Work Permit: Definition, Types, and Application Tips

Meaning 1：work permit (work permit)

work permit 🔊

/ˈwɜːrk ˈpɜːrmɪt/

An official document that allows a person to work in a foreign country legally.

work permit 🔊

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/ˈwɜːrk ˈpɜːrmɪt/

An official document issued by a government that allows a foreign national to work legally within that country for a specified period.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Work (from Old English weorc) + Permit (from Latin permittere, 'to let through').

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'work' badge that says 'Permit' – it's your ticket to legally earn money abroad.

📖 Example

She moved to Australia and got her work permit approved, so she can start her new job next month. 🔊 She moved to Australia and got her work permit approved, so she can start her new job next month.

🔗 Collocations

apply for a work permit – To submit an application to obtain a work permit.

work permit application – The official form or process to request a work permit.

work permit holder – A person who possesses a valid work permit.

🔄 Synonyms

employment visa (n.) – A visa that allows a person to work in a foreign country, often synonymous with a work permit.

work authorization (n.) – Permission granted by a government to work, which may be a document or a stamp.

labor permit (n.) – A permit specifically related to labor employment, similar to a work permit.

🚫 Antonyms

work ban (n.) – A legal prohibition preventing a person from working in a particular country.

employment restriction (n.) – A condition that limits or forbids someone from taking a job.

📖 Cultural Story

The term emerged in the 20th century with modern immigration systems, combining 'work' (labor) and 'permit' (authorization). It is a standard legal term in global migration policies.