J Visa Program Employment Documents

Participants in the Department of State's J Visa Program for same-sex domestic partners and spouses are entitled to work while in the United States.  New Social Security Administration policies, however, state that J participants may only receive a Social Security Card with the annotation, "Valid Only with DHS Work Authorization".  This then can create questions as to how our partners and spouses can prove employment eligibility.  The GLIFAA Board, working with the Department's HR staff, has obtained a letter from the Social Security Administration making clear that, despite the annotation, J visa recipients can work and can show their eligibility using their passport, I-94, and DS-2019.  The letter, and the current DHS employer guidelines referenced in the letter (see page 57 for the J visa info), are available below.  Partners and spouses encountering problems while seeking employment should feel free to contact the GLIFAA Board for assistance.