can require proof of identity and work eligibility and must complete checks for each person they want to hire. Workers must complete an I-9 Form within 3 days of starting a job.

When and how should I renew work authorization?

Use the same steps as applying the first time or renewing your application. Apply to renew at least 180 days before it expires, and consider speaking to a lawyer if it has already expired, expires in less than 180 days, or if you were convicted of a crime since your first application.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Arica Lee