Can I bring relatives other than my spouse and children as visitors?

As dependents, no. The L-1 grants derivative status, the L-2, only to the spouse and dependent children of the principal visa holder. Only these family members have an immigration status tied to the transferred worker.

That does not mean other relatives cannot visit you. Parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and other family members do not qualify as L-1 dependents, but they may come to the United States through a visitor visa, typically the B-2, designed for short-term visits.

Those traveling as visitors will generally need to demonstrate:

• That the purpose of the trip is temporary.
• Ties to their home country indicating they will return at the end of the visit.
• That the stay complies with the rules of the visitor visa.

Since each visa type has its own rules, it is worth checking updated requirements with official sources or a specialist before planning your relatives’ visit.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.