Work Permit – Employment Authorization Document

YES. 

• UN spouses holding G4 visas are required to obtain an EAD before accepting/starting employment with a company in the United States.  
• This rule is also applicable for your child/children. 
• EAD is also required for any volunteer position with any US-based organization.
• EAD is also required if you want to start your own business or self-employment

NO. The EAD is not needed if you work for the UN as a staff or consultant. 

The process to obtain an EAD varies depending on the number of applications being processed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Based on recent NYLESA member experiences, the process takes about 2-3 months from your application to receiving the EAD. 

Because the process takes time, it is recommended that you only apply for your EAD or renewal if your spouse/parter’s contract with the UN has at least 4 months or longer. 

To apply for an EAD, you need to:

• prepare the supporting documents (see details in the related question below),
• submit the application package to the UN Travel and Transportation Section (UNTTS) Visa Committee for review and endorsement (see details in the related question below),
• submit your application package to the United States Mission (USM)   

There are two options to send your package to the USM:

1. By traditional mail directly addressed to the USM (make sure to include tracking) 

Please ensure the envelope is addressed to: 

United States Mission to the United Nations 

Host Country Affairs Office ATTN: EAD 

799 UN Plaza, 13th Floor  

New York, NY 10017 

We recommend that the 2nd line of the address is in bold letters. 

OR

2. In-person delivery to the UN Mail Room located at S-3B-126 (3rd basement, Secretariat  building) they have staff on-site available to assist from Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm.

Please write your full address details on the envelope – home address, e-mail address, phone number. 

Your application package should include the following (all hard copies): 

1. Two passport size photos of the applicant with white background – new, 2×2 in., never been  used in any US documents before. Please lightly write the name at the back of the photo
2. One copy of the I-765 form (https://www.uscis.gov/i-765) –dated and signed within 60 days 
3. One copy of the I-566 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-566) with certification and seal of the staff member’s EO – dated and  signed within 60 days 
4. One copy of the applicant’s most recent I-94 and the principal’sI-94 www.cbp.gov/I94
5. One copy of the applicant’s passport bio page and G4 visa 
6. One copy of the principal’s passport bio page and G4 visa 
7. Job offer letter – dated and signed within 60 days 

OR if self-employed: 

7. Self-employment letter (see sample in Other section)

8. Resume/CV

9. Copy of credentials/certifications/license (in the English  language) required for the proposed self-employment 

Notes:

If you would like to apply for/obtain the EAD before receiving a job offer, you can apply as self-employed using a self-employment letter which outlines your skills, experience and qualifications. An example letter is provided at the bottom of this FAQ document.

Applicants applying as self-employed will  be limited to an initial trial period of no more than one year (although limits to less than one year may be given on a case-by-case basis). 

Yes! From November 2024, all EAD application is requested to submit their application package to the Visa Committee for review and endorsement. This process helps to ensure the application is complete and adheres to the requirements. Only after receiving approval from the Visa Committee, EAD application can be submitted to the US Mission. 

• Your partner/spouse will email dos-vc@un.org indicating that you and/or your children will be  applying for the EAD. 
• The Visa Committee will reply to this initial email and provide a contact form that can be filled in  by the partner/spouse. 
• When the contact form is completed, your partner/spouse will email the Visa Committee to  indicate the contact form is complete and provide their Index Number. 
• The Visa Committee will create a secure location for uploading the application documents and  provide the link to your partner/spouse 
• The partner/spouse will upload your application documents to the secure location and reply to  the Visa Committee indicating that they can begin their evaluation. 
• The Visa Committee will review your application, provide feedback and then you can submit you  application as described earlier. 
• The Visa Committee would like any updated documents after their review to be sent to them to update their file.

EADs for G4 visa holders are free. The only costs coming up throughout the process are for passport  pictures or postal services if you decide to send the application directly to the USM. 

For most agencies, the I-566 form is signed by your spouse’s respective HR contact. If they are unable to  sign and seal the document, they will be able to refer you to the correct individual. 

It is recommended that you only apply for your EAD or renewal if your spouse/parter’s contract with the UN has at least 4 months or longer. See question below about shorter contract. 

Once your EAD application is submitted, you can check the status of your application here:  https://egov.uscis.gov/ and/or you can download an app called ‘Lawfully” where you can track the status of your application. 

You must have an EAD in order to work in the US. If you choose to search for/apply for jobs while waiting  to receive your EAD and are made an offer, you will be unable to start working until your EAD has been received. 

Yes, if you change jobs during the period of your EAD or go from being self-employed to being employed  with a US company, you must notify the United States Mission of the change by sending them a letter  explaining the change, a letter from your new employer outlining you work for them and a copy of your contract. 

It is recommended that you only apply for your EAD if your spouse/parter’s contract with the UN has at least 4 months or longer.

If you want to apply, your spouse or partner must ask their HR for confirmation of the new contract. 

Their HR then needs to fill this new expected end of duty in the I-566 form before they “sign and seal” the form.

Yes. If your  child would like to work, they should follow the steps outlined above on obtaining an EAD.

They need a job offer and will not be able to apply as self-employed.

From NYLESA members, we have heard that children of UN employees have had good luck applying for and obtaining job offer letters from grocery stores and restaurants. 

During their EAD valid period, they should inform the US Mission when they work for a new employer, see the question above.