L-2 visa

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An L-2 visa is a visa document used to enter the United States by the dependent spouse and minor unmarried children of qualified L-1 visa holders. It is a non-immigrant visa, and is only valid for the duration of the spouse's L1 visa.

[edit] Employment with L2 Visa

The holder of an L-2 visa can apply with the USCIS for employment authorization after arriving in the United States and, after issuance of the Employment Authorization Document(EAD, Form I-765), may thereafter work for any employer.

NEEDS CHECKING: The holder of an L-2 visa is also entitled to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) with documentary proof of their marriage (which is also a condition of the visa issuance).

[edit] Application process

The spouse and children of the primary (L-1) applicant who are under the age of 21 may be issued L-2 visas at the time of application, or at a later date following approval. Children of the primary L-1 can attend school.

[edit] Renewals

L-2 status may be renewed and extended within the United States when the L-1 visa is renewed. Renewal in the United States applies to status only, not the actual visa in the passport. For visa renewal, the applicant must go to a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the United States. An alien cannot leave the United States and then re-enter without a valid L-1 visa, and must appear personally before a consular officer for visa issuance. This often leads to difficulties for applicants, because it means leaving their adopted home in the United States for as long as it takes the embassy to issue their new visa. At particularly busy times of year, or at some consulates or embassies, this can take several weeks or more.

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