J-2 visa-holders may be authorized to work in the U.S. if they obtain approval from U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). In order to qualify for a J-2 EAD, both the J-1 exchange visitor and J-2 dependent must be maintaining legal status and the J-2 must be physically present in the U.S. when the I-765 application is submitted to USCIS.

J-2 EAD applications cannot be submitted electronically at this time.

Application checklist

  1. Two U.S. passport photos
  2. Filing fee: payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (staple to I-765). U.S. Department of Homeland Security fees are subject to change; before filing, confirm filing fee online.
  3. Completed Form I-765: J-2 eligibility category is (c)(5)
  4. Copy of most recent Form I-94 showing J-2 status
  5. Copy of biographic page of current passport
  6. Copy of J-2 visa stamp (Canadians are visa exempt)
  7. Written statement confirming that any income from this employment authorization will not be used to support the J-1 exchange visitor
  8. Current and previous DS-2019s
  9. Previously issued EAD cards, if any
  10. Proof of marriage: photocopy of marriage certificate, with certification of translation if not in English
  11. J-1 principle exchange visitor’s documents
    • Copy of biographic page of current passport
    • Copy of DS-2019
    • Copy of J-1 visa stamp
    • Copy of most recent Form I-94 showing J-1 status

Application process

Mail your documents to the correct Lockbox address based on the mailing method you select. If you use USPS, you will send the application to a different address than you would use if mailing via overnight service, such as UPS and FedEx.

USCIS may take several months to approve or deny a request. Find more information regarding USCIS processing times online. We recommend you make a photocopy of your entire employment authorization application for your records before mailing it to USCIS.

Extending authorization

Extension of the EAD card is possible, up to the end date of the J-1 principle exchange visitor’s form DS-2019. The extension process may take several months to adjudicate, so plan ahead if you want your employment to be continuous (without any gaps between work authorization periods).

Moving while application is pending

If you are planning to move while your application for J-2 work authorization is pending, make sure you do NOT change your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) until you have received your EAD card. USPS cannot forward mail from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to your new address.