If you’re an employee with an international company being transferred to the US on an L-1 visa, one of the biggest concerns might be how to keep your family together during this assignment. That’s where the L-2 visa comes in. It’s the key to making that happen, allowing your immediate family to join you in the US.
At Remitly, we understand that moving internationally as a family involves many considerations, from immigration processes to managing your finances in a new country. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the L-2 visa. We’ll cover eligibility, the application process, key benefits, and answers to common questions to help you prepare with confidence.
What is the L-2 visa?
An L-2 visa is a dependent visa for the immediate family members of individuals holding a valid L-1 visa. The L-1 visa is for intracompany transferees—employees of a multinational company who are being transferred from a foreign office to a US office, either:
- Managers/executives (L-1A)
- Employees with specialized knowledge (L-1B)
The primary purpose of the L-2 visa is family unity. It enables the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to accompany the L-1 visa holder to the US and reside with them for the duration of their work assignment.
Who qualifies for an L-2 visa?
Eligibility for the L-2 visa is directly tied to the principal L-1 visa holder’s status. To qualify for an L-2 visa, you must be either:
- The legal spouse of a valid L-1 visa holder
- An unmarried child under the age of 21 of a valid L-1 visa holder
Common-law marriages are generally not recognized for L-2 eligibility unless the relationship is legally considered a marriage in the jurisdiction where it took place and is recognized for US immigration purposes.
Necessary documentation to prove eligibility
Applicants must provide clear proof of the qualifying relationship and the principal L-1 holder’s status. Key documents include:
- Proof of relationship
- A valid, government-issued marriage certificate for spouses
- A valid, government-issued birth certificate (or adoption decree) for children
- Copy of the L-1 visa holder’s documentation
- Their passport and valid L-1 visa stamp
- Their Form I-797 Approval Notice for the L-1 petition filed by their employer with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or Form I-29S if applicable
- Their most recent Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, confirming their L-1 status
- A letter from the L-1 visa holder’s employer confirming their continued employment, position, and salary
- Valid passports for all L-2 applicants
- Evidence of financial support: You need to prove that the L-1 visa holder can financially support their family in the US.
Key benefits of the L-2 visa
- Ability to reside in the US together as a family
- Eligibility for spouses to seek employment with a US employer
- Permission for spouses and children to study in US schools, colleges, or universities
The L-2 visa application process: A step-by-step guide
The application process for an L-2 visa takes place at a US embassy or consulate outside the United States.
Step 1: Complete Form DS-160
Each L-2 applicant, regardless of age, must complete the Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. For minors, this is usually done by a parent or guardian. This form gathers personal information, details of the intended stay, and information about the principal L-1 visa holder.
Step 2: Pay the visa application fee and schedule an interview
After submitting the DS-160, you must pay the non-refundable visa application fee. You can then schedule a visa interview at your nearest US embassy or consulate. Family members may be able to schedule their interviews together, depending on the consulate.
Step 3: Gather required supporting documents
Collect all the necessary documentation listed in the eligibility section above, including passports, relationship certificates, the L-1 principal’s documents, photos meeting US visa specifications, and fee payment receipts.
Step 4: Attend the visa interview
Attend the scheduled interview with all your documentation. A consular officer will ask questions to verify your eligibility, your relationship to the L-1 visa holder, and your intent. Young children may not be required to attend—check the specific consulate’s policy.
Additional steps if seeking work authorization for spouses
A major benefit of the L-2 visa is that spouses are eligible for work authorization. As of 2022, USCIS policy recognizes L-2 spouses as being employment authorized incident to their status, meaning they may not always need a physical EAD card to prove work authorization to employers. However, some employers still prefer a physical Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
You can apply to USCIS for an EAD by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, after you have arrived in the US and are in valid L-2 status. Children are not eligible for work authorization.
Estimated processing times and potential fees
Consular processing times: This can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the US embassy or consulate’s workload and appointment availability.
USCIS processing times for Form I-765 (EAD): This can also take several months, depending on the service center. Check the USCIS website for current processing time estimates.
Fees: Include the visa application fee at the consulate and the separate filing fee for Form I-765 if applying for work authorization.
Common challenges and solutions for L-2 applicants
Awareness of common hurdles can help you prepare a stronger application.
Delays in securing appointments for visa interviews
US consulates can have significant backlogs. It’s important to apply as early as possible once the principal L-1 visa holder’s petition is approved. Monitor the consulate’s appointment scheduling system frequently for any openings.
Proving the spousal/parental relationship with proper legal documentation
Ensure all marriage and birth certificates are official, government-issued documents. If they are not in English, you will need to provide a certified translation. Be prepared to answer questions about your relationship during the interview. Consular officers may ask for additional proof of relationship in some cases—for example, if you were recently married.
Understanding options for work or study while on the L-2 visa
Clarify the rules. Spouses can work in the US, but children cannot. Both spouses and children are permitted to study in the US (full-time or part-time, in public or private educational institutions) without needing a separate student visa (F-1).
Once you’re settled, Remitly makes it easy for you to send money from the US to your home country without those banking hard knocks.
L-2 visa validity and renewal
The L-2 status is directly tied to the L-1 principal’s stay.
Duration for L-2 visas
An L-2 visa’s validity and the authorized period of stay (as per the I-94 record upon entry) are granted to match the L-1 visa holder’s status. The maximum period of stay for an L-1A visa is seven years, and for an L-1B visa is five years. This includes all time previously spent in L-1 status.
Renewal/extension process for L-2 visas
If the L-1 visa holder’s employer files to extend their L-1 status, dependents must also apply to extend their L-2 status. If they are in the US, they must file Form I-539—either at the same time or after the L-1 extension is approved.
If outside the US, dependents must apply for a new L-2 visa at an embassy or consulate after the L-1 extension has been approved.
Conclusion
If your family’s heading to the US because of an L-1 assignment, the L-2 visa isn’t just paperwork; it’s your ticket to staying together and thriving as a unit. It lets spouses work, kids go to school, and gives everyone a real shot at building a life while you’re in the US, not just tagging along.
Yes, the process has its steps (and its fair share of paperwork), but with preparation and a good grasp of what to expect, it’s entirely doable. Start by pulling your documents together, and don’t be afraid to get help; an immigration expert can make the road a whole lot smoother.
FAQs
Can L-2 visa holders work in the US?
L-2 spouses are eligible to work in the US, meaning they do not need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if their Form I-94 includes the L-2S designation. However, many still choose to apply for an EAD using Form I-765. L-2 children are not permitted to work.
How long does it take to process an L-2 visa application?
The processing time for the L-2 visa stamp at a US consulate can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on appointment availability and the specific consulate’s workload. If applying for work authorization (Form I-765) in the US, processing times at USCIS can also take several months, depending on the service center.
What happens if the L-1 visa holder loses their status or changes employers?
The L-2 status is directly dependent on the L-1 principal. If the L-1 holder loses their job and L-1 status, the L-2 dependents also lose their status and must depart the US. This may be subject to a 60-day grace period. If the L-1 holder changes employers, the new employer must file a new L-1 petition, and the L-2 dependents’ status would be tied to the approval of that new petition.
Are extensions available for L-2 visa holders?
Yes. L-2 visa holders can apply to extend their stay as long as the principal L-1 visa holder also extends their status, up to the maximum limit for the L-1 category (seven years for L-1A, five years for L-1B). The extension is requested by filing Form I-539 with USCIS.