Employment in J-2 Status
J-2 dependents are eligible to apply to Department of Homeland Security - Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for employment authorization provided the employment is not for the purpose of supporting the J-1.
Applications for employment authorization are made to:
USCIS Service Center
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501-7765
The application consists of:
- Form I-765
- Fee of $180
- 2 full-face photos (see International Student Office for photo guidelines)
- Copy of the current DS-2019 of the J-1, and a copy of the attachment with the dependent's information
- Copies of Forms I-94 (front and back) of both the J-1 and J-2
- Letter from the J-2 stating why the employment is desired, indicating the source and amount of support for the principal participant, and specifically stating that the income derived from employment will not be used for the support of the J-1 exchange visitor.
Whereas J-1 students are not required to pay Social Security taxes, J-2 dependents are required to pay Social Security taxes.