Spouses of L-1 Intracompany Transferees, who hold “L-2” status in the United States, may apply for an employment authorization document (“EAD”) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).  Spouses must have made an entry into the United States in L-2 immigration status.

Where to file for an EAD depends on where one resides. The addresses and their state jurisdictional limits are as follows:

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

 

USCIS
Attn:NFB
P.O. Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036-1281

     OR

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: NFB (Box 21281)
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850

Jurisdiction over: AZ, CA, MN, OR and PA

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USCIS Elgin Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS): 

USCIS
Attn: NFB 
P.O. Box 4115
Carol Stream, IL  60197-4115

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: 

USCIS 
Attn: NFB (Box 4115)
2500 Westfield Drive 
Elgin, IL 60124-7836

Jurisdiction over: NJ and NY 

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USCIS Chicago Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
Attn: NFB
P.O. Box 805371
Chicago, IL 60680-5371

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: NFB (Box 805371)
131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Jurisdiction over: IL, IN, IA, MI, MO, OH, WA, WV and WI 

==================================

USCIS Dallas Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
Attn: NFB
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266-0867

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: NFB (Box 660867)
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

Jurisdiction over: All other states not listed above

 

L-2 applicants must file Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization with the following:

1. Two passport-style color photographs;
2. Photocopy of I-94 record printout from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/  for the L-2 spouse;
3. Photocopy of I-94 record printout from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home  for the L-1 transferee;
4. Photocopy of USCIS Form I-797 Approval Notice (issued to the L-1 transferee’s employer) – if available or if applicable.  [In the case of an L “Blanket” approval, include a copy of the stamped or endorsed Form I-129S instead];
5. We recommend including proof of marital relationship, ideally a photocopy of the marriage certificate.  If the marriage certificate is written in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an English-language translation.  In the absence of marriage certificate, include photocopies of the identity pages from the L-2 spouse’s passport and the passport page that contains the latest L2 visa issued by the U.S. consulate.  The L2 visa should be annotated “PA <name of L-1>,” which will help to establish the spousal relationship;
6. Color photocopy of a government-issued photo-ID, such as a clear and legible copy of a state-issued driver’s license or the identity pages from the L-2’s passport, or the L-2 visa; and
7. Filing fee (a personal check is acceptable, made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”) in the amount of $410.00.

On Form I-765, in Part 16, complete the three bracketed fields by inserting “a” and “18.”  Leave one of the bracketed fields blank.  It does not matter which one, as long as Part 16 indicates “(a)(18).”

We recommend that applications be filed with USCIS via traceable means, such as certified mail with a return receipt requested, U.S. Express Mail, or private overnight delivery service (such as FedEx or UPS).

USCIS will issue a Form I-797 Receipt Notice to the person named in Part 1 on the I-765 and will send the Receipt Notice to the address listed in Part 1.  When USCIS approves the request for an EAD, it will mail the EAD (it is a plastic card, much like a credit card) to the applicant via first-class U.S. mail.  Processing times at the various USCIS Service Centers vary, but most EADs are produced in 60-90 days.

The EAD typically will be valid for the period of time for which the L-1’s status (as noted on the  L-1’s I-94) is valid, or two years – whichever is shorter.  (The expiration date on the L-2 spouse’s I-94 and on the L-1 transferee’s I-94 should be the same.) 

The procedure for renewing an EAD is the same as the procedure described above. USCIS treats a renewal as a new application which requires a new I-765, new supporting documentation, and new filing fee.  We recommend that EAD renewals be filed with USCIS more than three (and preferably four) months before the existing EAD will expire so as to avoid the possibility of a gap in continued work authorization.

L-2 spouses may apply for a Social Security Number by presenting their EAD and other documents and completing a Form SS-5 in person at the nearest office of the Social Security Administration. Seehttp://immigration.dinslaw.com/appl_for_ssn_card.aspx

The USCIS website where more information can be found is located at:

I-765 Instructions

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-765instr.pdf

I-765 Application
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-765.pdf