US L-2 Visa in 2026: Work, Study, Costs and Steps for L-1 Families

Short answer: The L-2 is the US status for the family of an L-1 worker, an employee whose company moves them to its US office. It covers the spouse and unmarried children under 21. The spouse may work for any US employer. The proof is the I-94 arrival record marked “L-2S”. A work permit card (EAD) is optional. Children may study but may not work. Canadian citizens need no visa. Everyone else needs an L-2 visa and pays a USD 205 fee per person.

The rules below are as of November 2026. Still comparing routes? See our US work visa options and the wider routes to the United States.

Which rules apply to your passport

• Canadian citizen: no visa, no interview and no USD 205 fee. CBP admits you as L-2 at a land border or at preclearance in Canada. See “Canadian families” below.
• Living in Canada on another passport (for example, a permanent resident): you need an L-2 visa. You can apply in Canada with proof that you live there.
• UK, Germany, France or another Visa Waiver (ESTA) country: you still need an L-2 visa. ESTA cannot be used for L-2.
• Any other passport: you need an L-2 visa. Check your country’s extra fee and visa length in the reciprocity table below.
• Nationality listed in Proclamation 10998: for nationals of the 19 fully restricted countries, the US suspension covers L-2 visas, and there is no exception for work visas. For the 20 partially restricted countries, L-2 is not suspended, but the visa may be valid for a shorter time. Anyone who already held a valid US visa on 1 January 2026 is not covered. Dual nationals who apply and travel on a passport from a country on neither list are exempt from the proclamation (State Department).

Who qualifies for an L-2

• The L-1 worker can be an L-1A (manager or executive) or an L-1B (specialized knowledge). Both can bring family (INA 101(a)(15)(L)).
• Spouse: the marriage must be valid where it took place, and any earlier marriage must have legally ended. Same-sex marriages count. A civil union or common-law relationship counts only if the place where it was formed treats it as equal to marriage in every respect. A legally separated couple does not count (9 FAM 102.8).
• Children: unmarried and under 21 (USCIS). A stepchild counts only if the child was under 18 when the parent married the L-1 worker.
• No petition of their own: family members apply based on the L-1 approval, at the same time as the worker or later (USCIS Policy Manual).
• L-2 time limit: the same as the L-1, up to 7 years in total for L-1A and 5 years for L-1B (INA 214(c)(2)(D)). L-2 status lasts only while the L-1 worker stays in the L-1 job with the employer that filed the petition.

Canadian families

• No visa for Canadian citizens. Canadians need a US visa only for a few categories (E, K, S and V), and L-2 is not one of them (8 CFR 212.1). So there is no DS-160, no interview and no USD 205 fee, whether or not the L-1 worker is Canadian (9 FAM 201.1).
• Where: CBP admits Canadian L-2s, for example at a land border or at US preclearance, which CBP runs at 10 places in Canada, including the Toronto Pearson, Vancouver and Calgary airports.
• What to carry: a Canadian passport (required to fly), the marriage or birth certificate and proof of the L-1’s status, such as the I-797 approval or the L-1’s I-94 (I-539 instructions).
• Cost: USD 30 for an I-94 at a land border. There is no I-94 fee by air, including preclearance flights (Federal Register). The Visa Integrity Fee does not apply, because no visa is issued.
• Family members who are not Canadian citizens, such as permanent residents of Canada, need an L-2 visa even when the L-1 worker is Canadian, unless US rules exempt their own nationality from visas (8 CFR 214.2(l)(17)). A Visa Waiver (ESTA) passport does not count. They can apply in Canada with proof that they live there (US Mission Canada).
• Canadian permanent residence is not an exception to Proclamation 10998. Only a US green card is. A permanent resident who is a national of a fully restricted country is covered by the suspension unless one of the exceptions in the passport section above applies. The visa fee is not refunded if the visa is refused (Proclamation 10998; US Mission Canada).
• Common-law partners count as spouses only if the place where the relationship was formed treats it as fully equal to marriage. Otherwise the partner can come as a visitor (B-2) but cannot work (9 FAM 402.2).

