United States Department of State Office of Foreign Missions

United States Department of State

Office of Foreign Missions

Washington, D.C. 20520

NOTICE

DEPENDENT WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS

Please note the following requirements and guidelines for dependents (other than

at the UN, UN Missions, or TECRO/TECO) requesting employment authorization

in the United States.

Only complete applications (as described on page 3-7) will be considered for

processing and in the order they are received as complete. If an application is

missing any items described on page 3, it will be returned to the embassy or

international organization, which must resubmit it as one complete package.

Applications from the following dependents will not be accepted:

 Children under age 16 or over age 24

 A-2 visa holders who are permanently resident in the United States for

purposes of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations

 A-3, G-2, or G-5 visa holders

Please read Sections A-C carefully, as they apply to all applications and renewals.

Refer to the additional sections for G-4 and NATO visa holders as needed.

What to Expect after Submitting an Application to OFM

OFM reviews a complete application package (approximately 10 business days

after receipt), then mails the application to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration

Service (USCIS). USCIS processes applications and issues the EAD card. Allow

6-10 weeks for processing.

If the embassy receives a Request for Evidence (Form I-797E), the applicant must

provide the required documentation to USCIS by the deadline stated or the

application will not be processed by USCIS.

-2-

Applicants and embassies can check on the processing status of the EAD

application by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-

800-375-5283.

If the embassy received a Notice of Receipt (Form I-797C) by mail for the

application, use the receipt number to look up the processing status and USPS

tracking number at: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do. Delivery can

then be tracked at http://www.usps.com.

If the embassy has not received the EAD card 7 weeks after submitting a complete

application package, please contact OFM at OFM-EAD@state.gov and provide the

following information:

 Dependent's name and PID number

 Principal's employer

 Date of submission of application

 Receipt number (if available)

Lost or Stolen EAD Cards

If an applicant needs to replace a lost or stolen EAD card, a complete I-765

requesting a replacement along with 2 passport photos and a diplomatic note must

be submitted to OFM.

EADs Cards Not Delivered

If USPS tracking indicates that a newly-issued EAD card was undeliverable or if

the EAD card has not been received 4 weeks after the submission date of the

application, email OFM-EAD@state.gov and include the applicant’s PID number

and LIN number if available.

Social Security Numbers

For information about Social Security numbers, please refer to circular note

No. 14-2069, dated December 3, 2014, available at:

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/234856.pdf .

A complete application package for dependents requesting employment

authorization must include the following:

-3-

A. Instructions for All Applications

B. Additional Instructions for Applications Based on De Facto Arrangements

C. Additional Instructions for Renewal Applications

D. Additional Instructions for G-4 Visa Holders

E. Additional Instructions for NATO Visa Holders

A. Instructions for All Applications

 Diplomatic note from the embassy or international organization, including

point of contact’s e-mail address. The note from the international

organization should note the nationality of the principal, not the dependent.

 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. (The following

version must be used: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-

765.pdf.)

o The form must be filled out with black ink or typed, with the original

signature of the applicant.

o For Part 2, use the mission as the U.S. mailing address (excluding

NATO).

 Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request. (The most recent version must

be used: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-566.pdf.)

o Two (2) copies of the form must be submitted, both typed and

completed, with the original signature of the applicant on both.

 In Parts 1 and 2, Section 2, both copies must include the

applicant’s current residential address. This address must match

the address that has been notified to OFM through eGov. If the

applicant has recently moved, include this information in the

diplomatic note.

o Part 8 must be completed, signed, and dated by an accredited officer

of the embassy or international organization. Embassies and

international organizations must put a seal or stamp on the form.

 Under Part 8, boxes 1 and 2 must be checked.

-4-

 For all except G-4 visa holders: check box 2.a. or 2.b. (as

appropriate) and type the principal’s country of employment in

the appropriate box.

o Under Part 2, Section 3, an expected end date of the principal’s tour of

duty must be provided.

 Copy of valid passport, visa, and Form I-94 (which can be found here:

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html) for both the principal and the

dependent.

 Two (2) passport photos of the dependent that are taken within the last 30

days of submitting the application. Write the applicant’s name and alien

registration number on the back of each photo.

 If the applicant is a child age 21, 22, 23, or 24, an enrollment verification

letter for the current semester from a college or university registrar’s or

bursar’s office in the United States certifying that the dependent is a full-

time student. Notification of change for justified student must be submitted

on eGov.

o Note: Only certain bilateral work agreements allow students age 23 or

24 to apply under this program. If the current semester is coming to

an end, the enrollment verification letter must indicate that the

applicant is or will be enrolled as a full-time student for the upcoming

semester or term.

