How to apply for the L-2 visa?
- Fill in the DS-160 form. The DS-160 form is an online application form which applicants must submit in order to have...
- Pay the application fee. The application fee for the L-2 visa is $160. You must pay this fee for the application to be...
- Schedule your visa appointment. Visa interviews for US visa applicants are required for those who...
Full Answer
Can I hire someone on a L2 visa?
L2 spouses can apply for a US work visa by applying for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once an EAD is approved L2 spouses can work in any job role in the US, including self-employment.
Can a L2 visa holder start a business?
With this in mind, L-2 visas are very favorable "dependend" visas because you can actually work or run your own business. But before you do this, you should file and receive an employment authorization card (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Can a L2 visa holder work in the US?
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. EAD for L2 spouse is valid up to 2 years at a time.
Are L2 visa holders allowed to work?
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).
Do I need to get a work permit with an L2 visa?
Dependent spouses are no longer required to obtain a work permit and can legally live and work in the U.S. on the L-2 status without needing an em...
How can I prove my L-2 Visa eligibility?
There are some additional L-2 Visa documents that you may wish to attach to your application form. For example, you may also submit to the USCIS: Y...
Can a L-2 Visa holder study in the U.S.?
Yes, L-2 Visa holders are allowed to attend school in the U.S. on either a part-time or full-time basis.
1. What Is L2 Visa?
The L2 visa allows the dependent spouse and minor, unmarried children of qualified L-1 visa holders to enter into the U.S.
2. What Privileges Do I Enjoy on L-2 Visa?
On L-2 visa, you may: Reside in the U.S. for the duration of the L-1 visa holder’s authorized duration of stay If your are an L-2 Spouse you may wo...
3. What Are The Limitations of L-2 Visa?
You may not apply for Employment Authorization if you are a dependent child on L-2 visa.
4. How Long Can I Stay In The U.S. on L-2 Visa?
You may stay as long as the primary L-1 visa holder maintains valid status, or up to a maximum of seven years, whichever is shorter.
5. How Do I Apply For L-2 Visa?
For L2 visa application, you must submit: Completed DS-160 visa application. The DS-160 must be completed online Demand draft for Visa application...
6. How long does the Employment Authorization processing for L-2 status take?
The law mandates that the USCIS shall issue Employment Authorization documents within 90 days. However, at some service centers, the wait current...
7. What should I do if I do not receive an Employment Authorization on L-2 visa within 90 days?
You have the option of submitting a new Form I-765 , Application for Employment Authorization, along with copies of the required supporting docume...
8. How long is the employment authorization valid on L-2 status?
Your employment authorization document is valid for two years and may be renewed as long as you continue to maintain proper L-2 status.
9. Can I be employed in any kind of job on L-2 visa?
Yes, there is no limit on the nature of the authorized employment. The USCIS refers to this as ‘open market’ employment authorization.
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 much does it cost to get a L-2 visa?
The application fee for the L-2 visa is $160. You must pay this fee for the application to be considered by the U.S Embassy. In addition, you might also be required to submit other fees depending on your home country and their relationship with the U.S, such as visa reciprocity fees. You should keep all receipts of the fees you pay as proof.
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.
How to apply for an L-2 visa?
To apply for an L-2 Visa, you can either file your form together with the L-1 Visa petition or at a later date. In either case, you must submit certain documents to support your application and prove your eligibility. This includes: Completed Form DS-160 online non-immigrant status visa application.
What are the requirements for an L2 Visa?
The L-2 Visa is designed for dependents of L-1 Visa holders. If the holder of the L-1 Visa changes or switches their visa, the L-2 Visa holder must also do the same based on their category of visa.
What is an L-2 Visa?
If one of your relatives is living in the U.S. under an L1 Intra-Company Visa, you may be able to join them by applying for an L-2 Visa.
How can I get an L2 Visa work permit?
on the L-2 status. However, before you can seek employment, you need to apply for an EAD (Employment Authorization Document).
How long does the L-2 Visa last?
Your L-2 Visa will last for the same length as the principal L-1 Visa holder. In other words, you can stay in the U.S. for as long as your relative holds a valid permit.
How old do you have to be to get a visa for a child?
To be eligible for this visa, eligible children must be under the age of 21. If they are older than this, they will not be allowed to apply for an Employment Authorization Document nor seek employment in the U.S.
What happens if your L-1 dependent switches visa category?