Can the L-2 spouse work?

Yes. Since 12 November 2021, USCIS treats L-2 spouses as authorized to work as part of their status (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 10, Part B). They may work for any employer (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 10, Part A).

The I-94 is the proof. Since 30 January 2022, spouses get an I-94 coded L-2S and children L-2Y. An I-94 that shows only “L-2” does not prove the right to work by itself (USCIS Policy Manual). Check your record on the CBP I-94 website after each entry. A CBP Deferred Inspection office can correct a code entered wrongly at entry.

Form I-9: for the employer’s Form I-9, show the unexpired L-2S I-94 together with an identity document such as a US state or Canadian driver’s licence. The I-94 counts as a List C document and the ID as List B (USCIS M-274; I-9 documents). An EAD is a List A document and is enough on its own.

The EAD is optional. To get one, file Form I-765 under category (a)(18). This category must be filed on paper, and the fee is USD 520 (G-1055; online forms list). Since 30 October 2025, filing a renewal no longer extends an expiring EAD. DHS made this rule final on 14 October 2026 (Federal Register). The L-2S I-94 still proves the right to work. An EAD that runs past the I-94 end date also helps while an extension is pending (see “Limits” below).

Social Security number: an L-2S spouse can get a work-authorized SSN without an EAD (SSA). An employer that uses E-Verify needs the SSN to confirm the right to work.

Limits: the right to work ends when L-2 status ends. If the L-2 spouse loses their own job, this does not affect the spouse’s status or the L-1 worker’s status. DHS explains this in its September 2026 proposed rule. The “240-day rule”, which lets work continue while a timely extension is pending, covers the L-1 worker but not the L-2 spouse (8 CFR 274a.12). If your L-2S I-94 expires while your extension is pending, you may have to stop working unless you hold a valid EAD (DHS CIS Ombudsman, 2022). As of November 2026, no USCIS guidance says otherwise. File the I-539 early: USCIS suggests at least 45 days, and generally not more than 6 months, before the stay ends.

L-2 children: school yes, work no

• L-2 children may attend school but may not work. They cannot get an EAD under the L-2 spouse category, (a)(18) (USCIS Policy Manual; I-765 instructions).
• The L-2 spouse and children do not need F-1 student status for school or university, part-time or full-time (8 CFR 248.3; SEVP chart). They can study only during the L-1’s approved stay.
• L-2 child status ends at 21 or on marriage, whichever comes first. The Child Status Protection Act does not extend it (USCIS Policy Manual). To keep studying, file for another status, such as F-1, before turning 21 or marrying. USCIS normally refuses a change of status filed after the old status has ended (8 CFR 248.1).

Getting the L-2 visa (all passports except Canadian)

ESTA cannot be used for L-2. The Visa Waiver Program covers only business or tourist visits of up to 90 days (8 U.S.C. 1187). A person who enters on ESTA cannot change to L-2 inside the US (8 U.S.C. 1258).

1. The L-1 is approved. You need the receipt number of the L-1 petition. It is on the worker’s Form I-129 petition or Form I-797 notice. If the worker comes under the employer’s blanket L approval, the worker brings Form I-129S to the interview. Ask the post whether each family member needs a copy (State Department).
2. One DS-160 per person, children included, with a photo (DS-160). List every social media username (handle) you used in the last 5 years. Leaving any out can lead to a refusal (US Embassy notice).
3. Pay USD 205 per person. The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused. The extra USD 500 and USD 4,500 fees that some blanket L-1 workers pay do not apply to L-2 family members (visa fees).
4. Book in the country of your nationality or the country where you live. If you book where you live, bring proof that you live there. If you book in a third country, it may be harder to qualify, you should expect a much longer wait, and the fee cannot be refunded or moved (State Department). See how to book a US visa appointment. Check the post’s own visa page before you pay, because some places work differently as of November 2026:
5. Routine visa processing is not available in the UAE (US Mission UAE).
6. Routine visa services for 25 African posts moved to regional hubs on 1 August 2026 (State Department).
7. Nationals of countries without routine US visa services apply at a designated post, unless they live in another country (list of posts).
8. Attend the interview in person. Since 1 October 2025 this includes children under 14. L-2 applicants cannot skip the interview (State Department). Bring:
9. a passport valid 6 months beyond your stay (some countries are exempt)
10. the DS-160 confirmation page
11. the fee receipt
12. the L-1 petition receipt number (State Department)
13. the marriage or birth certificate, because the officer must be satisfied that the relationship is genuine (9 FAM 402.12)
14. if the L-1 is already in the US, proof that the L-1 is keeping L-1 status, such as the L-1’s I-94 (9 FAM 402.12)
15. Pay any reciprocity fee after approval. Citizens of some countries pay this extra visa issuance fee on top of the USD 205. It is charged only once the visa is approved. The fee, the number of entries and how long the visa is valid depend on the passport you apply with (reciprocity tables).

