
Can L-2 visa holder work in USA?
With an L-2 visa, you can get a degree and study in the U.S, but the most beneficial activity is that you are allowed to work. Children of L-1 visa holders do not qualify to work, but spouses do. To be eligible to work with this type of visa, you must get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
How long is L-2 visa valid for?
The L-2 visa is a dependents visa, meaning that it is directly tied to the L-1 visa. So, as an L-2 dependent, your visa is valid for as long as the L-1 visa holder (your spouse or parents) is valid.
What is the difference between L1 visa and L2 visa?
An L1 visa is granted to someone who has been transferred within a company from an international branch to one situated in the U.S. Then the L2 visa holder must also be a dependent of the L1 visa holder.
How much does it cost to get an L2 visa?
You should be granted a visa, as long as you meet all the criteria. The L2 visa application fee for each applicant is $190 USD. What is the Processing Time for the L2 Visa? Usually, the processing time for the L2 visas is from 15 days to 1 month. However, it basically depends upon the workload of the Embassy and other factors.

Is an L-2 visa holder an international student?
The L-1 visa holder may change status to permanent residence through the EB-1 or EB-5 green card programs. Most foreign students in the USA hold either F-1 status or J-1 status. The child of an L-1 visa holder may attend school under the L-2 visa.
Can I do Masters on L-2 visa?
Regardless of your reasons to study in the US, you may wonder if you are allowed to study masters on H4 or L2 visa. The good news is that you can study on H4 visa or L2 visa either as a part-time or full-time student.
Can you work on campus with L-2 visa?
Unfortunately no, you need to have the L-2 EAD to work and you are not authorized without the separate card to be lawfully employed, even on campus - those in L-2 visa status have different work options than those in F-1 student visa...
Can L-2 visa holder stay in US without L1?
L-2 non-immigrant dependent visa holders who are traveling to the US without their L-1A or L-1B visa spouse/parent are reportedly being placed in 'secondary inspection' by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Can L-2 apply for green card?
Can L2 visa holders apply for a Green Card? L-2 visa holders can also apply for a Green Card by being included in the primary L-1 visa holder's application to adjust status.
Can L-2 visa be converted to l1?
You can enter the US On a L-2. Once your company has a job for your and are ready to file your L-1 you can file for a change of status from L-2 to L-1 without leaving the U.S. You must have worked for your company outside the US for 1...
Can I study full-time on L-2 visa?
As an L2 visa holder, you may: Study full-time or attend a school in the U.S. Apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Change your visa status to another non-immigrant visa. Travel abroad and return to the U.S.
Can L-2 visa holder apply for h1b?
As an L-2 visa holder, you can apply for an EAD. When you have your EAD, you can work in the US during the time the EAD is valid. Or, instead of using an EAD while on L-2 status, a US employer can file for you and you may obtain an H-1B... Hi, Thanks for your reply.
How long is L-2 visa valid?
In the case of L-1A visa holder dependents, the L-2 visa holders may stay in the U.S. for up to seven years while dependents of L-1B visa holders may stay in the U.S. for up to five years. The L-2 visa may also be renewed or extended following the renewal or extension of the L-1 visa holder's status.
Is L-2 visa eligible for SSN?
An L2 child will need an ITIN for US tax return. An L-2 spouse will also obtain an ITIN and not receive a SSN unless the spouse has employment authorization. An L2 spouse may obtain a SSN with an Employment Authorization Document.
Can I work on L-2 visa without EAD?
As part of the settlement, on November 12, 2021, the USCIS announced that E and L2 spouse visa holders are no longer required to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) to work in the United States by virtue of holding L2 or E status.
Is an L-2 visa holder a permanent resident?
An L-2 visa is a visa document used to enter the United States by the dependent spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of qualified L-1 visa holders. It is a non-immigrant visa, and is only valid for the duration of the spouse's L-1 visa.
What is an L2 Visa?
L2 visas are also known as L1 dependent visas granted to the spouses and dependents of L1 visa holders.
