L-2 Visa for Dependents: Complete Guide to Requirements, Work Authorization, Application Process, Documents

The dependents of L-1 visa holders, including spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old), are eligible to accompany their relative through the L-2 visa. If you file your petition and it is approved, your period of stay is valid for the same duration as the L-1 visa holder. There are many benefits of this non-immigrant status, as we’ll explore in this post on the L-2 visa for dependents.

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What is an L-2 Visa for dependents?

The L-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows eligible relatives of L-1 visa holders to remain together in the United States. Just like many other dependent visa categories, the L-2 visa has a straightforward application process.

What Is The L-2 Visa Application Process?

It’s often best that L-2 beneficiaries, including spouses and children, process their visas at the same time as the L-1 applicant. The process will likely be easier as there will be fewer hurdles in proving that a genuine family relationship exists between you. The following are steps to applying for an L-2 visa:

Step 1: Complete the DS-160 Online Application

The DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application is the first step to start the L-2 Visa application process. The form must be completed, filling in the required information for each stage.

Once you finish filling out the form, you will come to a confirmation page. Print out the page and keep it, as the barcode on it will later be needed to book your visa interview. You will need to bring the confirmation printout of the completed application to your interview. The L-1 visa holder will complete the same steps.

Step 2: Pay the Application Fee

You will need to complete your DS-160 and pay the application fee. The basic application fee is $205.00, and additional charges may apply depending on your country of origin.

Step 3: Schedule Visa Appointments: Interview and Biometrics

You will need to book two visa appointments—one for biometrics and the other for the interview. 

Almost all L-2 visa applicants will have a visa interview with a consular officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Some of the only exceptions are dependents who are under 13 years of age. 

You will be given a date for your visa interview at the embassy or consulate. Because the interview is one of the most crucial aspects of your application process, you should try to book a date as early as possible. This will help you avoid delays in your travel plans. Remember, you cannot travel to the U.S. without first attending the interview and having an approved, valid visa.

Step 4: Submit L-2 Visa Documents

To qualify and proceed with the L-2 visa application process, you will need to submit some or all of the following documents:

• Valid passport
• Passport-style photo. See the Department of State’s guidelines surrounding passport photos.
• Original marriage certificate
  • Marriage photographs of both you and your husband/wife
  • Wedding photos
  • For children, you will need the original birth certificate for each dependent
• Written approval of the primary L-1 holder (parent or spouse)
• Your academic qualification certificates, according to what you entered in your DS-160
• Your spouse’s (L-1 holder’s) employment verification letter
• Copy of your L-1 spouse’s I-194 (if already in the U.S.)
• Copy of your L-1 spouse’s petition approval notice issued by the USCIS
• Some copies of L-1 spouse’s salary payslips (if he or she is already working in the U.S.)
• Copy of L-1 spouse’s current tax returns (if any)
• L-1 holder’s I-797 form
• Visa application fee
• Visa issuance fee

Step 5: Attend the Biometrics Appointment

You will need to attend a biometrics appointment at the Visa Application Center. This appointment involves the collection of your fingerprints, photos, and other information needed by the immigration officials.

This must be done before your interview, and you cannot have both your biometrics and interview scheduled on the same date.

Step 6: Attend the L-2 Visa Interview

Once you have completed the above processes, the next and final visa appointment is to attend an L-2 visa interview, which usually lasts between 15 to 20 minutes. The purpose of the interview is to establish that all the claims made in your application are genuine.

During this interview, you will be asked some general and personal questions to determine your eligibility. The questions are mainly to verify if a genuine husband-wife or parent-child relationship exists between you and the L-1 visa holder. Ensure you answer all the questions truthfully, as dishonesty will not only lose you the visa, but it may also result in a temporary or even permanent barring from entry into the U.S.

All things being equal, you should be granted a visa, as long as you meet all the criteria. If your visa is approved, the consular officer may let you know immediately.

The embassy will need to hold on to your passport after the interview, and you will be told when you will receive the passport containing the valid L-2 visa, which you will use to travel to the United States. The wait time between your interview and when you will receive your visa is usually within 10 business days. Once you receive your visa, you can begin planning to travel to the U.S.

