Employment Authorization Document (EAD) FAQ 

Updated September 2024 

Do I need an EAD before I can start working in the United States? 

Yes, UN spouses holding G4 visas are required to obtain an EAD before accepting/starting employment  with a company in the United States. 

How long does it take to get an EAD? 

The process to obtain an EAD varies depending on the number of applications being processed by the  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Based on recent NYLESA member experiences, it is  estimated the process will take 2-3 months from the time of submitting our application and receiving your  EAD. 

What is a PID number? Do I need my PID number before applying for an EAD? 

Once staff members and their family members are registered with the United Nations Offices, the US  Department of State assigns an eight-digit PID number (Personal Identification Number) to each  individual. A PID number is required and EAD applications without a PID number will not be accepted. All  applicants should wait to receive their PID number before applying for an EAD. 

How long does it take to get the PID number? 

The processing time varies but usually takes 2-3 months 

How do I get a Social Security Number (SSN)? 

An SSN is used for tax purposes for individuals who have a G4 visa, have an EAD and work in the US. When  applying for an EAD, there is the option to select that you would like an SSN issued. This should be selected  as you will need to provide your SSN number to employers in the US for tax purposes. 

How do I apply for an EAD? 

In order to apply for an EAD, please submit an application for a work permit to the United States Mission  to the United Nations. 

There are two options to mail/submit your entire application package to the US Mission: 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

  1. 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 –dated and signed within 60 days 
  2. One copy of the I-566 with certification and seal of the staff member’s EO – dated and  signed within 60 days 
  3. One copy of the applicant’srecent I-94 and the principal’sI-94 
  4. One copy of the applicant’s passport bio page and G4 visa 
  5. One copy of the principal’s passport bio page and G4 visa 
  6. Job offer letter – dated and signed within 60 days 

OR 

  1. Self-employment letter, resume (CV), copy of credentials/certifications/license(in the English  language) required for the proposed self-employment 

The forms can be found at the following links: 

Please note 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). 

Does the UN Visa Committee need to review my application prior to submission? 

A review by the Visa Committee is not mandatory, however, you can request the Visa Committee to  review your application to ensure it meets US requirements. If you would like the Visa Committee to  review the submission prior to filing with USUN see steps outlined below.  

What are the steps to follow if I choose to have the UN Visa Committee review my application? 1. Your partner/spouse will email dos-vc@un.org indicating that you and/or your children will be  applying for the EAD. 

  1. The Visa Committee will reply to this initial email and provide a contact form that can be filled in  by the partner/spouse. 
  2. 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. 
  3. The Visa Committee will create a secure location for uploading the application documents and  provide the link to your partner/spouse 
  4. 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. 
  5. The Visa Committee will review your application, provide feedback and then you can submit you  application as described earlier. 
  6. The Visa Committee would like any updated documents after their review to be sent to them to 

update their file. 

 Do I need to pay for my Work Authorization? How much is it? 

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. 

Who can I contact for updates on the process? 

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. 

Who will “sign and seal” the I-566 form in my spouses office? 

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. 

Can I apply for jobs before receiving an EAD? 

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. 

I have received my EAD but have changed jobs or have gone from self-employed to being employed with  a US company. Do I need to do anything? 

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. 

How do I renew my EAD? 

You can renew your EAD 90 days before your EAD expires and you should submit the following documents:  

  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 –dated and signed within 60 days 
  2. One copy of the I-566 with certification and seal of the staff member’s EO – dated and  signed within 60 days 
  3. One copy of the applicant’srecent I-94 and the principal’sI-94 
  4. One copy of the applicant’s passport bio page and G4 visa 
  5. One copy of the principal’s passport bio page and G4 visa 
  6. Photocopy of the EAD document to be renewed (back and front) 
  7. Income Taxes: 
  • State income taxes for all years of prior EAD period 
  • Federal income taxes for all years of prior EAD period 
  • Last 2-3 pay statements if the request is for renewal of an existing Employment Document 9. Job offer letter – dated and signed within 60 days 

OR 

  1. Self-employment letter, resume (CV), copy of credentials/certifications/license(in the English  language) required for the proposed self-employment 

Please refer to information above on how to apply for an EAD on how to mail/submit renewal forms.  

I want to renew my EAD but do not have tax forms for the previous year because I did not work during that  time. What do I do? 

Along with your EAD renewal documents (please see above) please include a letter from yourself (that 

includes your PID number and your spouses PID number at the bottom) outlining that you did not work in  the previous tax year and therefore do not have tax transcripts available to submit.  

I am applying for an EAD for the first time OR renewing my EAD, however my spouses current contract is  ending shortly, and they do not have their new contract yet. How do I apply or renew my EAD? In situations such as this the spouse or partner employed with the UN must ask their HR for a letter outlining  that though their contract is ending shortly, it will be renewed. It is important for this letter to include the  new contract end date. Please include the letter from HR along with a letter from you outlining that your  spouses/partners contract is currently being renewed and the new contract is not available yet but the  letter from HR outlines the new end date of their contract. 

My child (teenager/young adult) would like to get a summer job, do they need an EAD? Yes, spouses and children of UN employees in the US on a G4 visa need an EAD to work in the US. If your  child would like to work, they should follow the steps outlined above on obtaining an EAD. As they will  likely not have work experience, they will not be able to apply as self-employed but instead will need a job  offer. 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.  

EXAMPLE SELF-EMPLOYMENT LETTER 

Self-Employment Proposal Letter  

Environmental Sustainability Consultant  

New York, 08/23/2023 

Dear Sir/Madam, 

I am writing to provide some background on my education and professional experience to support my  application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in the United States. 

My educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in xxx from xxx University, and a Masters in  Science in xxx from The University of xxx. 

In terms of professional experience, I have spent over 10 years doing research on tropical hydrology, with  more than 5 years in the role of technical investigator and research assistant. I conducted field research  at the Agua Salud Project sites under the guidance and support of the Smithsonian Tropical Research  Institute. The research specifically utilized geochemical tracing techniques combined with physical  monitoring of hydrologic fluxes (stream flow, precipitation, etc.). Additionally, Istudied variousland cover  types (such as pasture, rainforest, agroforestry) to help inform decisions about how flooding and drought  are managed in the Panama Canal Watershed. 

Currently, I am residing in the United States on a G-4 spouse visa, consequent to my wife's  secondment to the United Nations. Given this situation, my intention is to work as a self-employed  environmental sustainability consultant, primarily focusing on water resources and environmental  impacts. 

My current experience combined with my background, consists of field and model studies from small plots to entire catchments, data collection and analysis, project development and monitoring (in Spanish and  English), as well as resource mobilization. My plans include offering consulting services to a wide array of  non or for-profit organizations based in New York. These services would include conducting both field and 

desk-based research and preparing detailed scientific reports on findings and recommendations. 

My estimated annual gross income for this year is USD xxx. Working hours are expected to be xxx hours  weekly with an hourly rate of USD xxx. I will keep proper accounting records of income earned for tax  purposes. No services will be provided on a cash basis. 

Yours sincerely,  

xxx