Us entry on L2 visa - documents

[chemenger]

I have searched for a definitive answer all over the internet and now I’m hoping MN can help. I am entering the US on an L2 spouse visa without my L1 visa holding spouse (he is in the US already). Should I have documentation over and above the visa itself? There are all sorts of answers out there including needing birth and marriage certificates!

Hi! You will be fine - I have an l2 spouse visa and have entered the USA on my own the other month and when we came over last year just me and the kids I only had our passports. I did bring the kids birth certificates though and my marriage certificate when I was on my own with the kids as my passport is still in my maiden name.
Hope this helps!

I'm on an L2. When I entered they looked up my info on the computer, and we went from there. You're already in the system and approved so in theory there's no need to bring anything extra. However, I did bring my supporting documents because I am that kind of person

Good luck with your move!

Thanks. I’m going to get DH to send me copies of anything relevant just in case, but hopefully I won’t need it.

We carry the visa paperwork with us now - a change that was made a few years ago. Always travel without l-1 husband, and it depends on the border officer as to whether it is required. In Houston, always - they are so used to seeing l-1’s and l-2’s through the airport, and they always check paperwork, ask relevant questions etc. coming into Tampa Florida last week, the officer asked why I had all the paperwork with me! Best be on the safe side. You can never predict with border control.

You are in the system so will be ok. I had an issue coming back through Newark once with DD1. DH was not yet on his greencard and I was on my US passport as was DD. Coming in the immigration official couldn't wrap his head around us being US citizens and him being on an L1 visa. He was asking me a million questions because he couldn't fathom why I hadn't sponsored him!

When booking flights try to come in through a friendly airport such as Newark, JFK, Miami, Houston, LA or Seattle. The 2nd tier airports (for international flights) ask so many more questions.

I travelled with copies of everything that DH had, because I was worried that I would be asked for it. In the event, they didn't need any of it but did ask me a couple of questions about him (his name, his role and where we would be living). After that initial entry where the visa was activated, I wasn't asked anything else or to produce any other pieces of paper

LOL at your description of MIA as a "friendly airport", Want2

That's been the absolute worst place for us and for Brit friends (one even ended up being held for 3+ hours in immigration custody for some unknown reason)

Miami has been better than Orlando. Houston has been better than Dallas. Newark has been better than JFK.

I thought they were going to deport my sister when she flew in from Canada to meet us in Orlando. If they had figured out where to deport her to I'm sure they would have. She was born in Canada, lived in guernsey and was on secondment in Bermuda.

I’m entering in Providence, very friendly usually. One of the immigration officers has the same birthday as dd. They’re all very chatty. Unfortunately they’re stopping the Norwegian flight we’ve been using ☹️.

So I made it into the country, no additional documents, but only admitted for a year. I’m only staying for a year and will be coming and going back to the U.K. so I’m not fussed.

How long is your visa for?

My visa runs to 2023, butDH’s L1 ends in 2021, which is why I think they want to see his documents when I enter. Since I am yet again leaving and re-entering without him in a week or so I’ve made him send me a copy of his stuff now! I can’t face immigration at midnight after a nightmare flight again without it!