What is the Processing Time for the L2 Visa?
Usually, the processing time for the L2 visas is from 15 days to 1 month. However, it basically depends upon the workload of the Embassy and other...
What is the validity of an L2 visa?
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 you...
What is an E2 visa?
An E2 visa is a non-immigrant visa. It doesn’t provide a straightforward process for a visa holder to obtain a green card. However, with an e2 visa...
What is a TN Visa?
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) TN visa is a non-immigrant visa. Through this TN visa, Canadian and Mexican citizens work in a qual...
How to Apply for the L2 Visa?
In order to apply for the L2 status visa, the required steps to apply for the visa are mentioned below:
What is an L2 visa?
An L2 visa is a non-immigrant temporary visa that lets you enter the U.S. with your spouse or relative. With this visa, dependents of the primary applicant become eligible to enter and stay in the country.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for an L2 Visa?
In order to apply for the L2 visa, the eligibility requirements according to immigration law for spouses and children are:
What is the Processing Time for the L2 Visa?
Usually, the processing time for the L2 visas is from 15 days to 1 month. However, it basically depends upon the workload of the Embassy and other factors.
What happens after you fill out DS-160?
After filling the DS-160 online, there will be a confirmation page seen after filling the required eligibility requirements. Take a CEAC barcode printout of this.
Who is eligible for family members on a L1 visa?
The eligible family members are the spouse and children of the L1 visa holder.
Can a L1 visa holder work with a green card?
Therefore, if the L1 visa holder applies for employment with the green card, the dependents will be allowed to join along by submitting the required relevant documents.
How to apply for the L-2 visa?
The L-2 visa application is quite straightforward, and follows similar patterns to all other dependent visas such as the H-4 visa. It is recommended that dependents apply for their visa at the same time as the L-1 visa applicant, since it is much easier to prove their relationship. To apply for the L-2 visa, you must follow these steps.
How long is the L-2 visa valid?
So, as an L-2 dependent, your visa is valid for as long as the L-1 visa holder (your spouse or parents) is valid. If the L-1 visa is extended, then the L-2 dependent is also eligible for extensions. You can file for extensions by submitting Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status to USCIS for this purpose. Most often, if the L-1 visa has been extended, the L-2 visa will also be extended.
Can I go from an L-2 visa to Green Card?
Since you are bound directly to the L-1 visa holder, if this person applies for a Green Card, then you too are eligible to apply. Since the L visas are dual intent visas, you are not required to submit proof of intent to return home or prove strong ties to your home country.
Why is my L-2 visa rejected?
Most L-2 visa applications are not rejected; however, valid L-2 visa rejection reasons include the official of the U.S Embassy believing that you are going to the U.S to support your spouse who is already there, maybe under false employment contracts. So state the facts and try to give as much detail as possible.
How old do you have to be to get a visa interview?
Visa interviews for U.S visa applicants are required for those who are over 13 and under 79 years old. If you belong to this group, then you must schedule an appointment. You should try to schedule it as soon as possible, since the U.S Embassy might have a heavy workload and you might have to wait for your appointment to come up. When you schedule this appointment, you will get a visa appointment letter, which you will need for later on in your application process.
How long does it take to get a L-2 visa?
After you submit your documents and go through all the application steps, you will have to wait for your visa to be processed. L-2 visas take from 15 days to 1 month to be processed; however, depending on the Embassy’s workload and other factors, it might take longer.
What is the last step in the application process for a L-2 visa?
The visa interview is the last step in the application process for the L-2 visa. You will need to show up at the U.S Embassy where you made the appointment, on time and with your documents. The L-2 visa interview questions will include questions regarding any previous stay or visit to the U.S, your relationship to the L-1 visa holder, and your intentions or purpose of going to the U.S.
What is an L2 visa?
The L2 visa is a nonimmigrant US visa issued to dependents of L1 visa holders. Immediate family members of L1 visa holders may enter and stay in the United States by obtaining L2 visas. Eligible family members for an L2 visa include spouses and children (under age 21) of L1 visa holders.
