Read the general life across the border overview
A household may want to contribute to the principal’s work or enterprise. Identify the actual activities and individual status rather than assuming family participation is automatically allowed.
Turn proposed family help into a task list
For a household considering participation in the principal’s business, write down the actual customer-facing, administrative or production tasks each person would perform. A company’s willingness to accept help does not grant permission to work. Confirm who qualifies as a spouse or unmarried child under 21 before relying on TD, E or L dependent classification.
Assign work only after checking the individual permission
If the spouse will hold TD status, remove U.S.-performed employment from the plan, including work remotely for a Canadian employer. A spouse in valid qualifying E or L status may instead have employment authorization incident to that status; inspect the supporting evidence rather than universally demanding an EAD. The child does not inherit that spouse benefit. TD, E and L children and spouses may study while maintaining their status, but a school placement supplies neither extra authorized days nor employment permission.
Keep enterprise staffing separate from immigrant sponsorship
Do not count an accompanying EB-5 relative as another investor merely because that person may later contribute to the business. Derivative eligibility, including a fact-specific CSPA assessment where needed, depends on individual records and visa availability, not an automatic age freeze at filing. Under the Gold Card FAQ, eligible relatives intended to join should be included initially and carry separate charges; household involvement in the enterprise does not waive them.
Release the household relocation plan person by person
Before adding someone to a U.S. work schedule, identify the status document authorizing that activity. For immigrant-visa arrivals, arrange for the principal to enter before or alongside derivatives. A business opening date must accommodate that order; it cannot authorize a relative to enter first as a derivative or start work without permission.
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.