1. Must hold valid J-2 status, and the exchange visitor must hold valid J-1 status, as noted on the I-94 cards.
2. May not use their income to support the J-1 spouse or parent.
3. May work only after applying for and receiving the EAD from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and after the start date on the EAD. The EAD is a photo identification card showing a specific work authorization type and the start and expiration dates of the work permission.
4. May work part-time or full-time, at any job, for any employer (exceptions include that the J-2 may not practice medicine, even if holding a license). There is no limit to the amount of money that may be earned by the J-2.
5. USCIS usually authorizes J-2 employment until the end date on the DS-2019, although one-year work permits are issued occasionally.

The J-2 dependent applies for work authorization. Apply at least three months in advance of the anticipated employment start date as USCIS' processing times vary.

Complete USCIS Form I-765 (instructions in the next section) and submit it with the following:

• Fee – you can find the correct fee by checking the USCIS website.
  • You can pay by:
    • A check or money order - payable to the "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." You may send a money order or personal check drawn on a U.S. bank, no cash or
    • Form G-1145. Use this form if you wish to receive email or text confirmation (within about four weeks) of your receipt number from the Lockbox facility. Clip the form to the front of the application.
• Two “passport”-style photos. Print your name and SEVIS ID on the back of each photo.
  • No glasses can be worn in the passport photos. Use powder to prevent glaring and be sure there are no shadows in your photos! You may put the photos and check in an envelope and attach them carefully to the front of the I-765 so you do not staple your photos.
  • Passport photos can be obtained at:
    • Tartan Ink (412-268-4828), University Center, Lower Level
    • Rite Aid (412-521-3900)  1700 Murray Avenue 
    • U.S. Post Office (412-421-1388) 800 Murray Ave., Sq. Hill
• A copy of all previously issued DS-2019(s) for the J-2
• A printout of the J-2’s I-94 record.
• A copy of the J-2’s passport photo page (identification page) and expiration date page.
• A copy of the J-2’s visa page from the passport (even if expired).
• A copy of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card if you have had one.
• A copy of the J-1’s I-94 record.
• A copy of all previously issued DS-2019(s) for the J-1.
• A written statement with any supporting evidence showing that the employment is not necessary to support the J-1 but is for other purposes. Please review OIE's sample written statement (pdf) for guidance.

Complete USCIS Form I-765, downloadable from the USCIS website under "Immigration Forms". Complete it as a form-fillable PDF. If the form does not allow for certain characters you can hand write the information in black ink. Remember to write clearly

Part 1: Reason for Applying.

Check box 1a, if this is your first application for J-2 employment authorization.

Part 2: Information About You.

#1a Family Name: Type or write your family/last name in all capital letters.

#1b Given Name: Type or write your given/first name.

#1c Middle Name: Type or write your middle name – if no middle name – leave blank.

#5, 6 U.S. Mailing Address: This must be an address where you can receive mail for at least five months into the future. Governmental mail is not forwarded. If the EAD is sent to an address with a “forwarding order,” or if you cannot receive mail at the address you used on the I-765, then your EAD will be returned to USCIS.

• To use a friend’s address, put their information for question #5, and then your information in #7.
• Return Address: Note: If the mailing address you indicate on the I-765 is not located in Pennsylvania, refer to the I-765 instructions (pdf).

#8 and 9 Alien # & USCIS Account: Leave blank if you do not have these numbers or know what they are.

#10: Gender: List Gender as shown in your passport

#11 Marital Status: Enter current marital status

#12 Have you ever before filed an I-765 before:

• Check yes if you have filed an I-765 Form with USCIS in the past
• If the above does not apply to you -> then check no.

#13.a Has the SSA ever issued you an SSN: Check yes or no

#13.b If you answered yes to 13a: Then enter your social security number

#14, 15 (If you do not have an SSN) Do you want the SSA to issue you an SSN:

• If you check no, skip to #18
• If you check yes, answer questions 15, 16.a to 17.b

#18.a Country of Citizenship or Nationality: Enter your passport’s country – if you have more than one – use the one listed on your DS-2019

#19.a, 19.b, 19c, Place of Birth: Enter your place of city/state/country of birth (if you do not have a state/province, then leave it blank

#20 Date of Birth: Remember to write this in the U.S. date style format (mm/dd/yyyy)!

#21.a I-94 Number: You can find this on the I-94 Website

#21.b Passport Number: Enter your most recent passport number

#21.c Travel Document: Enter visa sticker number from visa in your passport if any

#21.e Passport Expiration Date: Enter most recent passport expiration date (mm/dd/yyyy)

#22 Date of the last arrival in the U.S.: Check the POE (Point of Entry) Stamp in your passport. Do not check the I-94 “Travel History Page.”

#23 Place of your last arrival in the U.S.: Check the POE (Point of Entry) Stamp in your passport. Do not check the I-94 “Travel History Page.”

#24 Status of last entry: “J-2 Dependent”

#25 Current Immigration Status: “J-2 Dependent”

#26 Current SEVIS Number: Find this on your DS-2019 immigration document

#27 Eligibility Categories: (c)(5)

• Skip questions #28 through #31.b

Part 3: Applicant’s Statement

#1.a to 2 Applicant’s Statement: Check as it applied to you

#3, #4, #5 Contact Information: Enter a U.S. phone number and a personal email address

• Skip Parts 4, 5, & 6, unless they apply to you.
• Certification: Sign and date the I-765 in dark blue ink. Sign within the box – do not go outside the box.
• Include all seven pages of the I-765 and mail the application to the appropriate USCIS lockbox location. 

SSNs are required for tax reporting purposes. J-2 dependents may request a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) to be issued as part of the I-765 application process (steps 14-17 above under "EAD Application Process").

J-2 workers who do not have an SSN and do not request one to be issued using the I-765 must apply to the Social Security Administration for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). 

If the EAD card expires before the end date on the DS-2019 or if the J-1/J-2 receive  DS-2019 extensions the J-2 may submit another I-765 application to USCIS to request an additional period of work authorization. The J-2 would follow the same procedures as outlined in this handout to apply and once approved will receive a new EAD card. 

A pending application for extension of stay or a pending application for a new EAD does not authorize continued work permission. Therefore, if the J-2 plans to apply for renewal of the EAD, the application must be filed well in advance of the expiration date on the card (at least 3 months in advance). When the J-2 has the new EAD, they must update Form I-9 with their J-2 employer. Questions about extending the DS-2019 should be directed to an OIE advisor.