Family planning needs an individual evidence list as well as a shared relocation goal. Identify what is known about each person’s status and intended activity, and flag gaps before an employment or school decision depends on an unverified assumption.
Describe activities rather than household labels
Hypothetical example: a family summary lists a spouse as “not relocating for work,” but the spouse intends to continue paid remote employment from the United States. Include that activity expressly. Record children’s ages and study plans and each person’s citizenship and relationship. The principal’s work proposal does not answer all these questions.
Apply the actual dependent distinctions
TD does not authorize employment. Qualifying E and L spouses may have employment authorization incident to status with appropriate documentation; an employment authorization document is not universally required for them. Dependent children receive no work authorization solely through these statuses. TD, E and L dependents may study while maintaining the applicable status, but study does not extend the authorized stay.
Check the dates on individual evidence
Review each person’s admission and status documents, not just a family itinerary. For an immigrant process, assess derivative eligibility and any CSPA question individually using actual dates and visa availability. Filing alone does not automatically freeze age. Identify time-sensitive evidence gaps and arrange commitments around confirmed permission rather than an assumed common outcome.
Respect the order of immigrant entry
For an immigrant-visa family, the principal applicant must enter before or together with derivative family members. A preferred staggered move should be planned around that rule and each person’s actual documentation, not treated as an unrestricted choice of arrival order.
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.