If your L-1 dependent switches their visa category while you are resident in the U.S., your status will also change.
What is an L2 visa?
The L2 visa allows the dependent spouse and minor, unmarried children of qualified L-1 visa holders to enter into the U.S.
How long does it take for USCIS to issue employment authorization?
The law mandates that the USCIS shall issue Employment Authorization documents within 90 days. However, at some service centers, the wait currently exceeds 90 days.
How long is an I-765 valid?
Based on this, you will receive an employment authorization document which is valid for 240 days while the USCIS processes your two year employment authorization document.
Can I change my spouse's H-4 to L-2?
Yes, if your spouse qualifies for L-1 status, you may apply for a change of status from H-4 to L-2 status and your spouse from H-1B to L-1 status. To obtain work authorization, you should submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, together with your Form I-539, Application for Change or Extension of Status.
Can I apply for adjustment of status?
Yes, you may apply for Adjustment of Status. Based on the L-1 principals adjustment of status application.You need to file Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with the USCIS.
Is there a limit on the amount of employment you can get?
Yes, there is no limit on the nature of the authorized employment. The USCIS refers to this as ‘open market’ employment authorization.
What is an L2 visa?
L2 visas are also known as L1 dependent visas. These visas are granted to the spouses and dependents of L1 visa holders. An L2 visa is a non-immigrant visa, but despite this, you still enjoy a wide variety of benefits in the time you are in the U.S. We’ll take a look at these in more detail below.
How long does it take to get a L2 visa?
You can apply for a personal loan to help you out even if you are a visa holder. The processing time for an L2 visa can take up to 30 daysorand even longer.
How long is an L2 visa valid?
As mentioned before, the validity of an L2 visa is dependent on the validity of the L1 visa to which it is connected. The L2 visa is valid for as long as the L1 visa is valid. The dependents of an L1-A visa holder may stay in the U.S. for 7 years. Dependents of an L1- B visa holder may stay in the U.S. for 5 years. Your L2 visa will expire as soon as the L1 visa expires.
What is a dependent visa?
Truly dependent visas are given to people who are dependent on someone in line for a U.S. visa. This includes a spouse or children who are under the age of 21 (and still dependent on the primary visa holder).
What is visa stamping?
Visa stamping is where the visa is endorsed in your passport.
How long does it take to get out of status after a visa extension?
Don’t worry, you won’t go out of status as long as the decision to extend your visa is still pending with the USCIS or until 240 days have passed.
Can a parent with an L1 visa be an L2 dependent?
L2 Ineligible Dependents. Parents of an L1 visa holder are unfortunately not eligible for an L2 visa. Even if you as the L1 visa holder are the primary caretaker of your parents, it will still not qualify your parents to be eligible for an L2 visa.
What states do L2 spouses need to mail to?
L2 spouses from these states need to use the following mailing address – AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NV, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, or WY mail to:
How long does it take to get an L2 EAD card?
The processing times for L2 EAD applications vary from one service center to the other. Generally, however, the L2 EAD processing time is between 60-90 days for the USCIS to reach a decision regarding your application. Once your application is approved, they will mail you the EAD card (it looks like a plastic credit card). If it turns out your application is unsuccessful for whatever reason, they will also notify you accordingly.
How Long is L2 EAD Valid for?
An EAD is normally valid for two years. The validity of your L2 EAD is, however, dependent on your L2 visa’s validity. Your visa gives you the right to be in the U.S. and your EAD was granted to you based on a valid visa. So, your L2 EAD is valid for a maximum of two years or until your L2 visa expires (whichever of the two scenarios happens first).
How long before L2 EAD expires?
You can apply for your new L2 EAD about 4 months before your current one expires. This will allow you and the USCIS enough time to produce the new one before your current EAD expires.
What is an I-94?
Copy of your I-94 – This document proves your legal entry into the U.S.
Where do I mail my I-797?
Mail your application to the applicable address and wait for the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) to confirm they have received it. They will mail a Form I-797 (a receipt of notice) to the address you’ve listed on your application.
Does L2 visa expire?
Your L2 visa will expire as soon as your spouse’s L1 visa expires (in turn causing your EAD to expire as well).
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.
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Buying from US vs Abroad
For getting L-2 visa stamped on the passport, you don’t really have to change your name after marriage, such as changing the last name to have same as husband’s last name (or in south India, removing father’s name as last name and adding husband’s name as last name).
