Do not assume so. Assess derivative eligibility and any CSPA protection using the relevant individual facts and dates.
Review the actual current timeline
Filing does not automatically freeze age. Historical planning or a prior project’s schedule cannot substitute for the applicable visa-availability and age analysis.
Record birth dates and the petition's filing and approval history, and have the applicable CSPA calculation reviewed individually rather than relying on a general rule of thumb. Keep school enrollment plans separate from status eligibility, since a school admission or an investment payment does not by itself extend a child's qualifying age or guarantee the household completes the process together. Age is assessed under the applicable rules rather than simply on the calendar, and a child who no longer qualifies needs a separate route, so the ages of older children should be reviewed before filing. Record each family member's current status, travel plans, and school year, noting that eligible derivatives are a spouse and unmarried children under twenty-one.