A shared move can involve different employment, study and arrival plans. Record each person’s citizenship, relationship, age and intended activity before assuming one status provides every permission the household needs. The principal applicant’s opportunity is the starting point, not a complete answer for the family.
Describe remote work as work
Hypothetical example: one Calgary partner has a U.S. offer while the other plans to work remotely for a Canadian employer from the United States. Put that activity in the review. TD does not authorize employment; qualifying E/L spouses are employment-authorized incident to status, with individual documentation still relevant. The employer’s country alone does not decide permission.
Separate study from employment and age limits
Record a child’s school or university plan together with their age and status dates. Study can be permitted in TD or E/L dependent status while the status is maintained, but it does not extend the authorized stay or establish employment permission. Identify any internship or paid activity separately. A spouse’s employment rule should not be applied to a dependent child.
Identify the consequence of a changed date
Ask what happens if one person cannot begin the intended activity or arrive on the preferred date. Keep school, housing and employment conditions available for practical review. For permanent-residence plans, have visa availability and child-age questions individually assessed; do not assume a payment or petition filing freezes eligibility. The aim is a plan based on actual permissions and unresolved decisions. Temporary derivative eligibility concerns spouses and unmarried children under 21. Immigrant derivatives also need their own qualifying relationship and age assessment; they may enter with or after the principal, not before. A school registration or separate household calendar cannot alter those requirements.
What else is on your mind?
Is a matching job title enough for TN?Can years of experience replace a degree for TN?Can my own U.S. company employ me under TN?Can my spouse work if I hold TN status?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.
- Department of State — TN professional workers
- Department of State — 9 FAM 402.17
- USTR — USMCA Chapter 16 Appendix 2
- USCIS — fee schedule
- ICE — nonimmigrant classes that may study
- USCIS — L classification documentation and evidence
- Department of State — 9 FAM 402.12
- USCIS — employment authorization for certain spouses
- Department of State — treaty investors
- Department of State — 9 FAM 402.9
- USCIS — EB-5 investor program
- USCIS — business and investment visa overview
- USCIS — Child Status Protection Act
- Department of State — Visa Bulletin