Can Non-US Citizens Get US Federal Government Jobs? What USAJOBS Says
Most US federal jobs require citizenship. Non-citizens can be hired only in limited cases, such as excepted service roles or when no qualified citizen is available. Here are the rules.
USA| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Organization | USAJOBS / US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) |
| Official source | USAJOBS Help Center – Non-citizens ✓ help.usajobs.gov |
USAJOBS is the official website for US federal government jobs. If you are not a US citizen, here is the honest picture: most federal jobs are not open to you, but there are some exceptions.
The general rule
You normally must be a US citizen or national to work for the federal government. Every job advert has a "This job is open to" section that says whether non-citizens can apply. Read it first.
Competitive service
Most federal jobs are in the competitive service. Under Executive Order 11935, only citizens and nationals can compete for these jobs.
An agency can hire a non-citizen only if:
- no qualified citizen is available, and
- the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approves.
Even then, the person gets an excepted appointment without competitive status, which limits later promotion or transfer.
Excepted service and SES
Some agencies, such as the US Postal Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the FBI, and some roles, such as lawyers and chaplains, are outside the competitive rules. A non-citizen can be hired here only if three things allow it: the annual appropriations law, immigration law, and the agency's own policies.
The appropriations ban and its exceptions
Each year, Congress bars agencies from using appropriated funds to pay non-citizens working inside the US. Exceptions include:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who are seeking citizenship
- Refugees and asylees who have declared their intention to become permanent residents and then citizens
- Temporary translators
- Emergency field workers for up to 60 days
- Some non-resident wildland firefighters for up to 120 days, under agreements with other countries
Some agencies are exempt from this ban.
You still need the right to work
Whatever the job, you must be legally allowed to work in the US, as a citizen, a permanent resident, or someone authorised by US immigration authorities.
What it means for you
- On a work visa? Federal jobs are very hard to get. Private sector jobs, universities and some state or local governments are more realistic.
- Green card holder? You may qualify for some posts, but check the "open to" section of each advert.
- Abroad? Non-citizens can sometimes work at US embassies and missions as locally employed staff, which follows different rules.
Related: US jobs report: healthcare leads hiring.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
