The referral does not change family rules. Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 may seek L-2. Qualifying spouses are employment-authorized incident to valid qualifying status with appropriate evidence; children do not gain employment permission solely through L-2.
Assess family plans on the usual basis
Record the accompanying family members' citizenship, relationship evidence, and intended work or study plans as with any other L-1B case, independent of how personally connected the assignment happens to be.
The principal’s pending Form I-129, anticipated approval, or planned admission confers nothing on the spouse yet, and L-2 children do not share the spouse’s employment entitlement. Compare expiration dates for each family member, and examine any gap caused by travel, extension filings, or a change of classification before accepting work. For an unmarried child under 21, check continuing dependent eligibility separately from school dates; that child does not receive the spouse’s employment authorization. Note as well that a dependent spouse's employment authorization and the children's schooling arrangements sit on that same date, so the household's planning horizon is the principal's constraining date rather than a separate one.