What If My Case L-2 Is Pending After the Interview?

Not all visa applicants receive a decision during their interviews. In some cases, the consular officer may need more time to further review your case before deciding on it. This is generally referred to as “pending for administrative processing.”

In this case, you may be required to provide additional information. If your case is subject to administrative processing after the interview, you will be told what to do. And if additional information is requested, be sure to provide the required items before the deadline given to you.

What Is The L-2 Visa Validity Period?

Because the L-2 is a dependent visa, the validity period matches that of the L-1 family member. You can remain in the U.S. for as long as your L-1 spouse or parent has a valid status. The initial period of stay for L-1 visa holders is three years, with the option to extend the stay until the total validity has been reached. 

• If your spouse or parent is an L-1A holder, you will be able to stay in the U.S for a total of seven years on an L-2 visa.
• For L-1B dependents, the maximum is five years.

What Are The L-2 Visa Fees?

• The DS-160 application has a filing fee of $205
• Some additional costs may include:
  • Attorney fees. Contact Visanation for a personalized quote tailored to your case.
  • Travel costs

What Is The L-2 Visa Processing Time?

On average, the L-2 visa processing time takes about 30 days after completing the application, appointments, and submitting the required documents. Although this may vary from case to case, it is ideal to contact a qualified attorney to get the most accurate answer.

Speak with a qualified L-2 immigration attorney about your case

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Automatic Work Authorization for L Spouses

As of November 2021, L-2 spouses are automatically authorized to work in the U.S. without needing to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Children are not authorized to work.

Since the November 2021 announcement, the Department of Homeland Security added new Class of Admission (COA) codes to distinguish between E and L spouses and children. As of Jan. 30, 2022, USCIS and CBP began issuing Forms I-94 with the following new COA codes for certain E and L spouses: E-1S, E-2S, E-3S, and L-2S. An unexpired Form I-94 reflecting one of these new codes is acceptable as evidence of employment authorization for spouses under List C of Form I-9.

All I-94 travel records (given to foreign nationals to document their arrival into the country as well as the permitted length of stay) now include the L-2S annotation, which serves as proof of employment authorization in the I-9 verification process.

As an L-2 visa holder, you can present this notice and your valid I-94 for work authorization. If your I-94 record has an “S” class of admission, you can show your I-94 as a List C employment authorization document. For those who choose to show the I-94 with the new L-2S annotation, also sure to have a form of I.D with you to finish the I-9 process.

Suggested Article: What is Class of Admission? 

Note: USCIS will only send notices to individuals identified as qualifying spouses based on a Form I-539 approved by USCIS. Individuals who received Form I-94 from CBP should visit www.cbp.gov.

Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)

A significant advantage of L-2 status for spouses is the ability to work in the U.S. automatically, without needing to apply for a work permit, as long as their I-94 is marked with L-2S. With this I-94, L-2 spouses can also visit the Social Security Office to apply for an SSN.

What’s great is that you are not restricted to where you can work. The EAD allows you to work for any business in the U.S. on a full or part-time basis. Many refer to this as an open market employment authorization. EAD documents should be issued 90 days from filing, though that wait time varies greatly depending on the service center chosen.

Suggested Article: Immigrants Can Now Apply for Green Card and Social Security Number Simultaneously

Do I Need to Renew Work Authorization for an L-2 Visa?

L-2 spouses do not need to renew an EAD if they have an unexpired Form I-94 with the L-2S code. Work authorization is tied to their valid L-2S status — no separate EAD or renewal is required.

However, to continue working, they must ensure:

• Their L-2 status remains valid (i.e., I-94 has not expired).
• They maintain L-2S designation on any new I-94 issued after travel or status extension.

If the I-94 is close to expiring, the L-2 spouse must extend their L-2 status (typically done through the L-1 principal’s extension). Once approved, USCIS will issue a new I-94, and work authorization continues as long as the new I-94 also reflects L-2S.

