An L-2 spouse is generally employment-authorized incident to L-2 status itself, without filing a separate work-permit application, based on USCIS's 2022 policy update and the use of updated Form I-94 notations for qualifying spouses. This is different from a TD spouse under TN, who has no independent work authorization.
Confirm the correct dependent classification and I-94 notation
Priya's spouse should confirm that any Form I-94 issued reflects the L-2S notation used for employment-authorized spouses, since that notation, not simply the L-2 classification generally, is the evidence an employer will look for under current USCIS guidance. Unmarried children under 21 accompanying on L-2 status do not receive employment authorization.
Family planning should run alongside the principal filing, because each spouse or child needs identity and relationship evidence even where the principal’s company documents are strong. Make a chart showing passport validity, marriage or birth records, current status, planned travel dates, and each child’s age. Hypothetical example: A theatre-production executive is approved for transfer, but her nineteen-year-old unmarried son is studying abroad and will join later. The family should retain a clear set of relationship documents and confirm his timing before he turns twenty-one, rather than treating the approval notice as automatic evidence for every future trip. An L-2 spouse may generally work incident to status with appropriate evidence, while children may study but do not receive independent work authorization. Keep the household’s records consistent with the principal’s requested validity period and update them if a dependent’s passport expires sooner.
Before a dependent travels separately, compare the supporting papers with the principal’s current admission record and passport validity. A household calendar should include school start dates, planned work start dates, and all immigration expiry dates, so ordinary family decisions do not accidentally outpace the available status evidence.