An L-2 spouse is employment-authorized incident to status and may work without a separate petition. A child qualifies for L-2 only while unmarried and under 21, so a twenty-year-old should plan for what happens at the birthday.
L-2 work permission and the age limit
L-2 spouses are treated as employment-authorized by virtue of their status, which makes L-1A one of the more practical routes for a two-career household. The spouse should still confirm how a prospective employer will verify that authorization and keep the admission record current. Children are a different matter.
L-2 status for a child ends when the child turns 21 or marries, and there is no extension for being enrolled in school. A twenty-year-old who moves with the family may need to change to a student category before the birthday, or may decide to remain in Canada for study. Plan the timeline from the child's date of birth, not from the petition date.
Also record each family member's citizenship separately; a spouse who is a Canadian permanent resident but a citizen of another country is admitted in L-2 on the principal's petition, but their own future work options will depend on their nationality.