L-2 dependent-child status does not authorize employment.
Identify whether the proposed placement involves work
An unmarried child under 21 may qualify as an L-2 dependant and study while maintaining status. A training label does not itself confer permission for paid work. Eligible L-2 spouses have a distinct incident-to-status work rule and need their own valid spousal-status record.
The principal needs a valid L-1B petition based on one continuous qualifying foreign year, related active entities and special or advanced company knowledge connected to the US assignment. The common planning failure is arranging a spouse's start date or a child's activity before confirming admission records, while overlooking that the principal's L-1B eligibility rests on the qualifying relationship, foreign year, and specialized-knowledge assignment. If the family intends to stay for the whole assignment, list each person's passport and Canadian status, since a spouse or child who is a permanent resident rather than a citizen will process L-2 at a consulate rather than at the border.
- USCIS — L classification documentation and evidence
- Department of State — 9 FAM 402.12
- 8 USC 1184 — specialized knowledge definition
- USCIS — employment authorization for certain spouses
- ICE — nonimmigrant classes that may study
- USCIS — fee schedule
- L definitions, foreign employment and new-office evidence
- L1B specialized knowledge and offsite placement statute