L2 Visa Requirements, L-2 Visa Documents, L2 Visa Application

Video description 

The links explained in the video are here; 

Consular Electronic Application Center website to get the form Ds-160.  

Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

What questions are asked in the US L2 visa interview?

Participation in the interview is part of the pre-visa process. The USA L2 visa interview questions include questions regarding:

• Previous residency in the United States
• Applicant’s relationship with the holder of the L-1 visa
• Applicant’s intention to travel to the United States

In most cases, L-2 visa applications are not rejected. After participating in the interview, you have to wait for the processing time and gain a response from the US Embassy.

How long does it take to assess the documents and issue a visa?

The average processing time for the US L2 visa is 15 days to 1 month. Factors such as embassy workload are essential in determining the processing time of documents.

How long is the L2 visa valid?

The conditions of the US L2 visa are subject to the terms of the holder of the L1 visa. The validity of the US L2 visa is the same as the validity of the L1 visa. An L1A visa holder can work in the US for up to 7 years, while an L1B visa holder can work for up to 5 years. If the L-1 visa expires, the USA L2 visa will expire.

How can the US L2 visa be extended?

If the L1 visa is renewed, the holder of the L2 visa will be eligible to be extended. To renew the visa, I-539 must be submitted to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS (Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status). If the extension is approved, the dependents of L1A visa holders can stay and work in the United States for up to 7 years. The spouse and children of L1B visa holders can also stay in this country for up to 5 years.

Are L2 visa holders allowed to work?

L2 spouses are allowed to work but must first apply for an employment authorization document. For this purpose, Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) must be submitted to the USCIS. A copy of Form I-94 and two photographs must also be sent. If USCIS approves the request, employment authorization will be issued, and they can work in this country.

The issuance of an EAD is a process that takes 90 days. If you plan to work in the United States, apply for an EAD immediately upon arrival and do not wait for a job offer. So you will not need a job offer to apply for an EAD. This document is valid for two years. As long as the L-2 visa is valid, you can renew your work permit. If your EADt is approved, you must apply for a Social Security Number. Children who enter the United States on an L2 visa are not allowed to work.

Can L2 visa holders study in the United States?

Yes. Spouses and children who enter the United States under the US L2 visa can enroll in part-time and full-time academic programs. L2 spouses can also work while studying, but only if they have received an employment authorization document.

Can the L2 visa status be changed?

Since the terms of the L2 visa depends on the L1 visa, it is a bit difficult to change its status to other visas. To change the status of your visa, you can consider the following:

• If you are eligible for an L1 visa, you can separately apply for it.
• If you can find an employer or sponsor, you can apply for an H1-B visa.
• If your spouse changes his or her visa from L-1 to H1B, then you must apply for an H-4 visa.

If you want to immigrate to the US as an Agricultural worker, read our article.

Can L2 visa holders apply for a Green Card?

As mentioned earlier, the terms of the L2 visa depend on the terms of the L1 visa. Therefore, if the L1 visa holder applies for a Green Card, you, as a dependent of the L-1 visa holder, will be eligible to apply for it. L visas are dual intent. This means to apply for them, you do not have to prove that you intend to return to your home country.

What is the difference between L1 and L2 visas?

The US L1 visa is a type of temporary work permit for people who will work in a subsidiary of their company in the US or transferees. The people who have specialized knowledge or will work in managerial positions will receive an L1 visa. The applicants who want to be qualified for the L1 visa need to:

• Have been working for at least one year in a company outside of the US in the latest three years.
• Have a full-time job position in a company outside of the US.
• Provide service in an executive capacity or work as a manager for the same employer in a branch in the US or an equivalent organization.

Spouses, law partners, or children (under 21) of an L1 visa holder can move to the US through an L2 visa. Other people who have an L visa do not have permission to move to the US through an L1 visa. Parents, grandparents, and other family members only have permission to apply for a US B2 visitor visa and visit their relatives in the country.

What is an L2 EAD visa in the USA?

The EAD or Employment Authorization Document is the authorization that the spouses who hold an L 2 visa must receive to work for an employer in the US.

