Under the L1 visa program, multinational companies gain permission to move their workers from other nations into U.S. business locations. While it’s a great opportunity for professionals to work in the United States, it raises an important question: Can a spouse work on an L1 visa? When you move to the U.S. with your family, you need to know about your spouse’s work limits. Our detailed guide explores all the essential details and tips to help L1 visa holders prepare for their spouses to work in the United States.
What Is an L1 Visa?
The L1 Visa assists U.S. and international companies by moving qualified employees from foreign offices into their American locations. Multinational organizations employ L1 visas to move professional experts from their global offices to temporary U.S. assignments.
There are two main types of L1 visas:
L1A Visa: This visa category is designed to welcome executive and managing personnel. Top department, function, and high-level company managers can permanently relocate to the United States under this visa. The granting authority provides an L1 visa initially for one year to new office beginnings or three years to established offices with seven-year extension possibilities.
L1B Visa: Foreign workers who possess specialized knowledge about their business qualify for this visa. Specialized knowledge means employees who deeply understand company operations, which regular workers from outside the company cannot replicate. The L1B visa gives new offices one year of validity and lets existing offices have three years of validity while allowing both types of offices to extend their stay up to five years.
Can a Spouse Work on an L1 Visa?
The husband or wife of someone holding an L1 visa can obtain lawful employment within the United States. L2 visa holders receive dependent status when they marry an L1 visa holder. The L2 visa holder must send a Form I-765 employment authorization request to USCIS after settling in the U.S.
The L2 spouse of an L1 visa holder can earn money through any U.S. employer when they get approval for their work authorization and receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Through EAD authorization, the spouse can set up their own business or take on freelance assignments. The EAD remains effective throughout the time the L1 visa holder lives in the United States.
The L2 spouse needs the EAD to work and must wait until government processing finishes. Recent amendments let EAD holders preserve their authorization automatically, which cuts down the wait for renewal. The new L1 and L2 visa combination helps families because it lets the spouse work legally while also seeking personal career growth in the US.
Who Are Dependents of L1 Visa Holders?
L1 visa holders can bring to the United States their spouse and any unmarried children below 21 years. Families of L1 visa holders may join their relatives in the United States so they can obtain an L2 visa and live legally here as dependents.
Spouse
A spouse of someone who holds an L1 visa can get L2 status, which gives them several privileges. L2 visa holders gain a strong opportunity to find U.S. employment when they get official work approval. Through the L2 visa, a spouse can study further in the U.S. while managing personal finances and driving a car.
Children
When L1 visa holders bring sons, daughters, and stepchildren under 21 during a visa application, these individuals automatically become eligible for dependent L2 visas. The children of L1 visa holders can attend U.S. schools without a separate visa; granted, they stay enrolled before turning 21 years old. At age 21 or when they marry, they have to switch to another visa type if they want to stay in the US.
L2 visa holders can bring their family to live and study in the USA, while their L1 visa holder partner can obtain employment throughout their stay in the United States.
What Type of Jobs Can L2 Visa Holders Pursue?
L1 dependents visa called L2 visa holders can start working in America when they receive their Employment Authorization Document. Once they receive the EAD, L2 visa holders can pursue various types of jobs, including:
- Full-Time or Part-Time Employment: They can apply for any kind of job as long as they fulfil the job requirements.
- Skilled or Professional Jobs: L2 visa holders with demonstrated education or career experience in IT healthcare engineering finance and education can seek employment in their chosen specialized field.
- Entry-Level Positions: New job seekers can start in basic positions across retail and hospitality, together with support services sectors.
- Freelancing or Contract Work: They can function as self-employed service providers who deliver work from writing to graphic design and programming across many business sectors.
- Self-Employment or Entrepreneurship: L2 visa holders may launch their enterprises either alone or with partners or run personal business ventures.
- Remote Jobs: As remote work becomes more popular, L2 visa holders can work anywhere for US or international employers who support remote positions.
- Creative and artistic jobs: They can work in many creative positions like music performers, artists, theatre actors, or photographers.
- Internships or Volunteer Work: Although these opportunities do not need an EAD card, they enable you to improve your abilities and create professional relationships.
- Temporary or Seasonal Jobs: When peak periods arrive, L2 visa holders may work in tourism retail or agricultural areas.
What Are The Benefits Of L2 Visa?
When an L1 visa holder brings their family to the United States, they automatically receive an L2 dependent visa as dependents. Family members can join their primary visa holders when they move to the United States. The L2 visa gives dependents better opportunities when their family moves to the United States.
1. The L2 visa lets spouses work legally in the United States
Having an L2 visa lets your spouse apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to seek US employment. After successful approval, these people may legally work anywhere they choose in any field, including their venture. Recent changes let L2 visa holders work in the U.S. without first getting an EAD.
2. Educational Opportunities
The United States offers L2 visa holders the opportunity to study here. The world’s top education system stands ready for them to study in any school, college, or university.
3. Unlimited Travel In and Out of the U.S
Under the terms of an L2 visa, dependents maintain full freedom to travel between the United States and their home country while returning home to see family without visa paperwork.
4. Access to Healthcare and Other Benefits
L2 visa holders can use their insurance money to receive U.S. healthcare services. They can obtain available state benefits in their place of residence.
5. Pathway to a Green Card
People on L1 visas with dependent relatives can obtain a Green Card when the L1 holder moves toward permanent residency status.
Dependents moving to the United States find the L2 visa helpful because it allows them to work and stay safely with greater professional opportunities.
Need a Consultant?
Can a Spouse Work on an L1 Visa? Our experts can answer if your spouse can get a job while holding an L1 visa. Our team at US Area Immigration Services guides families through all aspects of immigration law regulations. Our team of experts helps clients with L2 visa forms and EAD information, plus guides recent immigration changes.
We will lead you in finding possible solutions while making your paperwork easier and guiding you toward reaching your goals. Don’t let immigration challenges hold you back. Contact US Area Immigration Services now to receive information about L1 visa spouse employment permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques1: Can a Spouse Work on an L1 Visa?
Ans – An L-1 visa holder’s spouse can get an EAD from USCIS to start working. These cards must be renewed every two years. Your L-2 visa will stay valid until the main L-1 visa holder keeps theirs.
Ques2: Can an L2 visa holder stay in the US without L1?
Ans – No. Without the required L1 visa support, an L2 visa holder must leave the United States.
Ques3: What is the minimum salary for an L1A visa?
Ans – Under L1 Visa, you can follow either the L1A route or the L1C route. You can earn real income through this travel visa because you must make a minimum yearly salary of $60,000 plus a gross monthly payment of $5000.
Ques4: What are the restrictions on L2 visas?
Ans – An eligible L-2 visa holder may work in any location in the United States while holding their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).