US Authorities Implement New Admission Codes for E and L Spouses, Providing for Employment Authorization Automatically Upon Entry
MSK Client Alert
February 10, 2022
As of January 31, 2022, the US Customs and Border Protection has begun providing spouses of E and L-1 nonimmigrants with a special designation code upon admission to the United States. Following a lawsuit settlement that was announced in November, 2021, these spouses will be allowed to work in the United States immediately upon entry. These spouses will be issued I-94 forms with newly implemented classification codes upon entry (differentiating E and L spouses from children; children are not work authorized). The newly designated I-94 forms will be acceptable evidence of work authorization, per List C of Form I-9.