How difficult to get work permit on J-2 visa?

[katerance]

Hi,
Apologies if this is already answered - I had a look and couldn't find it. My fiance and I are both UK citizens - My fiance is getting a J-1 visa for an 18month job in New York. I have been told I should be able to get a J-2 visa as we will be married by the time his visa comes though but that I can't work unless I get a work permit, which I can't do until I get there. I have been reading up about it and I can't really guage how difficult this is going to be to obtain (i.e. can I assume I can probably get one) and how long it might take as my husband will be on a very small exchange salary - enough to support him but not me too. I work self employed in the UK at the moment as a web and stage designer but also have office qualifications and am happy to do whichever I am more likely to be able to get a permit for as it is only for 18 months and if I can't work, I don't think we can afford for me to go with him.
I'd be very grateful for any advice you could offer me.
thanks
katerance

[iamwhoever]

The process seems very straight forward. The key things to remember is that work authorisation will not be given if they believe that the money earned will be used to support the J-1 visa holder. Here is a link to a page on the Yale University website about the process: http://www.oiss.yale.edu/visa/j2work.htm. It will take 80-90 days, depending on which website you look at, for you to receive your EAD. You are not eligible to work until then. I believe the EAD is only issued for a year, but it can be extended. You can google "J-2 Work Permit" and find several sites. Most will be similar to this one. The key things is, you don't have to find a job first, at least from what I can see. You will just have to be able to support yourself for the 3 month waiting period, though you could receive it sooner, but it wouldn't be much sooner.

Good luck! New York is great!

[katerance]

That's great - thanks very much for your help!