Read the general life across the border overview
The principal applicant’s employer may know the assignment but not every family member’s plans. Build the family review from individual documents and activities instead of assuming a relocation summary establishes everyone’s permission.
Ask each person what they intend to do
Hypothetical example: a relocation form says the spouse is “accompanying,” but the spouse plans to continue paid remote work while physically in the United States. Record that activity expressly. Identify each child’s age and study plans. An administrative label does not decide whether the contemplated activity is permitted.
Match the answer to the actual classification
TD status does not authorize employment. Qualifying E and L spouses may be employment-authorized incident to status and need appropriate evidence; an employment authorization document is not universally required for those spouses. Children do not gain employment authorization solely through dependent status. TD, E and L dependents may study while maintaining the applicable status. For TD, E and L child-dependent status, the child must be unmarried and under 21; immigrant CSPA protection does not extend those temporary child-dependent age limits.
Verify dates using individual records
Check each person’s admission and status documents rather than assuming the principal’s dates apply identically to everyone. Study does not extend an authorized stay. For an immigrant process, review child eligibility and any CSPA issue individually; filing alone does not automatically freeze age. Route unresolved questions to review before employment, school or travel commitments depend on the answer.
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.