J-2 Dependents (Spouse and/or Children under the age of 21) of J-1 Exchange Visitors are eligible to petition for Employment Authorization to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This permission is available only after the J-2 Dependent(s) has entered the US and has submitted the following documentation by mail to the Service Center which has jurisdiction over the area of US residence. 

Employment may not begin until USCIS approves the petition and the J-2 Dependent is issued the Employment Authorization Document (EAD card). The EAD Card authorizes the J-2 Dependent to work for any US employer in any job, full-time or part-time based on the validity period of the EAD Card and as long as the J-1 Principal is in valid status. The J-2 Employment Authorization may be renewed prior to the expiration date of the current EAD Card by filing a new J-2 Employment Authorization petition to USCIS following the same procedures as shown. 

Required Documents: (Keep copies of all documents sent to and received from US Citizenship and Immigration Services)

  • A check or money order for $410.00 petition fee made payable to US Department of Homeland Security
  • Form I-765, Application For Employment Authorization
  • Form G-1145, E-Notification for Application/Petition Acceptance

* Make sure all the forms and the petition fee is current by visiting: www.uscis.gov / FORMS

  • Letter of Request for J-2 Employment Authorization w/ estimated budget chart:
    • The request letter should clearly state that income received from employment will not financial support the J-1 principal.
    • The reasons for employment may be for the J-2 Dependent(s) cultural, recreational, and travel expenses, and/or any incidental expenses that were not part of the initial estimated cost of living in the US. (see samples)

- Using a pencil, lightly print the J-2 Dependent’s name and date of birth on the back of the photographs.

  • Photocopies of the following documents for both the J-2 Dependent and J-1 Principal:

- All DS-2019 forms, Passport Validity Page, I-94

  • FOR RENEWAL of  J-2 Employment Authorization:

- A copy of the previous employment authorization card (front and back)

J-2 Employment Authorization

  • Use Blue Ink to complete the form and for your signature at the end of the form
  • Applicants requesting for initial J-2 Employment Request should check the 1.a. “Initial Permission to accept employment” box.  Applicants requesting a renewal should check the 1.c. "Renewal of my permission to accept employment" box 
  • Names should appear the same as on the Passport Validity Page
  • Address listed on the Form I-765 will be the mailing address used by USCIS to mail the receipt notice and EAD Card (make sure this is a secure address)
  • Question #8 and #9 (leave blank)
  • Question 12 check "No" if this is your first time requesting employment authorization and check "Yes" if you are renewing your employment authorization card
  • Question 13a check "No" if you have never requested a Social Security Number check "Yes" if at any time you requested a Social Security Number and it was issued to you 
  • Question 13b.  If you have a Social Security Number provide the number it in the boxes
  • Question 14 and 15 Check "Yes" if you have never requested a Social Security Number and you would like to request it at this moment (Social Security Number is required for employment purposes and for paying taxes)
  • Questions 16a-17b Provide requested information if you are requesting a Social Security Number.
  • Questions 18a-20 Provide requested information
  • Question 21a-26 Provide requested information based on your last entry to the US.  All the requested information is found in your passport, I94 and DS-2019 document.  The SEVIS Number is found on the top right hand corner of your DS-2019 above the barcode.
  •  Question 27: The code for J-2 Employment Eligibility is: ( C ) ( 5 ) ( - )
  • Question 28-31b leave blank (does not apply to J-2 status)
  • Applicant's Statement: Check box 1a only and complete 3, 4, 5, 
  • 7a Sign with a blue ink pen.  Make sure your signature remains within the box
  • 7b date the form and leave the rest blank. 

Photograph Requirements:

  • - Frame subject with full face, front view, eyes open
  •  - Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm)
  • Center head within frame (see Figure to the right).
  • - Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from bottom of photo.
  • - Photograph subject against a plain white or off-white background.
  • Position subject and lighting so that there are no distracting shadows on the face or background
  • - Encourage subject to have a natural expression.
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The J-2 Employment Authorization Application is to be mailed to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for review: USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

For US Postal Service (USPS) deliveries*
*OISS Recommends to file with Certified Mail w/Return
Receipt request if mailing using this option.

For Express mail and courier deliveries

USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

E-Notification: If you want to receive an e-mail and/or a text message that your Form I-765 has been accepted at a USCIS Lockbox facility, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the first page of your application.
You may check the status of your J-2 Employment Authorization petition by using the receipt number found on the Form I-797C Receipt Notice of Action. The receipt number can be entered on USCIS website at: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do

(Your name)

(Your street address)

(Your city, state, and zip code)

 

(Date)

To whom it may concern:

I, [your name], am the J -2 dependent of the J -1 Exchange Visitor [J -1’s name] and I wish to apply for J -2 employment authorization. My [spouse] receives a [salary, grant, or stipend] from [specify source] sufficient to provide for all of our expenses.  I would like the opportunity to work for [professional development, cultural, educational purposes, or language opportunities] and employment authorization will help me achieve this purpose. I understand that my earnings cannot be used to support my [spouse], who is the J-1 Principal, and they will not be necessary to help financially support the family.

Enclosed are all required documents for my application.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,

(your signature)

(your name)

(May be Monthly or Annual Cost of Living Expenses)
(Expenses categories varies according to personal use/needs)

 

EXPENSES

 

J-1 PRINCIPAL

 

J-2 DEPENDENT(S)

 

FAMILY TOTAL

Rent

 

 

 

Food

 

 

 

Education Fees
(e.g. Tuition, Books, Supplies)

 

 

 

Living Expenses
(e.g. utility bills – gas/electric, television/internet)

 

 

 

Vehicle Expenses
(e.g. fuel, maintenance, auto insurance)

 

 

 

Health Insurance

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Expenses
(e.g. recreational/travel )

 

 

 

TOTAL ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES

$_______________

$__________________

$___________________

 

 

 

 

Current Income

$________________