Bring all original immigration documents listed bellow to your ISSO appointment.  Be sure to bring the required number of copies (below) so your Request for Work Authorization packet may be processed and mailed.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT(S) PLUS TWO COPIES:

    J-2 Applicant’s passport page(s) showing both identity (i.e. picture, name, etc.) and passport expiration date

    J-2 Applicant’s current, valid visa page from passport

    J-2 Applicant’s I-94 white U.S. Admission card (showing both front and back)

    J-2 Applicant’s DS-2019 (i.e. person requesting permission)

    J-1 Primary Alien’s (i.e. spouse of J-2 Applicant) I-94 U.S. Admission white card (showing both front and back)

    J-1 Primary Alien’s current DS-2019 (Remember: expiration date is important)

    Completed Form I-765 - see instructions below (original plus 1 copy)

    Two (2) full-frontal passport photos (see photo instructions; clearly print your name and birthdate on picture back)

    $380.00 Check, made payable to: Department of Homeland Security (original plus 1 copy)

    Letter to the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) requesting employment authorization (stating why income is necessary)

    Completed Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-1145.pdf

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING FORM I-765, ORIGINAL PLUS 1 COPY:

• Check ONE box (1/3 of the way down the page): EITHER “Permission to accept employment’ OR “Renewal of my permission to accept employment”
• Item #10, write the 11-digit number from your I-94 card
• Item #11, if you checked YES, please also submit copies of the front and back of all of your pervious EAD cards
• Item #12, write the date of your last entry to the United States (stamped on your white I-94 U.S. Admission Card)
• Item #13, write the location of your last entry to the United States (written on your I-94 U.S. Admission Card)
• Item #14, write “spouse”
• Item #15, write “J-2 spouse”
• Item #16, fill in ( c ) ( 5 ) (   ) – leave third space empty
• Next to Block 16, do not forget to write above the line marked for your signature, phone number, and current date.

POSSIBLE VALID REASONS FOR REQUESTING J-2 WORK AUTHORIZATION:

• I wish to start a degree program and need to finance it.
• I wish to learn more about American business culture.
• I wish to gain more experience in my professional/academic field.
• I wish to earn money for discretionary expenses. (Please explain to the ISSO advisor.)
• You are not limited to the reasons listed above.  If your reason is not listed here, please submit with all documents a brief written explanation of your reason for requesting a J-2 Work Authorization.

MAIL ALL DOCUMENTS TO THE USCIS SERVICE CENTER: USCIS, PO Box 21281, Phoenix, AZ 85036

Your EAD Card will be mailed directly to you. Upon receiving your card, please bring it to the ISSO to be copied.

AFTER MAILING YOUR APPLICATION:

• The United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) will send you confirmation of receiving your application.
• Approximately two to three months after receiving your application, USCIS will send you an EAD Card (Employment Authorization Document), unless you are found ineligible.
• You must NOT move or change your residence address during the processing period of your employment request.