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Applying for J-2 Employment Authorization

J-2 visa holders are eligible to apply for work permission to USCIS as long as the J-1 maintains valid J-1 status. Employment for J-2 dependents may not be used to provide the basic needs or educational expenses for the J-1 visa holder.

Employment authorization is valid for any type of employment and even several jobs at the same time. The application does not depend on an offer of employment, nor is it restricted to any previous area of experience the applicant may have.

Applications may take 75–90 days to be processed by USCIS.

If the J-1 changes his or her status to another classification, the J-2 will have to stop employment once the change of status becomes effective even if their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is still valid.

The application for J-2 employment authorization includes:

  1. A cover letter to USCIS which states that J-2 earnings will not be used to support the J-1. For example: "I am applying for employment authorization as a J-2 dependent. My husband (or wife) is currently in J-1 visa status as a student (or scholar) and has sufficient funds for his (or her) support. Any income from my employment will not be used to support the J-1 or myself. I will use this income for purposes of cultural enrichment and recreation." You may elaborate on what types of cultural or recreational activities you wish to pursue. You are encouraged to submit a budget and funding sources to assure the adjudicating officer that the income you may earn will not support either you or the J-1 visa holder.
  2. Form I-765. You can download the form here. See answers to some questions below:
    1. Question 16: Enter "(C) (5) "—ignore the last set of parentheses.
      Make sure to sign the form in black ink and that the signature does not touch either line.  Your signature will be digitized and placed on your Employment Authorization Card (EAD).
    2. Question 15: Enter "J-2 Exchange Visitor dependent."
    3. Question 14: Enter "J-2 Exchange Visitor dependent."
    4. Question 12: "Date of last entry" will be found on your I-94 electronic arrival record.
    5. Question 10: the Alien registration number (A-number) is issued to those who have applied for Permanent Residence or are renewing their Employment Authorization. If you do not have an A-number, enter the number from your I-94 electronic arrival record.
    6. Question 9: Enter "none" if you do not have a social security number.
  3. A check or money order for fee as noted in I-765 form instructions made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Visit the USCIS website for current filing fees.
  4. Photocopy of your electronic I-94 arrival record.
  5. Photocopy of J-1's DS-2019.
  6. Photocopy of your J-2 DS-2019.
  7. Photocopy of your passport: Include only the pages containing the expiration date of your passport and the photo.
  8. Photocopy of your marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, enclose a translated copy. The translation can be done by either you or by someone else. Any translation should include a statement to the effect that the person translating the document is fluent in both English and the other language and that they certify that the translation is true and accurate. 
    See how the translation should be formatted.
  9. Photocopy of any previously issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
  10. Two identical color passport photographs, full face frontal view measuring 2" by 2."
    1. The head of the image should measure between 1" and 1 3/8." The photos should be recent, no more than 30 days old.
    2. These photos can be taken at Bechtel or at any other place that takes good passport photos.
    3. Print your name and I-94 number on the back of both photos.
    4. Place photos in an envelope.
    5. Write your name and your I-94 number clearly on the envelope.

Attach both the fee and the envelope containing the photos to the I-765 Form using paperclips.

Mailing Instructions

Send your application to the USCIS Lockbox facility. You can locate the address information at the bottom of the USCIS page, Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

We recommend that you mail your application by certified mail with a return receipt or by courier service (e.g. FedEx) to have proof that your application was received. Please make a copy of your application before mailing it.

You should receive your Employment Authorization Card (EAD) in the mail in 75–90 days. You are not permitted to work until you receive the EAD card.