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New USCIS Policy: E-2, L-2 Spouses to Have Automatic Work Authorization in US




On Friday, November 12, USCIS announced a new policy that will automatically grant US work authorization to E-2 and L-2 spouses. To review the full USCIS policy, please click here.


Under the new policy, E-2 spouses and L-2 spouses will automatically be granted US work authorization upon entering the US. This will be directly tied to the spouse's I-94 card, which will now specifically note their status as an E-2 or L-2 dependent spouse.


USCIS stated that DHS will immediately begin implementing this new policy to update existing Forms I-94 to note that an applicant is in a dependent E-2 or L-2 status. After these changes are implemented, an E-2 or L-2 spouse's Form I-94 will be accepted as evidence of employment authorization in the US. E-2 or L-2 spouses may still continue to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), however, this will not be necessary.


If you have any questions regarding this new USCIS policy, please feel free to contact Ayla Adomat, Esq. at ayla@adomatimmigration.com.

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