To legally start your first job in the U.S., you need three things: authorization to work (EAD, green card, or citizenship), an SSN, and properly completed employment forms–Form I-9 from any employer, plus Form W-4 or W-9 depending on your payment arrangement. Below, we’ll break down each document in order and compile everything into a single checklist.
What immigration statuses grant the right to work
An employer in the U.S. cannot legally pay someone without verified work authorization. This is confirmed by three documents:
| Document | What It Is |
|---|---|
| EAD (Employment Authorization Document) | Employment authorization card. Requested via Form I-765. Grants the right to work while the card is valid. |
| Green Card | Permanent resident status. The right to work without a separate authorization. |
| U.S. Citizenship | The right to work without restrictions. |
If you have one of these documents in hand, you’re all set from an employment standpoint. However, questions about which status entitles you to file Form I-765 and how to expedite the process should be directed to an immigration attorney, not your employer: a recruiter verifies the document, but does not issue it.
SSN: nine digits you can’t do without
The Social Security Administration–a federal agency–issues the Social Security Number. Your employer needs this number to report your income and remit Social Security and Medicare contributions. Without an SSN, neither an employee’s W-2 nor a contractor’s 1099 can be filed correctly, so applying to the SSA is one of the first steps after moving–not something to put off until “after I get a job.”
Form I-9 and E-Verify: What You Need to Complete When Hired
Every employer in the U.S. must complete Form I-9 when hiring any employee–it’s a federal requirement. You present documents proving your identity and right to work, and the company records them on the form. If you’re offered a job “off the books”–that’s not a simplified procedure; it’s an employer breaking the law from day one. Think about what they’ll do with your paycheck.
E-Verify is an electronic system that cross-checks the information on Form I-9 against federal databases. Participation in this system is a sign that the company is hiring people according to the rules. Practical takeaway: An employer who uses E-Verify is more reliable because your income will be official–the bank will see it when you apply for a loan, your landlord will see it when you rent an apartment, and the IRS will see it when you file your taxes. TreeTech uses E-Verify.
W-4 and W-9 in Simple Terms
Next question: how will you be paid? The answer determines which form you’ll sign when you’re hired:
- W-4–for W-2 employees. With this form, your employer withholds taxes from each paycheck. By the time you file your April tax return, most of your taxes will already have been paid.
- W-9 – for 1099 contractors. Nothing is withheld from your payment: you pay the 15.3% self-employment tax (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) yourself and make estimated tax payments four times a year using Form 1040-ES.
Signing a W-9 thinking it’s “just a form” is a classic mistake: by signing it, you assume all the tax obligations of a contractor. The differences between these systems are explained in our guide “1099 vs. W-2.”
Common Mistakes Made by Newcomers
- Working “under the table” for cash. No I-9 means no income records: you have nothing to show the bank, your landlord, or the IRS. Social Security contributions aren’t being made. And if your employer doesn’t pay, you have no way to prove the agreement.
- Starting work without a written offer. Verbal promises about pay are worthless. Standard practice: terms in writing before your first day. TreeTech sends a written offer within 48 hours of the interview, and the piecework pay scale (the cost of each order type in points) is visible before you sign.
- Signing forms without understanding them. The W-4 or W-9 determines who pays your taxes. Ask directly: “Am I on a W-2 or 1099?”–and get an answer before you sign, not after you receive your first paycheck.
- Underestimating the job requirements. A technician’s job is physically demanding–working outdoors and indoors, using a 28-foot ladder. You’ll need a driver’s license and a car: either your own or one leased through the company. Honestly assess whether this is right for you before accepting the offer.
Checklist Before Your First Job
- Proof of work authorization: EAD (applied for via Form I-765), green card, or proof of citizenship.
- SSN–issued by the Social Security Administration; take care of this in the first few days after moving.
- Driver’s license–required for field work as a technician.
- Car–your own or leased through the company; TreeTech provides the necessary tools for the job.
- Understanding the payment structure: W-4 (W-2, taxes withheld by the employer) or W-9 (1099, you’re responsible for paying your own taxes).
- A written offer with specific figures–to be received before your first day of work.
- An employer enrolled in E-Verify is a sign of official employment.
Conclusion: The documents required for your first job are a short, definitive list–not a bureaucratic maze. Work authorization, an SSN, an I-9, and a single tax form–and you’re good to go. With this set of requirements, a TreeTech helper starts paid training with a paycheck of $800–1,000 per week during the first 2–4 weeks of work in Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, or Illinois; Supervisors speak Russian, and the recruiter responds within 15 minutes during business hours.
This article provides general information about employment and is not legal advice. For questions regarding immigration status and work eligibility, consult a licensed attorney.