Can L2 visa holders study in the US?

I'm currently on an L2 visa and I'm wondering if I'm allowed to study while I'm here. Do I need any special permissions or should I follow any particular process to enroll in high school or college?

Yes, as an L2 visa holder, you are absolutely allowed to study in the United States. This includes both high school and college or university study. The L2 visa is a dependent visa, granted to the spouses and unmarried children under 21 of L1 visa holders (individuals who are in the U.S. to work on an intra-company transfer basis). One of the benefits of the L2 visa is that it allows holders to engage in full-time or part-time study without requiring an additional student (F-1) visa.

For high-school enrollment, you'd typically just need to follow the normal process for the specific school district you reside in. This often involves verifying your residence in the district, providing previous school records, and fulfilling any further district requirements.

To attend college or university as an L2 visa holder, you'll need to undergo the standard application process - which typically involves submitting an application, transcripts, test scores (if the school isn't test-blind), essays, letters of recommendation, and satisfying any other specific requirements of the given institution. It's crucial to remember that application processes can vary, so always check with the specific institution for accurate information.

Keep in mind, while you're allowed to study on an L2 visa, it doesn't provide the same benefits as an F-1 student visa, like on-campus employment. Moreover, your ability to remain in the U.S. and to continue your studies depends on the L1 visa holder maintaining their status. If the L1 visa holder loses their status, then you'd also lose your L2 visa status, which could affect your ability to stay and study in the U.S. If you plan on long-term studies, you may want to consider changing your status to an F-1 visa.