To be employed in the United States, you must have valid work authorization. Employers are required by law to verify the status of people they hire by having them fill out an I-9 form. However, immigrants and non-immigrants alike who would like to generate income by either starting their own business or pursuing gig work, have options.
This guide provides an overview of different work-related income generation options and resources on where to find the right opportunities for you.
The information in this guide is purely educational and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an attorney about whether pursuing any of these options could affect your status or immigration case.
What are the different types of employment I can get?
Traditional employment can be full or part time. This kind of employment provides a set wage, and sometimes other benefits such as health insurance or paid time off.
Both full-time and part-time employment require you to go through an application process and background check, which means you need to have valid work authorization and identification in order to submit the I-9.
Contract work is more flexible than traditional employment, but still requires you to fill out forms like the 1099. You will not be considered an employee or receive benefits like health insurance but you will have more autonomy over your rates and the scope of your work.
Where can I find a full-time or part-time job?
If you have work authorization and are looking for traditional employment options, job search boards could be helpful in finding full-time or part-time employment. Below is a list of sites and a brief description of the types of jobs you can find in each:
- Indeed: For non-profit, philanthropic and government jobs.
- NY State Department of Labor Search board: Find jobs, research careers and other specialized training programs in the state of New York.
- Jobs NYC: For NYC government jobs and getting personalized job seeking help.
- ZipRecruiter: Lists different kinds of job opportunities.
- LinkedIn: A social networking and job-finding site.
- Monster: Lists different kinds of jobs.
- Idealist: For non-profit and social-justice jobs.
- New York City Green Jobs: Lists jobs that focus on the environment, climate change and sustainability in New York City.
- Building Skills NY: A construction workforce development non-profit that connects unemployed New Yorkers to construction training and job opportunities.
You can also receive job training, resume, and workforce development support from NYC’s Small Business Services. This city agency has workforce career centers throughout the five boroughs that specialize in providing personalized career counseling, connection to training opportunities, job interview advice and more.
Where can I find contract work?
If you are interested in doing contract or gig work, there are sites you can use to find these types of opportunities. Below is a list and brief description of each:
- Taskrabbit: Here you can sign up to get paid to do home repairs, moving, and other tasks. Click here to learn more about the process and create a profile.
- Care.com: A site where you can sign up to help with child, pet, or elderly care. Click here to learn more about how to create a profile
- Upwork.com: A platform where you can find contract work in industries such as design, administration and customer support, writing and translation and design. Click here to learn more about how to sign up.
- Wag!: A site where you can get paid to walk and care for dogs. Click here to learn more about how to sign up.
You can also visit Immigrants Rising for more video tutorials and other guides on how to generate income as an immigrant. They have resources that cover a range of topics from how to start a business or work as a contractor to creating a business plan.
Do I need to pay taxes on income I make from contract work?
Regardless of the type of income generation option you choose, you should be prepared to pay taxes on the money that you make.