The applicants need to file an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. There are a few immigrant groups who are not allowed to work in the US. These people need to apply for the EAD, so they are able to work legally in the country.

The spouse of the L1 visa holder has permission to work, but the children do not receive work authorization automatically.

EAD is proof that the applicant can work in the US and is good evidence. Eleven if the applicant does not need any certificate indicating that he/she is able to work in the US, it is recommended to apply and receive the EAD.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for issuing the EAD. Its shape and size are similar to a simple credit card. The general information that an EAD contains is as follows:

• first name
• last name
• birthday
• Birthplace
• Gender
• USCIS Number (= A Number)
• Holder passport photo on front and back
• specific graphics and color palette: a picture of a bald eagle with mainly red tones is displaced on the EAd.
• hologram

What is F 2 Visa USA?

The US visa applicants often mistake visa information as there are too many types of visas and immigration programs. The one visa that needs explanation with an L2 visa is the F2 visa. While an L2 visa permits the spouse and children of an L1 visa holder to move to the US, an F2 visa permits the spouse and children of an F1 visa (student visa) holder to move to the US.

If the main applicant is a student residing in the US, the family needs to apply for an F2 visa to move to the country.

If the main applicant is working in the US as a transferee under an L1 visa, the family needs to apply for an L2 visa and move to the country.

Does the L2 visa get rejected?

It is almost unlikely that the L2 visa application will get rejected as the supporter is in the US, and the visa officer does not seem anything wrong, so the spouse or child joins with the supporter.

However, there could be the possibility that the visa gets rejected. In case the US embassy in your home country finds out that the applicant is moving to the US to support the spouse who is already in the US, the application might get rejected. If the officials doubt the employment contract offered is false, they will reject the visa.

So it is better to provide reasons and valid proof for your application.

Can I study with an L2 visa?

Yes. L2 visa holders have permission to study part-time or full-time in a US educational institution either. The spouses also have permission to work in the US legally, but the children do not have the authorization to work when they are studying.

Can an L-2 visa be converted to H1?

People who have a job offer from an American employer can apply for an H1 visa. The L2 visa holders can also apply for an H1 visa if they are eligible and receive the job offer. L 2 visa holder can convert their visa to an H1 visa and the following ones:

• B-1
• B-2
• H1
• H4

Can an L2 visa holder stay in the US without L1?

The L2 visa holder only has permission to stay in the US until the supporter or L1 visa holder has permission to stay. If the L2 visa holder wants to continue staying without his/her spouse, he/she must apply and convert the visa status to another one.

Is there an interview for an L2 visa?

Yes. The L2 visa applicant can apply with the supporter or L1 applicant to the USCIS or after the supporter has moved to the US. In either of the cases, the L2 applicant needs to go through an interview at the US embassy or consulate.
The interview is a crucial step in the application process and has a large impact on the officer’s decision on whether to grant the visa or not.

Can a husband and wife apply together for a US visa?

Yes. The L1 and L2 visa applicants have permission to apply together, or when the L1 visa holder or the supporter has moved to the US, then the L1 applicant can apply. The conditions to apply for the visa is up to the applicant’s conditions.

Can L2 visa holders travel alone?

L2 visa holder does have permission to travel alone in the US and abroad and can work for any employer inside the country. It provides other benefits and advantages to the holder as well.

Let’s sum up …

In previous paragraphs, we answered the most common questions about the application process for the USA L2 visa. On the Visa Library website, you can learn about other US visas as well as ways to immigrate to other countries. In case you have some experience, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let the readers choose better and avoid mistakes. Conveying your experiences in comments is a great help for applicants.

FAQs

Can I get a Green Card through an L2 visa?

Yes, it leads to a Green card.

Can you work under an L2 visa?

Yes, if you have received employment authorization.

Is it likely that my visa will get rejected?

Most applications are accepted, but yes, if you can’t convince officials that your purpose is not genuine.

L1 or H1B, which one is better?

H1B has strict, precise, and exacting requirements. Bit L1 Visa is more convenient for multinationals and less time-consuming.