Read the general life across the border overview
One household may need several status and activity decisions. A principal’s transfer or investment does not automatically authorize a spouse’s remote work, keep a child eligible indefinitely or make every family member ready to arrive on the same date.
Put the intended activity beside each person
List citizenship, relationship evidence, age, current status and intended US work or study. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may qualify under the relevant dependent rules, but eligibility must be established individually. A legally valid common-law marriage can require its own legal and documentary assessment; cohabitation alone is not enough.
Check the status that supports the work
TD status does not authorize employment, including remote work physically performed in the United States. Qualifying E and L spouses are employment-authorized incident to valid qualifying spousal status, with appropriate evidence such as the relevant spouse-designated I-94. Their dependent children do not receive that work benefit. Study does not extend the temporary dependent age or status limits.
Give later arrivals their own document list
Retain the principal’s status and relationship records for the later family member’s process, and check each person’s resulting admission and dates. In an immigrant case, derivatives entering on immigrant visas cannot precede the principal. Immigrant child-age protection is a case-specific assessment, not a general extension of TD, E or L child status. Keep school, employment and housing commitments tied to the permission each person actually obtains.
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: 2026-09-08. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.