A qualifying spouse admitted in L-2 status may have work authorization incident to status, subject to carrying appropriate evidence; children may study but do not receive the same work authorization.
Plan the household by person
Hypothetical example: an L-1A transferee’s spouse expects to take a part-time job and a 19-year-old child plans university. The spouse’s status, I-94 record and proof of the L relationship should be checked before employment begins. The child’s study plan and status must also be maintained, but the child should not infer permission to work from being an L-2 dependent.
Use marriage and birth records, passports and current I-94 entries to document each requested L-2 status. Map the principal’s L-1A validity against the spouse’s job start, the child’s school term, passport expiries and any twenty-first birthday. Resolve name differences, prior-status gaps or inconsistent relationship documents before a dependent application or admission.
The spouse should verify an L-2 admission record before starting work; a dependent child cannot work in that status. Review the transferee’s validity, the spouse’s incident-to-status work authorization and each unmarried child’s age and study plans before coordinating the move. Confirm the dependent’s passport, relationship evidence, status record and intended daily activity independently.
A family may share a move, but immigration permissions are not automatically shared in the same way. Update the review if employment, school or age facts change.