How long can a L2 stay in the US?
L2 visa holders are authorized to stay in the US for as long as the principal L1 visa holder has a valid visa. The L1 visa holder may stay for a period of three years, extendable to a maximum of five years. After this, the visa holder has to stay out of the country for a minimum of one year before he may apply for a new visa or adjustment towards another visa status. This time frame applies to the dependent L2 visa holder as well.
How long is an EAD card valid?
An EAD card is valid for two years, but may be renewed as long as the individual maintains L2 visa status. EAD application and Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status, may be filed together.
What happens if you change your L1 visa to H1?
If the L1 visa holder changes to H1, your status changes to H4 visa.
What is a copy of a spouse's L1 approved petition?
Copy of spouse's L1 approved petition. Form I-129 (if Form I-797 is a blanket permit, copy of Form I-797 and I-129) of the Principal Applicant, and letter from employer that describes the relationship with the Principal Applicant and the purpose of travel.
What to check when getting a visa?
Upon receiving your visa, carefully check for any kind of mistakes like name, date of birth, type of visa, validity date, etc.
Do you have to have your last name and given name on a visa application?
Note: While providing the information to take visa interview and filing online application form visa applicants should indicate clearly their Last Name and Given Name. South Indian names, for instance are inevitably on the first line instead of breaking up into First name and Last name.
What is an L-2 visa?
An L-2 visa is a visa document used to enter the United States by the dependent spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of qualified L-1 visa holders. It is a non-immigrant visa, and is only valid for the duration of the spouse's L-1 visa.
How old do you have to be to get an L-2 visa?
The L-2 visa allows the dependent spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of qualified L-1 visa holders to enter into the U.S.
How long is an I-765 valid for?
There is an option to submit a new Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with copies of the required supporting documents and the receipt for the original application at the Service Centre closest. Based on this, the applicant will receive an Employment Authorization document which is valid for 240 days while the USCIS processes the two year employment authorization document.
How long does it take for USCIS to issue employment authorization?
The law states that the USCIS shall issue Employment Authorization documents within 90 days. However, at some service centers, the wait exceeds 90 days.
When did L-2 status change?
Before 2002 , a person in L-2 status was not authorized to work in the United States. In 2002, the law was changed and the spouse of a person with L-1A or L-1B status were allowed to request authorization to work in the United States.
Is there a limit on the nature of an employment authorization?
There is no limit on the nature of the authorized employment. The USCIS refers to this as 'open market' employment authorization.
Can I change my spouse's H-4 to L-2?
If the applicants spouse qualifies for L-1 status, they can apply for a change of status from H-4 to L-2 status and the spouse from H-1B to L-1 status. To obtain work authorization, submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, together with Form I-539, Application for Change or Extension of Status.
How long is an L2 visa valid?
That is, up to 7 years in the case of dependents of L1A visa and up to 5 years in the case of dependents of L1B visa. L-2 visa holders are allowed to travel in and out of the U.S. provided their L2 visa status and L2 visa stamp remain valid.
What is the advantage of L-2 visa over H-4?
The major advantage of L-2 dependent visa over H-4 dependent visa is that L-2 visa spouse is allowed to work in the U.S. once Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is filed with the USCIS and is approved. Once you get EAD card, you should go to the Social Security office and apply for a Social Security Number if you already don’t have one. An L-2 visa holder with EAD can do any legal job or business anywhere in the U.S., part-time or full-time, off-line or on-line, or from home or remotely. They can work in high tech, a grocery store, a restaurant, or whichever legal business they want to work in. In other words, an L2 visa EAD allows “open market” employment authorization. An L-2 visa holder spouse can not work in the U.S. before getting the EAD approved.
Can a spouse of a L2 work in the US?
An L-2 visa holder spouse can not work in the U.S. before getting the EAD approved. EAD for L2 spouse is valid up to 2 years at a time. EAD can be renewed as long as the person remains in the valid L-2 status. EAD application can be filed on its own or along with Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status.
