How To Get A Work Permit In California
It’s your first day as vice president of marketing for a new start-up in Silicon Valley. Excited to finally work for a start-up, you’re driving up to the office with your suit and laptop — getting ready to venture into this new startup grind. Then you see it… that big sign by the off-ramp: “Welcome to California. You can now get a work permit.”
US Work Permit is designed to help you find out about the process for getting a work permit in California. US Work Permit is not affiliated with any government office and the content on this website is not reviewed, sanctioned or endorsed by any government agency. Various information and resources are available online which can be used by anyone to understand what they need to do and how they can do it.
If you want to work in California, you need a permit or authorization to do so. And when you apply for a work permit, not only do you have to provide plenty of documentation and pay several fees, but also run the risk of being denied.
How To Get A Work Permit In California
A work permit is a requirement for non-US citizens who are attending school in California to have an after school job. Work permits allow individuals to bring up their income as students, and in some cases, gain valuable social skills needed in the workforce.
Anyone thinking about moving to California should know that there are certain privileges landowners have and visa holders do not have. If you’re planning on moving to America, you’ll need to apply for a Visa if you are not yet a citizen. Before applying for an employment visa, get a work permit in California first.
You’re working on your master’s degree at the university in California, and you’ve been there for quite a while now. You’re eager to jump out into the world and get your career started, but you don’t have a work permit. How do you go about getting one?
Information on Minors and Employment
Almost all minors under the age of 18 are subject to California’s child labor protections. Under the California Labor Code, “minor” is defined as any person under the age of 18 years required to attend school under the provisions of the Education Code, and any person under age six. “Dropouts” are subject to California’s compulsory education laws, and thus are subject to all state child labor law requirements. Emancipated minors, while subject to all California’s child labor laws, may apply for a work permit without their parents’ permission.
Child Labor Laws
The Labor Commissioner’s child labor law booklet contains comprehensive information about child labor laws, school attendance, wage, hour, and age requirements, restrictions, employer requirements and work permits. It also includes references and links to the state Labor Code, the Education Code and other relevant laws and regulations.
A table summarizing child labor law requirements and restrictions categorized by age, and penalties for violating child labor laws is also posted for reference.
Work Permits
Except in limited circumstances defined in law and summarized in the Child Labor Law Booklet, all minors under 18 years of age employed in the state of California must have a permit to work.
Prior to permitting a minor to work, employers must possess a valid Permit to Employ and Work. The Permit to Employ and Work are issued on the same form. A Permit to Employ and Work in industries other than entertainment is usually issued by an authorized person at the minor’s school. During summer months or when school is not in session the work permit is obtained from the superintendent of the school district in which the minor resides.
Typically, after an employer agrees to hire a minor, the minor obtains from his or her school a Department of Education form entitled “Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit“. The form must be completed by the minor and the employer and signed by the minor’s parent or guardian and the employer. After returning the completed and signed form to the school, school officials may issue the permit to employ and work.
Permits issued during the school year expire five days after the opening of the next succeeding school year and must be renewed.
Entertainment Work Permits
Minors aged 15 days to 18 years employed in the entertainment industry must have a permit to work, and employers must have a permit to employ, both permits being issued by the Labor Commissioner’s Office. These permits are also required for minors making phonographic recordings or who are employed as advertising or photographic models. Permits are required even when the entertainment is noncommercial in nature.
- Request an Entertainment Work Permit for a minor
- Entertainment Industry Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Requirements
- Request Entertainment Permit to Employ Minors
- Request a permit to provide services to a minor for the entertainment business