Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 may seek L-2. Qualifying L spouses may be employment-authorized incident to status with appropriate evidence; children do not receive that work permission.
Check documents rather than the relocation promise
An employment authorization document is not universally required for qualifying L spouses. Record actual status, relationships and intended activities instead of assuming the principal’s approval supplies every family document. Treat dependent planning as a separate status review.
Gather marriage or birth records, passports, prior status documents and each person’s intended activity, then compare those facts with the principal’s requested L period. A qualifying L-2 spouse may work incident to valid status with proper evidence; children may study but do not receive that work benefit. Hypothetical example: an offshore-wind logistics director transfers with a spouse who expects to freelance and a 19-year-old who will attend college.
The relationship records and admission documents determine the spouse’s status, while the child’s school plans do not create work rights. Do not promise family employment or a stay beyond the principal’s authorized period merely because the company supports the move. Confirm every family member’s documents before travel and revisit the plan when the principal’s approved period changes.
An employer relocation policy may fund a move, but it does not determine immigration permission for each relative.