Can dependents change from H-1 to L-1?
If the primary visa holder changes the status from H-1 visa to L-1 visa, the dependents are allowed to change the status from H-4 visa to L-2 visa.
Do you have to have dependents and spouse for visa interview?
It is recommended (but not required) that the spouse and dependent children go for their visa interview at the same time as the principal applicant.
Where to apply for a student visa?
After you receive the Form I-20 and register in SEVIS, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student (F or M) visa. You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.
What documents do consular officers need to interview you for a student visa?
A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: Your academic preparation, such as: Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and. Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
What happens after a visa interview?
After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this is required.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
What is a B visa?
After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.
What happens if you fail to leave the US on time?
Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.
How far in advance can you get a student visa?
New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.
How long can I study on an I-20?
The length of study indicated on the Form I-20 must be limited to 12 months. It should be noted that public secondary attendance in a status other than F-1 does not count against the 12-month limit. For example, if you were the child of an A-2 visa holder previously attending secondary school, this would not count toward the 12 month limit.
Do foreign students have to pay for secondary school?
Students Must Pay the Costs of Secondary School Education. Foreign students who want to attend public secondary school (high school) must pay the full cost of education. This amount is listed under "tuition" on the student's Form I-20.
Can a dependent attend school on a F-1 visa?
Dependents of a nonimmigrant visa holder of any type, including F-1, are not prohibited from attendance at either a public primary school, an adult education program, or another public educational institution, as appropriate. ALL / ALL /.
Can a foreign student live in the US?
Foreign students may come to the United States to live with U.S. citizen relative s while attending public school. The child is limited to twelve months of study in secondary school (high school). The child may not study in elementary school. It should be noted however, that the student's status as a resident of the school district and the fact that the U.S. citizen has paid local property/school taxes is irrelevant and does not fulfill the cost reimbursement requirement of Section 214 (m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Therefore, the full tuition costs must be paid to the school or school district.
Do F-1 students have to pay for school?
F-1 secondary school students are required to pay the school the full cost of education by repaying the school system for the full, unsubsidized, per capita cost of providing the education to him or her. F-1 students are prohibited from attending public elementary schools or publicly-funded adult education programs. ALL / ALL /.
Does the F-1 visa law apply to other students?
No. The law affects only students in F-1 status, or applicants for F-1 visas, who plan to attend public schools or publicly funded adult education. The law does not affect other students, such as children of exchange visitors, diplomats or foreign workers.

Overview
Renewals
L-2 status may be renewed and extended within the United States when the L-1 visa is renewed. Renewal in the United States applies to status only, not the actual visa in the passport. For visa renewal, the applicant must go to a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the United States. An alien cannot leave the United States and then re-enter without a valid L-1 or L-2 visa, and must appear personally before a consular officer for visa issuance. This often leads to difficulties for applica…
Employment with L-2 Visa
Before 2002, a person in L-2 status was not authorized to work in the United States. In 2002, the law was changed and the spouse of a person with L-1A or L-1B status were allowed to request authorization to work in the United States.
A spouse in L-2 status who wants to work must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). A person in L-2 status with an EAD is allowed to work for any employer.
The L-2 visa
The L-2 visa allows the dependent spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of qualified L-1 visa holders to enter into the U.S.
Privileges
The applicant may:
• Reside in the U.S. for the duration of the L-1 visa holder's authorized duration of stay
• Work on a full-time basis in the U.S. with proper employment authorization from the USCIS
• Engage in full-time study in the U.S.
Allowable length of stay
The allowable duration of stay is as long as the primary L-1 visa holder maintains valid status, or up to a maximum of seven years, whichever is shorter.
How to apply
The following must be submitted:
• Completed visa application along with the applicable draft amount
• Original valid passport
• Two recent color photographs
Length of processing
The law states that the USCIS shall issue Employment Authorization documents within 90 days. However, at some service centers, the wait exceeds 90 days.