 If the applicant is a child who is physically or mentally disabled, a letter

from a physician within the past 6 months confirming that the dependent

child is disabled and dependent on his/her parent. Notification of change for

justified handicap must be submitted on eGov.

Complete and certified application packages may be hand delivered or mailed to:

Department of State

OFM Customer Service Center

3507 International Place NW Washington, DC 20522

Please direct questions to OFM-EA[email protected] and include the applicant’s PID

number.

-5-

B. Additional Instructions for Applications Based on De Facto Arrangements

If the dependent is applying under a de facto work arrangement:

 On Form I-566, under Part 2, Section 3, the expected end date of the

principal’s tour of duty must be more than six months from the date the form

is signed.

 Include a statement from the prospective employer which includes: the

dependent's name, a description of the position offered and the duties to be

performed, the salary offered, and verification that the dependent possesses

the qualifications for the position.

o If the dependent intends to be self-employed, also include information

about the prospective clients, how the dependent intends to advertise

his/her services, and resume or CV. Such letter must be provided and

signed by the dependent.

C. Additional Instructions for Renewal Applications

For renewal EAD applications, also include:

 A copy of previous EAD.

 Federal and state income tax returns for such years previously authorized to

work in the United States.

o Applicant should have filed federal income tax Form 1040NR or

1040NR-EZ for the years during which they worked as an A or G visa

holder. For NATO only: applicants can file either 1040 or 1040NR

forms.

 Applicants must provide signed income tax returns or proof of

e-filing.

o If applicant had an EAD but was never employed, applicant should

include a statement certifying that he/she earned no income.

D. Additional Instructions for G-4 Visa Holders

If the dependent is a G-4 visa holder,

-6-

 On Form I-566:

o Under Part 2, Section 3, an expected end date of the principal’s tour of

duty must be provided.

o Under Part 8, Section 2.c., check the box labeled “Based on principal

alien’s G-4 status”.

 Include a statement from the prospective employer which includes: the

dependent's name, a description of the position offered and the duties to be

performed, the salary offered, and verification that the dependent possesses

the qualifications for the position.

o If the dependent intends to be self-employed, also include information

about prospective clients and how the dependent intends to advertise

his/her services. Such letter must be provided and signed by the

dependent.

E. Additional Instructions for NATO Visa holders

If the dependent is a NATO visa holder:

Instructions for Applicants

 Also include:

o Command verification letter. See the OFM website

http://www.state.gov/ofm/accreditation/dwa/nato for the format of

the Command Verification Letter.

o Copy of one of the following: assignment orders, posting

instructions, or NATO travel order/contract.

 On Form I-566:

o Part 1, Section 11 and Part 2, Section 7. DOS Personal

Identification Number (PID). NATO applicants leave this field

blank, because the PID is provided by the certifying office.

o In Part 2, Section 3, enter the tour of duty expected end date, as

per the attached orders. This date must match the date in the

command verification letter.

 Submit the application for processing to:

-7-

o If you are a dependent of a NATO official who is stationed at

Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

(NATO/HQ SACT), your application must be processed by the

U.S. Liaison Office (USLO) to SACT. Submit Form I-765 with

Form I-566 and other required documents to:

USLO to SACT

7857 Blandy Road, Suite 200

Norfolk, VA 23551-2491

o If you are a dependent of a NATO official who is stationed outside

of NATO/HQ SACT, your application must be processed and

certified by the embassy, or its designated liaison office, of the

NATO member that employs the principal. Submit Form I-765

with Form I-566 and other required documents to the contact listed

on the OFM website

http://www.state.gov/ofm/accreditation/dwa/nato.

Instructions for Certifying Organizations (I-566 Part 8):

The certifying organization must follow the instructions in Part A of this

document, and:

 Verify that the tour of duty date end date matches both the orders and the

command verification letter. The assignment must be at least six (6)

months and orders must be attached.

 Ensure that a PID has been created through the eGov notification process

for both the principal (Part 2, Item 7) and applicant (Part 1, Item 11.) See

the next section for details.

Instructions to USLO to SACT and Embassies for Notification and Obtaining a

PID

USLO to SACT or the embassy, or its designated liaison office, must enter a

notification of appointment of the principal and all dependents through the

Department of State eGov system. Such notification is only for the purposes of

obtaining an EAD.

-8-

 OFM reviews the notification of appointment and provides a PID, usually

within 2-3 business days.

 No ID will be issued, nor privileges and immunities added or changed, as

a result of notifying the NATO principal and dependents through eGov.

 USLO to SACT or the embassy must update the information through

eGov if the applicant or principal changes status or has a change of

address.

To request an eGov account, complete the online form:

https://egov.ofm.state.gov/Home/RequestAccess.

For eGov technical questions, contact OFMeGovHelpDesk@state.gov.