Eligible dependents generally use L-2 status under either category. A qualifying L-2 spouse is employment-authorized incident to status, while children do not receive work authorization simply by holding L-2 status.
Assess the household independent of the principal's specific L category
Record each family member's intended work or study plan and relevant dates, and confirm the spouse's actual documentation rather than assuming identical treatment regardless of category. The choice between L-1A and L-1B should follow the applicant's real role, not an assumption about which category benefits the family more.
A spouse's intended job search, a child's school plans, and any time spent outside the United States can affect practical planning. If a child will turn 21 during the posting, dependant eligibility ends on that birthday regardless of where the principal's clock stands, and a student route has its own admission and enrolment timetable. A technician on a short installation assignment may choose to travel alone and have the family visit as visitors; that is a legitimate plan, but visitors may not work or enrol in a full course of study.