eligible to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eligible to work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to someone's ability or capacity to accept paid work. For example, "All new hires must be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students attending the Duke Marine Lab will remain eligible to work and your work-study eligibility will not change.

Duke University

He was ruled eligible to work.

The Guardian

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Columbia University

And after Juan and Maria file their asylum claims, they'll be eligible to work.

The Guardian

The register tracks who is eligible to work in those areas of healthcare in the UK.

The Guardian

Mr. Gurule and six accomplices in the escape were all eligible to work.

The New York Times

Foreign dancers are eligible to work in Russia only with an employer-sponsored visa.

The Economist

Successful applicants will receive a Social Security number and will be eligible to work legally.

The Economist

Individuals eligible to work here are immediately confirmed 99.5 percent of the time.

The New York Times

Students from Bulgaria and Romania are eligible to work for no longer than 20 hours per week during term time.

The Guardian

During the fall and spring UROPs are eligible to work 20 hours a week.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the location, clarify with "eligible to work in [country/region]" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume that being "eligible to work" automatically means a candidate is experienced or suitable for a specific role. Eligibility only confirms their legal right to work, not their skills or qualifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eligible to work" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically a person or applicant. It describes the legal or formal qualification to be employed. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

28%

News & Media

63%

Science

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eligible to work" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the legal right to be employed. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically specifying a requirement for employment across various sectors, as indicated by its frequent use in academia, news media, and science. While the phrase itself focuses on legal permission, it's crucial to remember that eligibility does not guarantee suitability for a specific role. Several alternatives, such as "authorized to work" and "qualified to work", can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorized to work

Replaces "eligible" with "authorized", emphasizing the official permission aspect.

permitted to work

Uses "permitted" instead of "eligible", focusing on the allowance to work.

qualified to work

Substitutes "eligible" with "qualified", highlighting the fulfillment of requirements.

entitled to work

Replaces "eligible" with "entitled", suggesting a right or claim to work.

allowed to be employed

Rephrases the entire phrase, using "allowed" and "employed" to convey eligibility.

able to hold employment

Expresses eligibility through the ability to hold a job.

has work authorization

Focuses on the possession of work authorization as proof of eligibility.

meets employment criteria

Shifts the focus to meeting the specific criteria for employment.

cleared for employment

Implies that a clearance process has confirmed eligibility.

work-approved

A more concise, hyphenated adjective indicating eligibility for work.

FAQs

How do I determine if someone is "eligible to work" in a country?

Eligibility typically depends on citizenship, visa status, or other legal permits. Employers should verify work authorization through official documentation such as a passport, work permit, or other government-issued documents.

What does it mean to be "eligible to work" in the United States?

In the United States, being "eligible to work" means an individual has the legal right to be employed, usually proven via US citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid work visa.

What are some alternatives to saying "eligible to work"?

You can use alternatives like "authorized to work", "permitted to work", or "qualified to work" depending on the specific context.

Is being "eligible to work" the same as being "suitable for a job"?

No, being "eligible to work" refers to the legal right to hold employment, while being "suitable for a job" involves having the necessary skills, experience, and qualifications for a specific position. An individual can be "eligible to work" without being suitable for a particular job, and vice versa.