Last Updated on March 27, 2025 by Anda Malescu
L1 visa spouse & children: Process, requirements & benefits
Spouse and children of L1 visa holders are dependents of the principal L1 visa holder and can come to live in the United States on an L2 visa.
In addition, only unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible to apply and accompany the L1 visa holder in the USA on an L2 visa.
The period of stay allowed on an L2 visa for both spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old is the same as for the L1 visa holder.
Canadian L1 visa holders’ spouses and children enter the U.S. on L2 status without a visa. Non-Canadian dependents, however, require an L2 visa when applying for admission to the US. For details, see our L-1 visa for Canadians page.
Benefits of L2 visa
The L2 visa has many benefits for the spouse and children of L1 visa holder, including:
The L2 visa duration
The spouse and children of an L1 visa holder who intend to join the principal L1 holder in the United States on an L2 visa are subject to the same visa validity, period of admission, and limitation of stay as the holder of the L1 visa.
The L2 visa is a dependent visa and as a result, the duration of valid stay and admission is the same as for the family member on L1 visa status. In other words, spouse and children on L2 visa can be present in the United States for as long as the family member on L1 visa has valid status. In addition, any limitations of stay in the US for the L1 visa holder applies to the L2 dependents, the spouse and children.
The maximum L2 visa duration for the spouse and children depends on the type of L1 visa their family member has and it can be up to 7 years in the case of dependents of L-1A visa and 5 years in the case of dependents of L-1B visa.
In addition, the L2 visa duration for the initial period of stay depends on whether the principal L1 visa employee is coming to the United States to establish a new office or to join a pre-existing US office.
In the case of establishing a new US office, the initial L2 visa duration is 1 year and for joining a pre-exiting office the initial L2 visa duration is 3 years with the option to extent until the maximum period allowed discussed above.
The L2 visa processing time
Generally, the L2 visa processing time at US consulates and embassies around the world is about 30 days from the time of application.
The L2 visa applicants must go through consular processing at a US consulate or embassy in order to obtain an L2 visa. Otherwise, if the applicant is in the United States, can apply for change of status to L2 visa. Generally, it is best for spouses and children of L1 visa holders who are L2 beneficiaries to process their L2 visas at the same time as the L1 applicant.
The L2 visa processing time at US consulates and embassies vary depending on the caseload but on average the processing time is 30 days from the time the L2 application and required documents are submitted.
How to apply for L2 Visa for Spouse and Children
Applying for L2 Visa for Spouse and Children is a straightforward process and requires a number of documents.
To apply for an L2 visa for spouse and children of L1 visa holders, the visa applicants must submit an application at the US Consulate or Embassy in their country together with the L2 visa required documents.
The application process for L2 visa includes couple of steps listed below:
1. Complete the DS-160 Visa Application
The initial step for an L2 visa is completing Form DS-160 (allow 2 hours). After you submit it, print the confirmation page. This page is required for scheduling your visa interview. You must also bring the confirmation page to your visa interview at the U.S. Consulate/Embassy.
2. Pay the Visa Fee
The second step is to pay the visa fee depending on the type of visa you request. Each US Embassy and Consulate has its own options on how to pay the visa, including what are the specific banks you can make the payment to and how to make the payment. Please keep your visa payment receipt for your records and to book an appointment for the L2 visa interview.
3. Schedule Visa Appointment
After you submitted the DS-160 Visa Application, the third step in obtaining the L2 visa is to make an appointment for the visa interview and biometrics. Generally, L2 applicants have the visa interview with the consular officers, but there may be some exceptions for children under 14 years old. After applying for the visa interview, the US Consulate or Embassy will inform you of the date and time of the interview.
4. Submit L2 Visa Required Documents
At the time you schedule the L2 visa interview appointment you have to submit the following information and L2 visa required documents.
L2 Visa required documents
5. Attend L2 visa interview
The last step is to attend the L2 visa interview, where you will be asked a series of questions regarding your personal life, including your relationship with the L1 visa holder, and other general and personal questions.
