A qualifying L spouse may work incident to valid status with appropriate evidence, but the employer’s staffing gap does not create that status or evidence.
Check permission before assigning the work
Eligible dependents are the spouse and unmarried children under 21; children do not receive the spouse’s employment authorization. Verify the spouse’s actual classification, authorized dates and appropriate spouse-designated I-94 or other work evidence. The principal’s management petition should accurately describe the staffing plan without assuming an accompanying relative is already authorized to fill it.
Spouses of L-1 principals hold work authorization by virtue of their status rather than by separate grant, and the admission record itself evidences it, so there is no waiting period between arrival and a first pay cheque. Record who would travel, each person's nationality and current status, and whether a spouse expects to work for the same company or elsewhere, since a spouse working in a closely held family business raises questions worth putting to counsel early. Create individual family profiles showing relationship, age, requested L-2 status, admission notation, study plans, and every proposed job or business activity.