Read the general life across the border overview
Household members may have different plans for employment, study and accompaniment. Identify those activities individually instead of choosing a principal category on the assumption that every dependent receives the same work benefit.
Compare real household needs on one worksheet
Give each proposed activity its own row: the spouse’s outside job, the child’s paid holiday role and any course of study. Beside it, identify the person’s relationship, age and intended status. TD, E and L accompaniment generally requires a spouse or an unmarried child younger than 21, rather than any financially dependent relative.
Test the employment assumptions before choosing a principal route
A TN principal’s qualifying spouse in TD cannot take the outside job while in the United States; keeping the employer in Canada and working remotely does not avoid the restriction. Qualifying E and L spouses may have work authorization through valid status itself, supported by appropriate documents, without an EAD being universally required. Neither route gives a dependent child the same right. The holiday job therefore needs its own valid work basis. TD, E and L study can coexist with maintained status, but a term at school does not prolong it.
Price a residence alternative using the correct family unit
EB-5 does not require every eligible accompanying derivative to make a separate investment. Check child-age protection with the actual chronology and visa availability rather than assuming the petition locks age. Gold Card is different: intended eligible joining relatives should be listed initially with separate charges. Ask for a person-by-person official payment breakdown before accepting a household package quotation.
Resolve sequencing before committing to the outside job
An immigrant-visa derivative’s arrival must follow or accompany the principal’s entry. Reconcile that sequence with the spouse’s proposed start date and the child’s school plans. A preferred arrival date is a planning input, not evidence of admission, maintained status or permission to work.
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.