Can L2 Visa Holders Work?

The L2 visa is for the spouses or unmarried children of qualified L1A and L1B intracompany transferees. These individuals can work in the United States and study on a part or full-time basis while they are here.

Currently, dependent spouses of intracompany transferees need to wait for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before they can work. However, this has changed under a policy change announced in November 2021.

Spouses

If you are planning on moving to the United States with your spouse or children, you may be wondering whether they can work with you. Fortunately, L-2 visa holders can work as long as they have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

The EAD is a legal document that allows an l2 visa holder to work anywhere in the U.S. It is issued for two years at a time and can be renewed as long as you maintain your valid status.

An EAD can be obtained by applying for an L-2 visa either with your spouse or as an independent application. Generally, a married l2 spouse must have their EAD approved before their spouse can work in the United States.

To be eligible for an L-2 visa, a family member must demonstrate a genuine relationship with the L-1 visa holder. This can be done by providing evidence of the marriage, such as an original marriage certificate and wedding photographs. The applicant can also provide additional documentation demonstrating that their relationship is genuine.

A marriage is considered to be valid if it has been legally registered in a country and the couple has both been living together for at least one year prior to the application. It is also important to note that if you have children, they must be under 21 years of age to qualify for an L-2 visa.

If your spouse is an L-1 visa holder, they can only work for the US-based employer that filed their petition on their behalf. However, your spouse can work for any US-based company as long as they have an EAD.

An L-1 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa that permits intracompany transferees to live and work in the United States. It is available for workers with specialised skills and knowledge who are transferring to the US from another country.

Traditionally, an L-1 visa holder could only work for the company that submitted their petition. However, this has changed as of April 2022.

In March 2022, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had updated its policy manual to make it easier for dependent spouses of intracompany transferees to obtain employment authorization in the United States. This policy change means that a dependent spouse of an L-1 intracompany transferee can now begin working in the United States as soon as they enter on valid L-2 visa status.

Children

L2 visa holders can work with their spouse and children in the United States, provided that they meet the minimum requirements. They may also be able to study in the U.S. If they are interested in studying, they should make sure that their school is accredited and that they can pay in-state tuition fees.

The INA defines a “child” as an unmarried individual under 21 years of age. This definition is important to understand, because if the child turns 21 before a parent or guardian receives a Green Card as a result of an application for adjustment of status or an immigration visa, the child will no longer be considered to be a “child” and thus no longer be eligible to obtain a Green Card as part of their parents’ immigration case.

In some cases, however, an individual may be able to apply for a Green Card as a derivative beneficiary of a parent’s immigration case even after the child has reached the age of 21. This is possible because of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), which became law on August 6, 2002.

For this reason, it is a good idea to consider filing for a Green Card well before the child turns 21. This will help ensure that the child will be able to obtain the Green Card in time for their 21st birthday and avoid the situation of losing any immigration benefits they originally petitioned for because of the CSPA.

Another important consideration when deciding whether to file for an L-2 visa is the length of validity of the primary L-1 visa. This is because the L-2 visa will be tied to the primary L-1 visa and can only be extended in tandem with the extension of the L-1 visa.

If the holder of an L-1 visa wishes to extend their stay in the United States, they will need to submit Form I-539 to the USCIS. This will allow them to file for an extension of their L-2 dependents’ visas as well.

It is also important to note that if an L-2 dependent wishes to work in the United States, they will need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). They do not automatically receive an EAD and must instead apply for it separately. This can be a lengthy process and should be done with the assistance of an attorney who specializes in immigration.

Students

There are several different types of visas and immigration programs that foreigners can use to move to the United States. The L2 visa is one of them. This nonimmigrant visa allows the spouse and children of an L-1 visa holder to come to the United States to join their relative.

Thousands of people move to the United States every year because they have been transferred on an L-type visa. While most of them are working, some also have family members who want to move to the United States with them.

The spouse and children of an L1 visa holder can apply for an L2 visa, which lets them come to the United States to live with their relative. This is a good option for both families.

You can get an L2 visa by applying to the USCIS with a few documents and going through a few steps. These include an interview, a questionnaire and paying the fees. The average processing time for the visa is 15 days to 1 month.

Once you have your visa, you can apply for a work permit called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This is like a passport that allows you to travel and work in the United States. EADs are valid for two years and can be renewed.

Your EAD allows you to work anywhere in the United States. You can work in a tech company, at a grocery store or in any legal business that pays you. You can even work from home or remotely.

If you have an L2 visa, you can also study part or full-time at a school in the United States. This is a great way to learn about the culture of the United States and improve your English skills.

Students on an F, J or Q nonimmigrant visa who are studying in the United States can exclude from their US gross income any pay that they receive from a foreign employer. This carve-out can help your child or grandchild qualify for financial aid when they study in the U.S.

Getting an L2 visa is a simple process that takes about 30 days and may be done online, but you must still attend an interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application process is the same as other dependent visas, such as the H-4.

Employers

In order to work in the US, non-US nationals need to show that they have appropriate permission to do so. This is done by completing Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) and providing their employer with acceptable evidence of their identity and L2 status. If an L2 visa holder cannot prove that they have this permission, they will be subject to deportation and possible bans on re-entry into the United States.

Fortunately, there are several visas that allow l2 visa holders to work with their employers or their families while living in the United States. These include the L-1A visa for intracompany transferees, and the L-1B visa for specialized knowledge professionals.

An L-1A visa is available for a manager or executive who wants to transfer from their current job at a company overseas to an office in the United States. The L-1B visa is for specialized knowledge professionals who want to transfer from an office at their company abroad to the US affiliate office.

Both visas are valid for the period of time specified in their respective visa applications, and they are allowed to apply for extensions. Extensions of stay are typically granted in increments of two years, and can be applied for until the employee has reached a maximum limit of seven years.

However, the L1 visa holder must always have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) on hand. This is issued after a visa interview and requires a biometrics appointment at a US embassy or consulate.

The EAD is then used to obtain a Social Security Number, and is valid for two years from the date of issue. It is important to apply for an EAD immediately upon arrival in the United States and not wait until you have a job offer before doing so.

In the case of an L2 spouse, a recent change in the law means that you can begin working as soon as you enter the US on a valid L-2 visa. This allows you to avoid the lengthy process of obtaining an EAD, which can sometimes take months or even years.