His spouse may enter in L-2 status and is employment-authorized incident to that status, so she can work without a separate permit. Unmarried children under 21 in L-2 may attend school but may not work, and every dependent status ends when his L-1B ends.
L-2 rights do not depend on which L category the principal holds
Spouse and child rules are identical whether the principal transfers as a manager or on specialized knowledge. Callum's spouse could take a job with any American employer, work remotely for a Canadian one from inside the United States, or start a business, using the annotated Form I-94 as proof of authorization during onboarding. Children may enrol in school.
Two points are specific to a two-year technical assignment. L-1B status is capped at five years in total, so an extension beyond the initial period should be planned against that ceiling rather than assumed. A child who will pass 21 during the stay needs an independent route arranged in advance, whether as a student or otherwise.
Where the family will live should match where the petition says he will work, since a mismatch invites questions that have nothing to do with his knowledge.
- USCIS: L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2 Part L, Intracompany Transferees
- eCFR: 8 CFR 214.2(l), Intracompany transferees
- USCIS translation requirement, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)
- USCIS: employment authorization for certain spouses, Policy Manual Volume 10 Part B Chapter 2