L2 Visa - For Dependent Spouses and Children of L1 Visa Holders

The L2 Visa is for the dependents of L1 Visa holders, who are foreign specialized workers employed in a branch of their company in the United States.

If the L1 Visa holder opts for a different visa, the L2 Visa holder must also do the same based on their category of visa.

So if your spouse or parent is currently working in the U.S. under the L1 Visa, you can apply for an L2 Visa.

The only family members eligible to apply are immediate ones such as spouses and children. Siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents etc. are not eligible to apply for the L2 Visa.

So in simple terms, you must fit into one of these categories to apply for the L2 Visa:

• You are the spouse of an L1 Visa holder
• You are the unmarried child under the age of 21 of an L1 Visa holder

If you do not fall into one of those categories, you may still enter the U.S. to visit your family under a different U.S. visa. For example, you can apply for a B2 Tourist Visa. Get in touch to find out the best route to submitting a U.S. visa application.

An L2 Visa can be submitted together with the L1 Visa petition, or you can file it at a later date.

At whatever stage you submit the L2 Visa application, you will need to gather together certain documents to support your application and prove your eligibility.

L2 required documents

• Completed Form DS-160, Online Non-immigrant Visa Application
• Your valid passport
• Valid passport for each of your children and/or spouse, if they are travelling with you.
• One photograph of each applicant, which must adhere to the photograph guidelines issued by your local U.S. consulate.
• An original birth certificate for every applicant under the age of 14
• An original marriage certificate (if you are the dependent spouse of an L visa holder)
• A copy of the approved L petition, if available at this stage
• A letter from the L1 visa holder’s employer
• A confirmation letter from the L1 visa holder

Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked by the USCIS to submit further documentation or information.

All necessary documents should be gathered and submitted promptly, as missing documents are one of the most common reasons for a U.S. visa application to be rejected.

The L2 Visa allows spouses to work, but not the children.

In the U.S. an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) must be obtained before you can seek employment, so this must be applied for. This is an L2 visa work permit. Note that an EAD is only valid for two years but it can be extended as many times as you wish, as long as your L2 visa is valid.

If your EAD is approved, you need to then apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), which is a document that is requested by U.S. employers.

With an EAD and an SSN, you will be able to apply for part-time or full-time jobs at any U.S. company. This is referred to as ‘open market employment authorization’ by the USCIS.

You can stay in the U.S. for as long as the main L1 Visa holder (your parent or spouse) holds a valid visa. In other words, your L2 Visa will last for the same duration as the L1 Visa holder’s L1 Visa lasts. In general, an L1 Visa is valid for up to three years.

Can the L2 Visa be extended?

The L2 Visa can be extended if the L1 Visa is extended, and in most cases, an L1 Visa extension will lead to an L2 Visa extension.

The length of time an L2 Visa can be extended for is determined by the time an L1 can be extended for, which depends on the type of L Visa it is. The L1 extension time is a maximum of five or seven years.

Note that when the L1 Visa expires, the L2 Visa holder has to return to their home country as well.

In order to apply for a new visa, you need to spend at least 12 months outside the U.S., which is the same for both L1 and L2 visas.

If you wish to continue your time in the U.S., you might be able to follow another visa route while your current L2 Visa is still valid.

Yes, in general you can switch from the L2 Visa to another visa category. Depending on your circumstances and wishes, you could switch to the F1 Student Visa, H4 Work Visa, or even the L1 Visa if you meet the requirements.

Another route forward that may suit your circumstances is that if you have an EAD and are working for a company, you could request your employer to sponsor you for the H1B Visa.

Note that if your L1 Visa holder changes their visa category while you are staying in the U.S., your immigration status will also change. As an example, if your L1 relative switches from an L1 to an H1 Visa, you can also switch from the L2 to the H2 Visa.

However, in such a case, note that an EAD issued under the L2 Visa status will cease to be valid once you switch to a different visa, and you will need to apply for a new EAD.

Total Law is a law firm specialising in global immigration law across the U.S., Canada, UK and Ireland. Our services range from family, work, study and tourist visa applications to citizenship, asylum and corporate immigration services.

With our expertise, we can work with you to prepare a comprehensive L2 Visa application (or any other U.S. visa application) so that you have the best chance possible of being granted your visa.

In order to submit a successful U.S. visa application, it’s vital to provide all the necessary documentation, as commissions can cause delays.

You will be paired with one of our experienced immigration lawyers, who will:

• Review your situation
• Make sure you are eligible
• Prepare a Letter of Representation to emphasize the merits of your visa application
• Liaise with USCIS throughout the visa application process
• Liaise with your L1 Visa holder as needed
• Provide regular updates throughout the entire L2 application process

Call us today on 0333 305 9375 to speak with one of our immigration experts and learn more about our services. Alternatively, complete the quick online enquiry form.