J-2 Work Permission

• $410 application fee.* You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check or cashier’s check payable to Department of Homeland Security. Or, you may pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. *The fee will increase to $470 effective April 1, 2024. Refer to the USCIS website to confirm fee information.
• Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization): The J-2 applicant should complete this form. We recommend typing the application using the fillable form to avoid errors on your EAD. In item 25, write "J-2 Dependent." In item 27, write "c" inside the first set of parentheses and "5" inside the second set. Leave the third set blank. In any and all boxes on the application that do not apply to you, write “none” or “N/A” (not applicable).
• Form G-1145 (optional). Use this form to request an e-notification from USCIS when your application is received. Paperclip the form to the front of your application.
• Two passport-style photographs that meet USCIS requirements: Print your name on the back of each photo. Do not cut photos to size; USCIS will cut them to their specifications.
• J-2 statement: On a separate piece of paper, the J-2 applicant should state that the work permission is not necessary to support the J-1 visa holder but is for other purposes (e.g. cultural, recreational, and travel expenses for the J-2 dependent).
• J-2 immigration documents: Photocopies of the J-2's current and any previous Forms DS-2019; J-2 entry visa stamp, and passport identity page(s). [If you are applying for an extension of your current EAD, include a copy of your current EAD (front and back) along with the paper slip it was attached to when you received it in the mail].
• J-2 admission record: Printout of most recent I-94 admission record and photocopy of most recent admission stamp in the passport, if applicable.
• J-1 immigration documents and admission record: Photocopies of the J-1's Form DS-2019; most recent I-94 admission record and admission stamp in the passport; if applicable; J-1 entry visa stamp; and passport identity page(s).

MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING FOR YOUR OWN RECORDS BEFORE YOU SEND THE APPLICATION. We suggest you mail this application at the post office by "certified mail/return receipt requested" or express mail.

For U.S. Postal Service Deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: NFB

P.O. Box 4115

Carol Stream, IL 60197-4115

For Express Mail Deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: NFB (Box 4115)

2500 Westfield Drive 

Elgin, IL 60124-7836

PLEASE NOTE: If you do NOT live in Massachusetts, you may be required to mail your application to a different address. Click here for more information.

If you and the J-1 exchange visitor will remain in the United States after the end date of your current EAD, you must obtain an extension of employment authorization in order to continue working.The application procedure is the same as for your original permission. Send a copy of your current EAD [include the paper slip that your current EAD was attached to when you received it in the mail] along with the other required documents as outlined on the checklist. Another EAD will be issued with new dates. The J-1's extension of stay must be granted before Form I-765 for extension of work permission for the J-2 is submitted to USCIS. It is important to complete both the extension of stay and the extension of employment authorization procedures before the expiration date of the J-1's current Form DS-2019.