L2 visa interview questions for spouse
Consular officers typically ask these L2 visa interview questions:
If the interview goes well and the visa is approved, the consulate will keep your passport to stamp your L2 visa. Finally, the passport with the visa is returned to you based on the arrangements you have made to receive the passport. Keep in mind every US Consulate and Embassy has its own rules regarding the passport delivery.
If however, the visa is not approved at the time of the interview and the consular officer needs additional information to make a decision or more time to review the L2 visa case, then the consular officer usually instructs on the next steps. Such a situation where the consular officer does not reach a decision at the time of the interview is known as “pending for administrative processing.”
Change of status for spouses and children of L1 visa holders
Spouses and children of L1 visa holders can apply for change of status to L2 visa while in the United States, and in addition can file for change of status from L2 visa to other types of US visas.
If the L2 dependent, spouse or children are in the United States on a different visa, and they want to remain in the United States to be together with the L1 visa holder, then they can file for change of status/extension of status to L2 visa.
In addition, spouse and children of L1 visa holder, having an L2 visa status can change their status from L2 visa to other visas such as L-1 visa, E-2 visa, H-1 and H-4 visa, B1/B2 visa, O1 visa and others.
If the L2 dependent, spouse or children, want to change the status to H1 visa or L1 visa at any time, the time spent in the USA on L2 visa is not counted towards the maximum duration allowed on an H-1B or L-1 visa.
L2 visa extension stamping
The L2 visa beneficiaries spouse and children can renew or obtain an extension stamping when the principal L1 visa holder does so.
For an L2 visa holder to obtain a renewal or extension stamping, the L1 visa holder must renew or extend the L1 visa. If the spouse and children on L2 visa are in the United States, they can file for extension of status, preferably at the same time the L1 visa spouse files for renewal or extension of L1 visa. If the L2 visa holders are outside of the USA, they can seek an L2 visa renewal or extension stamping at the US Consulate or Embassy.
EAD for spouse L2 visa holder
To work in the U.S., spouses of L1 visa holders must enter and receive L-2S classification on their I-94 form. They may then optionally apply for an EAD with USCIS. Keep in mind spouses are automatically authorized to work upon receiving L-2S status and may optionally apply for an EAD while in the U.S., but EAD is no longer required for employment.
An L2 visa spouse can work in the US with either: 1) an I-94 showing L-2S status, or 2) an approved EAD. This grants them unrestricted work authorization, allowing them to work full-time, part-time, be self-employed, own a business or work as 1099 independent contractor.
To obtain an optional EAD, L2 spouses must file an application with USCIS for work authorization and submit required documents. If you do not have a social security number (SSN) at the time of application, you can request one within the EAD application.
For an L2 spouse EAD application, submit documents verifying L2 status, the principal L1 holder’s status, and your marriage certificate. Expect processing times between 1-5 months, with an average of 3 months.
L2 spouse EADs are valid for two years and can be renewed within 180 days of expiration, provided the spouse maintains valid L2 status.
L1 dependent children cannot work in the United States and are ineligible to obtain US work authorization.
L2 visa to green card
L2 visa is a dual intent visa and spouse and children of L1 visa holders can apply for green card without affecting their L visa status.
The most important aspect of the L type visas is that they are “dual intent.” This means that the L visa holders, whether holder of an L1 visa or L2 visa may apply for a green card without negatively affecting their nonimmigrant L status. However, this is not the case for other types of visas such as the E visa, F visa, J and M visa, TN visa and others.
If the L1 visa holder applies for green card, then the spouse with L2 visa can also be included in the green card application. In fact, it is better for both spouses to file the green card applications at the same time. Additionally, the L2 visa spouse has the option to apply for adjustment of status while physically present in the United States or for an immigrant visa at a US Consulate and Embassy abroad while the applicant is overseas.
Malescu Law can assist
Our L1 visa lawyers can handle your entire family’s process: L1/L2 visas, EAD, change of status, extension of status and adjustment.
We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Contact us today or book a consultation.
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