Highlights • The spatio-temporal expression analysis of gli2 showed its expression in the premigratory and migratory neural crest. • Gli2 acts as a transcriptional activator in the neural crest modulating neural plate border and neural crest genes. • Gli2 does not affect cell proliferation but enhances survival of neural crest cells. • Neural crest migration requires gli2 in a cell autonomous manner. • Gli2 is required in the formation of craniofacial cartilages, Rohon-Beard neurons, cranial ganglia primordia and melanocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]