G4 dependents (spouses or children of World Bank staff who are G4 visa holders) are eligible to work in the United States. They must first obtain an Employment Authorization Card (EAC) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The EAC is commonly referred to as a “work permit” or “work authorization.”

What is the process to obtain an Employment Authorization Card?

• Obtain an application form: It is important to make sure you download the latest one from the WB Intranet. You can access it by typing “visa” in the address bar. You can access the WB Intranet from the WBFN office.

• Submit the completed application and all supporting documents to the HR Visa Office. Pay attention to details. If you miss any step or if you perform any step incompletely or incorrectly, your application will be delayed or rejected. Erroneously prepared applications will be returned to you.

• The HR Visa office will ascertain that you already have a PID number (Personal Identification Number) with the US State Department. In case you do not have a PID number, the HR Visa Office will initiate the process to acquire one. In most cases, the time required to receive a PID number is 2-3 weeks.

• Once the PID number has been confirmed, the HR Visa Office sends your application for a work authorization (EAC) to the State Department from where it will be sent to other US agencies for processing.

• Once the processing by US agencies is completed, the State Department mails the work authorization to the HR Visa Office. This typically takes 12 to 16 weeks.

• Upon receipt of the work authorization, the HR Visa Office immediately contacts the staff member by e-mail. The work authorization or EAC is then available for pickup in G2 at the HR Service Center.

Spouses who are going through marital difficulties/separations can apply for work permits or renewals without the staff member’s involvement by contacting the Visa Office.

Who is eligible for an EAC?

A spouse or dependent child may apply for employment authorization in the United States if all of the following conditions are met:

• The spouse or parent of the applicant is employed by the World Bank Group in the U.S. and holds a G4 visa;

• The applicant holds a dependent G4 visa;

• The staff member’s assignment at the World Bank Group in the U.S. is expected to last more than six months from the date of application for employment authorization;

• The applicant lives in the same household as the World Bank Group staff member (dependent children who live at school during the academic year are considered residents in the staff member’s household); and

• The applicant is physically in the U.S. as evidenced by his/her current I-94 card.

In addition, for dependent children only, the following conditions apply:

• Full-time students are not eligible after their 23rd birthday. Therefore, to allow for processing time, they may not apply for employment authorization unless they are age 22 years 9 months or younger.

• Non-students and part-time students are not eligible after their 21st birthday. Therefore, to allow for processing time, they may not apply for employment authorization unless they are age 20 years 9 months or younger.

• Children who are mentally or physically handicapped may be eligible for employment authorization beyond age 21.

These services are available to G4 dependents only. This typically excludes same-sex spouses, same- or opposite-sex domestic partners, and any child of same-sex spouses or domestic partners who is not also the natural or legally adopted child of the staff member.

Spouses who hold G-4 dependent visas and are married to permanent residents (green card holders) are not permitted to work in the United States and cannot apply for work permits.

When is a Work Authorization or EAC required?

Employment authorization is required for G4 dependents for nearly all jobs in the United States. Employment authorization may not be required for full-time jobs at multilateral organizations (like the World Bank Group, the IMF, the IADB, PAHO, etc.) and at some, but not all, jobs at embassies or consulates. Employment authorization is required to work for other international organizations (such as NGOs) in the United States.

Are G-4 dependents prohibited from taking certain jobs?

Certain jobs in the U.S. economy historically were not granted to G4 dependents unless the applicant was an unmarried, full-time student under age 23. However, in recent years, this prohibition has largely disappeared. The restricted jobs were generally unskilled in nature, e.g., assembler, bartender, clerk, laborer, receptionist, etc. A complete list can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (20CFR656.656.11 Schedule B)

How to renew your work authorization or EAC?

To renew your EAC card you have to follow a set of precise steps. Each step is critical and mandatory. You must submit a copy of your U.S. Federal (not State) income tax return (Form 1040NR, pages 1 and 2 only) for EACH year (or partial year) covered by the last EAC card (maximum: three years). If tax returns are not available, you must submit a signed and dated ‘To Whom It May Concern’ letter explaining the absence of tax returns, with a copy of W-2 forms if any. Please note that a G4 dependent visa holder is a nonresident for US income tax purposes, and files a Form 1040NR, not Form 1040, no matter how long the G4 dependent has been physically present in the United States.

How soon should you begin the process of renewing your EAC?

Work permits should be renewed within 60 days of expiration. A letter is required from the employer along with a copy of the work permit (C4) and a statement from the applicant.

If the work permit is not used it can still be renewed as long as the staff member retains his/her G4 status.

SHOULD YOU EXPERIENCE SERIOUS DELAYS IN RECEIVING YOUR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION CARD (EAC), CONTACT THE WORLD BANK VISA OFFICE (hrvisa@worldbank.org) AND COPY WBFN AT familynetwork@worldbank.org .

After Receiving the EAC Card

Once you receive the EAC card, you can obtain a U.S. Social Security Card. Please note that it is the EAC, not the Social Security Card, that confirms your work authorization. You can obtain the Social Security Card at a Social Security Administration office. Any Social Security Administration Regional Office can assist, but we highly recommend use of the Washington, DC office at 2100 M Street NW due to their familiarity with the otherwise unusual G4 visa. You must take the following documents:

• The new Employment Authorization Card (EAC card)

• Your current Social Security Card (if you already have one)

• Your U.S. CIS Form I-94

• Your passport.

Within the first three days at the new job, you and your employer must complete U.S. CIS Form I-9. To complete the form, you will need to submit documentation of identity and employment eligibility.

EAC Card Expiration

Employment authorization is job-specific. For spouses, the EAC is normally valid for three years or until the end of the staff member’s contract with the World Bank Group, whichever comes first. For children, the validity period varies. If the World Bank Group staff member terminates employment, work authorization ceases immediately, with no grace period, even if the EAC card shows a later expiration date.

Please make and retain copies of EAC cards issued to you in case the original is lost or misplaced.

Changing Employers

G4 dependents with current valid EAC cards may change employers or seek additional employment. In these cases, a new work permit application is NOT required. However, you need to provide the World Bank Group HR Service Center Visa Unit with an offer letter from the new employer, a photocopy of the current EAC Card, and a brief cover note from the G-4 staff member or yourself to the Visa Unit. The Visa Office will forward the information to the State Department. Once the State Department replies to us confirming the employer change, we will notify you.

Taxes

You must pay U.S. federal, state and local (if applicable) income tax on all earnings in accordance with U.S., state and local tax laws.

The World Bank Group will not assist G4 staff or their dependents with tax issues or questions.

Changing from a self-employment work authorization to a work authorization for employment with a company

Those who are working with a work permit for “self-employment”, and then find employment with a company, can switch to an “employed” work permit without going through the full application process. The spouse needs to bring the work permit (C4) and a letter from the prospective employer to the Visa Office, who will notify the State Department. The spouse may then begin employment with the new employer.

Please use this article as a broad guideline to help you obtain a work authorization, but always make sure you get the latest information from the WB Intranet or the Visa office.

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