Published: February 9, 2022
For many immigrant families, having two working parents in one household is crucial. Relying on one breadwinner may not be feasible considering how high the cost of living is in America.
If you are planning to migrate with your family plan carefully with your spouse. If both of you cannot acquire employment-based visas at the same time, there are other visa categories that may allow the applicant’s spouse to work as well. Here are some examples:
E-1 Visa (Treaty Traders)
E-1 Visa covers business owners and investors coming from specific countries that the United States maintains a trade treaty with. Dependent spouses of E-1 Visa holders are designated under the E-1S Visa category. By virtue of Policy Alert PA-2021-25, the USCIS will automatically grant employment authorization for dependent spouses of applicants under this category.
E-2 Visa (Treaty Investors)
E-2 Visa holders involve noncitizens who invest substantial capital in businesses within the United States. E-2 Visa holders should also be citizens of countries that have a trade treaty with the United States. While E-2 Visa holders may only work for the E-2 company they are associated with, their dependent spouses may work for other companies or may even be self-employed. Similar to E-1 Visa holders, spouses of E-2 Visa holders enjoy automatic employment authorization.
H-1B Visa (Specialty Occupations)
H-1B Visa allows noncitizens to work in the United States with their “specialty occupations.” Applicants must possess appropriate education, specialized training, and/or progressive experience in their field of specialty. Dependent spouses of H-1B Visa holders also benefit from the automatic employment authorization set by Policy Alert PA-2021-25.
L-1 Visa (Business Expansion)
L-1 Visa covers employees working for companies outside the United States that have branches, subsidiaries, affiliates, or joint venture partners in the United States. Spouses of L-1 Visa holders are categorized under L-2 Visa. L-2 Visa holders also qualify for automatic work authorization. They may no longer apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
We’re Here to Unite Families
ALG Lawyers understands the pain of being separated from family members. We are here to help bring your family as one. Despite the legal, procedural, and technical challenges, our Los Angeles immigration lawyers will remain committed to providing first-rate immigration services. You can count on us to reunite your family.
(Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers. Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from a qualified attorney based on their individual circumstances. Thank you.)