The work permit in Maine is employer-specific and cannot be transferred from one employer to another. If the minor is under the age of 16, they will have to get a new work permit each time they decide to get a new job. During the school year, a minor aged 14 or 15 can have one active work permit.

If you’re looking for how to get a work permit in Maine, this article is for you.

Youth Employment laws protect minors from working in unsafe or unhealthy conditions. They also ensure that work does not compromise the education of minors. These laws include:

• minimum ages for employment
• work permits
• hours of work
• prohibited occupations

Employers who employ minors (youths under 18 years old) must ensure that working conditions meet the requirements of all four areas.

Work Permit In Maine

In the United States, there are two types of work permits issued by the government. One is the permit that is issued to minors by a state government, and the other is the type of work permit issued to immigrants by the federal government.

The State of Maine requires that minors obtain a work permit before they are allowed to get a job within the state, and this also applies to foreigners.

Now, if you fall under any of these two categories and you are reading this article, you are lucky because this article will help you learn how to get a work permit in Maine.

But first, let’s get to know a bit more about the state.

A Brief Overview of Maine

Maine is a state in the United States of America, which is the northernmost state in the northeastern regions in the U.S. However, Maine is also the 12th smallest by area and 9th least populous in the country.

Maine gets about 60% of its revenue from agriculture. Other supporting industries, such as media, food and service, textiles, tourism, Naval shipbuilding, and so on, make up the other 40%.

Maine is a lovely place to live, the atmosphere there is calm, peaceful and serene, it is said to have one of the lowest crime rates among other states in the country.

How to Get a Work Permit in Maine (For Minors)

Under the Maine state law, minors are required to obtain a work permit before they are allowed to work at a job. Aside from a work permit, employers hiring minors within the state should follow federal child labor laws as well.

And if an employer is found guilty of violating federal child labor laws, they will be charged with criminal penalties and a fine that is up to $10,000 for each violation.

Maine Work Permit Application Process

Acquiring a work permit in Maine as a minor is a simple process. The following are detailed steps on how to obtain a work permit.

Once the minor has found a job, the first step is to fill a form on the Maine Department of the labor website. The minor is to fill portions of the form that asks for their information such as their name, social security number, date of birth, and so on.

The next step is for the minor or the employer to fill the “Information on Employer” portion of the form. Note that if the minor fills this information, they must have collected the required info from their employers beforehand.

This info includes the name and address of the employer, job nature, starting wage, and so on. The next step is for the parent or guardian of the minor to sign the work permit application form.

Then the minor is to submit the application form with their birth certificate, proof of age, and photo I.D., to their schools’ superintendent office.

Read Also: How to Get a Work and Study Visa in America

The office will complete the application and mail it with the other submitted documents to the Maine Department of Labor.

Once the Maine Department of Labor has received the documents, they will then review them to ensure that the minor meets up to their requirements.

Then the Department of Labor will approve the forms and keep one copy for their office and return two copies to the superintendent’s office. These copies are to be given to the school and the minor’s employer.

How to Get Work Permit in M.E. (For Foreigners)

If you live in Maine as a foreigner and you want to obtain a work permit or a work visa, you can visit a USCIS Service Center closest to your area or follow the following steps.

M.E. Work Visa Application Process

The first step in applying for a U.S. work permit in Maine is to fill an application form; this form is called a USCIS Form I-765. You can get this form from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

After logging on to the website’s page, the next step is to read the entire form carefully then fill it out with the required information.

When you are done filling, send it by mail to the USCIS Service Center that serves the area where you live in Maine. You can also submit it online if you don’t have a mailing address. Attach the correct documents, photos, and fees.

Your application will be processed and If your application is approved if you are deemed eligible.

Fee attachment

When you submit your application form to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a bunch of fees are attached to it.

The amount of these fees differs from time to time. It’s mandatory for you to pay fees by check or money order if you mail in your application, but for e-filing, you can pay by debit card, credit card, or an electronic transfer of funds from a United States bank.

Recommendation

Minors under 16 years old must obtain a work permit before beginning a job. This includes home-schoolers. They must get a new permit every time they begin a new job until they reach 16 years old. Even if they work for their parents.

In order to apply for a work permit, the minor must be:

• Enrolled in school;
• Not habitually truant or under suspension; and
• Passing a majority of courses during the current grading period.

Employers must have a stamped, approved work permit on file before allowing any minor under 16 years old to work.

Once the minor has the promise of a job, she or he must take proof of age to the office of the superintendent of schools. Parental permission is to be in consideration to work.

See More: How to secure a work Permit in any Abroad Company

The superintendent’s office will complete the permit and submit the form to the Maine Department of Labor. A copy of the Maine Work Permit Form can be downloaded here. The Department will review the permit to ensure that the minor is of legal age to work at the business and that the occupation is not hazardous. If the permit is in order, the Department will validate the form, and return a copy to the superintendent’s office. The superintendent’s office will provide a copy for the employer.

The minor cannot work until the Department of Labor approves the permit.

The Department of Labor issues permits for specific jobs with specific employers. Permits are not transferable to other jobs or employers. A minor under 16 needs a separate work permit for each place he or she works.

A minor can have one active permit during the school year and two during the summer. Upon leaving a job, the minor or the employer should return the employer copy of the permit to the Department of Labor so that it can be deactivated.

Do Proceed with your Application in order to gain Approval on the Go.

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