L-2 spouses are eligible for employment in the U.S. and may either rely on automatic work authorization incident to status or apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Children in L-2 status, however, are not eligible to work in the U.S., although they can attend school.

Under current USCIS rules, L-2 spouses are automatically considered employment-authorized once admitted to the U.S. in L-2 status.