Planning on applying for an EAD after completing the L-2 visa process for yourself? It’s best to contact an immigration attorney to learn the fastest route for your case and to make sure that all documents are filed correctly to avoid denials or unnecessary delays.

L-2 Visa Change of Status/ L2 Visa Extension

L-2 visa holders can change their status to B-1, B-2, H-1, or H-4, assuming they meet the eligibility requirements for each.

To request a change of status or extension of stay under L-2 status, while in the U.S., the relatives may apply together on Form I-539 Application to change or extend nonimmigrant status.

Importantly, the validity period for the L-2 visa is dependent on the primary L-1 visa holder, so you can only extend your L-2 if:

• The L-1 visa holder maintains a valid status.
• You remain in the U.S.
• The extensions match the validity period of the L-1 visa (typically in increments of 2 years). 

Will I lose my status if my case is pending with USCIS?

You will not lose status if it’s pending or until 240 days have passed.

What does it mean if my case is held under Section 221(g)?

Section 221(g) means that the Department of State needs more time to administer processes and may request additional information from you. Submit the requested information to the appropriate consular office and discuss the next steps with your immigration lawyer.

Do I keep L-2 status if my spouse changes their visa?

Since L-2 is dependent on the L1 visa holder, your status would change based on your spouse’s new visa.

L-2 Visa Denials

In most cases, an L-2 visa is granted if the L-1 worker and his/her dependents meet the requirements. Based on USCIS regulations, the parents of L-1 holders are not considered dependents (for L-2 dependent visas) even if the L-1 holder is their primary caretaker.

USCIS does, however, retain the right to revoke or deny a visa in the L-2 visa process if it is found that the purpose is not being used to accompany or remain with the principal L-1 worker. Work alongside your immigration attorney to make sure that all necessary steps are taken to ensure a smooth process.

What Are The L-2 Visa Benefits?

The L-2 visa status comes with several advantages, including the ability to:

• Live legally in the U.S. temporarily.
• Attend school or study full-time in the U.S.
• Work part-time or full-time once approved for an EAD
• Transfer to another non-immigrant status like F-1, B-1/B-2, H-1, and L-1
• Ability to travel in and out of the U.S. on brief international trips.

What Is The L-2 Visa to Green Card Process?

One of the biggest advantages of the L class visas is the fact that they are considered to be “dual intent”, meaning that while under L status, you can apply for your green card without affecting your current nonimmigrant status.

The process involves having the L-1 visa holder’s employer file an I-140 petition on their behalf. Once that’s been done and their I-140 has been received by USCIS, that marks their individual priority date, which must be compared against the visa bulletin that is released each month by the Department of State. When your priority date is current, you can then file for an adjustment of status using Form I-485.

L-2 Application Tips

A few tips when going through the L-2 visa process for dependents:

• If you and your spouse (L-1 visa holder) are both filing together, it’s best to submit your applications simultaneously.
• If your last name was changed after your marriage, endorse the change in your passport first; otherwise, you’ll need to use your maiden name in the U.S.
• Double-check that you have enough wedding photographs showing both you and your spouse. These are necessary for demonstrating a bona fide marriage.
• After receiving your visa, be sure there are no errors in the name, DOB, validity date, etc.
• L-2 status can be renewed/extended at the same time the primary L-1 visa holder renews theirs. Be aware that you can’t leave the U.S. and re-enter if you don’t have a valid visa.
• It is important to remember that your time in the country while on an L-2 visa will not count against the 6-year maximum limit for H-1B professionals if you decide to switch to H-1B status.

L-2 Visa Renewal

As an L-2 dependent, your status is tied to the L-1 principal. When the L-1 extends status, L-2 dependents may also extend their stay.

You generally have two options:

1. Extend status from within the United States by filing Form I-539 with USCIS
2. Apply for a new visa stamp at a U.S. consulate abroad (commonly referred to as visa renewal)

However, this second option may require you to remain outside the U.S. for several weeks until your visa is processed. Consult your immigration attorney to learn which route is the most appropriate for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common L-1 visa FAQs and L-2 visa frequently asked questions.