Figures as of November 2026. These pages carry no date, so check your country’s live table before you apply. An L-2 visa is never valid longer than the L-1’s visa. Your country is not listed? Open the State Department reciprocity tables, choose your country, then open “Visa Classifications” and select L-2.

7. Travel. The visa can be issued up to 90 days before the L-1’s start date (9 FAM 402.12). At the border, CBP decides how long you can stay. This is normally the L-1 petition’s dates, plus up to 10 days before and 10 days after (8 CFR 214.1(l); State Department).

Visa Integrity Fee: a 2025 law sets a fee of at least USD 250 for every nonimmigrant visa issued, L-2 included. It is paid when the visa is issued (Public Law 119-21). As of November 2026, the State Department’s visa fee page does not list it (visa fees).

Extending L-2 status inside the US (Form I-539)

• The employer extends the L-1 on Form I-129. The family files Form I-539, which is also used to change to L-2 from another status inside the US.
• Fee: USD 470 on paper or USD 420 online, with no separate biometrics fee (G-1055). USCIS accepts only the 28 August 2024 edition of the form (08/28/24).
• Family members: one I-539 can cover the spouse and children, with a separate Form I-539A for each extra person. Check the USCIS Fee Calculator to see whether a separate fee is due for each I-539A.
• Evidence: each person’s I-94, the marriage or birth certificate (plus proof that any earlier marriage ended) and proof of the L-1’s status, such as the I-797 (I-539 instructions).
• Timing: USCIS suggests filing at least 45 days, and generally not more than 6 months, before the stay ends (I-539 instructions). An extension filed after the status has expired is normally refused.
• No premium processing for an L-2 I-539. USCIS may decide it together with the L-1’s I-129, but often it cannot, for example while biometrics or a request for evidence is pending (USCIS).
• Processing time: in November 2026, the USCIS processing-times tool showed that USCIS finishes 8 out of 10 L-2 extensions within 8.5 months, and 8 out of 10 changes to L-2 within 14.5 months.

If the L-1 job ends: the family gets a grace period. For up to 60 days in a row, or until the I-94 ends if that is sooner, the job ending does not by itself put the L-1 worker or the family out of status. It can be used once per approved stay, and DHS may shorten or remove it at its discretion (8 CFR 214.1(l)). The rule bars work during the grace period unless the person has other work authorization. No official source says whether an L-2S spouse may keep working during it. On 11 September 2026, DHS proposed removing this grace period. The comment period closed on 10 November 2026, and the proposal is not final (Federal Register).

Common myths

• “The spouse needs an EAD to start work.” An unexpired L-2S I-94 is enough.
• “Any L-2 I-94 proves the right to work.” It must show L-2S.
• “Children can work if they get an EAD.” L-2 children may not work.
• “We can enter on ESTA and switch to L-2 later.” ESTA entrants cannot change status inside the US.
• “A 60-month visa means a 60-month stay.” The stay follows the L-1 petition and the I-94.
• “The USD 100,000 H-1B payment also covers L-1 and L-2.” The proclamation signed on 18 September 2026 covers only H-1B workers (White House).
• “The 60-day grace period is gone.” As of November 2026 it is still in the regulation. Its removal is only proposed.

