What are Work Eligibility Questions During the Application Process to Consider

According to the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), employers can't discriminate against potential employees based on their immigration or nationality status. Asking which specific types of documents applicants will use to verify eligibility puts you at risk of facing a discrimination lawsuit under the INA.

So you shouldn't ask an applicant which documents they have to prove authorization, but you can inquire as to whether or not an applicant will require an H1-B visa, for instance. Be sure to ask the same question to every applicant.

What you can ask

The US Department of Justice's Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The OSC has previously established the following questions are allowable in an interview setting:

• Are you authorized to work lawfully in the United States?
• Will you now, or in the future require to commence (sponsor) an immigration case in order to employ you (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration case)?

In this way, you can ask if an applicant will need an H1-B visa, without directly asking them which documents they have.

What You shouldn't ask

• Which documents an applicant has to prove their employment eligibility
• If an applicant is a US citizen
• How an applicant achieved citizenship
• If an applicant has a green card
• When an applicant's work authorization expires

Final tip

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recommends adding the following statement to employment applications to ensure compliance:

"In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire."

Helpful links:

FAQs - justice.gov Frequently Asked Questions about the OSC