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A J-2 I-765 application to USCIS is your own personal application. You alone are responsible for the accuracy of your Form I-765, timely filing with full documentation, understanding J-2 rules regarding work authorization, and properly maintaining J-2 status.
J-2 work permits are obtained from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) through an application process that takes an average of 3-5 months to process. Employment may not begin until the J-2 has received the work permit, called the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
The EAD allows the J-2 dependent to work in any job, full-time or part-time. Employment cannot extend beyond the end date on the EAD. Extensions of the EAD are possible, up to the end date on the DS-2019. Please note that the extension process also takes an average of 3-5 months, so plan ahead if employment needs to be continuous (without any gaps between work authorization periods).
Please consult with a IIC adviser before planning international travel during this period.
Important Reminders
Important Reminders
J-2 employment applications can only be submitted with the paper I-765 application by mail.
J-2 I-765 EAD applications MUST be submitted from inside the U.S. You must be physically present inside the U.S. when your application is received by USCIS. There are no exceptions.
You must sign and date the I-765 by hand in black ink. USCIS rejects all digital and electronic signatures on the printed USCIS forms.
STEP-BY-STEP Process of the J-2 Employment Application is provided to us by UC Berkley. This is a guide. You are ultimately responsible for making sure this application is done in a timely manner.
J-2 EAD Tutorial - May 12, 2026
Use this guide to complete your application.
Once complete, make an appointment with the IIC staff for review.
It is ultimately your responsibility for the accuracy of your application.
Please consult the IIC staff if this is more than a year old.
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