FAQ

Do Canadian family members need an L-2 visa? Canadian citizens do not. CBP admits them as L-2 at the border or at preclearance. Family members who are not Canadian citizens need an L-2 visa.

Can an L-2 spouse work for a different company from the L-1? Yes. L-2S spouses may work for any employer.

Do our children need to attend the visa interview? Yes, if they need a visa. Since 1 October 2025, children under 14 are interviewed in person too. Canadian citizen children need no visa and no interview.

Can an L-2 spouse or child go to university? Yes, without F-1 status, part-time or full-time, within the period approved for the L-1.

What happens when an L-2 child turns 21? L-2 status ends. To stay, the child needs another status, such as F-1, filed before that date.

Will a green card application hurt our L-2 status? Not by itself. The L-1 worker’s green card steps (labor certification, immigrant petition or adjustment of status) cannot be a reason to refuse the family L-2 entry or an extension (8 CFR 214.2(l)(16)).

Official sources

• USCIS, L-1A intracompany transferee: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager
• USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part L, Ch. 2 (L dependants): https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-l-chapter-2
• USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 10, Part A, Ch. 2 (work without restriction): https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-10-part-a-chapter-2
• USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 10, Part B, Ch. 2 (L-2 spouse work): https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-10-part-b-chapter-2
• USCIS Handbook for Employers M-274, 7.9.2: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/70-evidence-of-employment-authorization-for-certain-categories/79-other-temporary-workers/792-l-nonimmigrant-status
• USCIS fee schedule G-1055: https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055
• USCIS Form I-539 instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-539instr.pdf
• 8 CFR 274a.12 (work authorization classes): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/section-274a.12
• DHS CIS Ombudsman, Annual Report 2022: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/2022%20CIS%20Ombudsman%20Report_verified_medium_0.pdf
• 8 U.S.C. 1184 (INA 214): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title8/html/USCODE-2024-title8-chap12-subchapII-partII-sec1184.htm
• 8 CFR 214.2 (L rules): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/section-214.2
• 9 FAM 402.12 (L visas): https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM040212.html
• State Department, Temporary Worker Visas: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
• State Department, Fees for Visa Services: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html
• State Department, Reciprocity by Country: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html
• State Department, interview waiver update (18 Sep 2025): https://travel.state.gov/en/newsroom/visas/2025/interview-waiver-update-sept-18-2025.html
• State Department, applying in your country of nationality or residence (15 Jul 2026): https://travel.state.gov/en/newsroom/visas/2026/adjudicating-nonimmigrant-visa–niv–applicants-in-their-country.html
• State Department, Africa regional visa hubs (15 Jul 2026): https://travel.state.gov/en/newsroom/visas/2026/realignment-of-u-s–visa-services-in-africa-to-regional-hubs.html
• State Department, designated posts for nonimmigrant visas: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/list-of-posts-niv.html
• State Department, visa suspension under Proclamation 10998 (2 Feb 2026): https://travel.state.gov/en/newsroom/visas/2026/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states.html
• US Mission Canada, visas: https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/
• US Mission UAE, visas: https://ae.usembassy.gov/visas/
• CBP, preclearance: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/operations/preclearance
• Federal Register, EAD automatic extension final rule (14 Oct 2026): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20955/removal-of-automatic-extensions-for-certain-employment-authorization-documents
• Federal Register, proposed removal of the 60-day grace period (11 Sep 2026): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/11/2026-18631/eliminating-the-discretionary-60-day-grace-period
• Federal Register, Proclamation 10998: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23570/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states
• Public Law 119-21 (Visa Integrity Fee): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ21/html/PLAW-119publ21.htm

Last checked: 11 November 2026

This guide explains US rules for information. Aval Visa does not file US work-visa petitions.

Plan your family’s move

Moving with an L-1 transfer? In a 30-minute consultation (CAD 100, plus GST/HST if you live in Canada) we go through your family’s situation and the options that fit it. Book a consultation.