Read the general life across the border overview
A prior application, different citizenship or a separate work plan may affect one family member differently from another. A Dieppe household should collect individual facts before assuming that everyone can follow the principal’s timetable.
Identify actual status and work plans
TD provides no employment authorization. Qualifying E and L spouses may have work authorization incident to appropriate status with required evidence, while children do not receive that spouse permission. A pending application or foreign customer does not automatically authorize US work.
Record immigration history accurately
Keep prior applications and notices for each person, distinguishing known decisions from uncertain recollections. A principal’s earlier refusal does not itself supply the answer for every relative, and financial support does not waive individual eligibility requirements.
Coordinate immigrant stages
The principal must enter before or with immigrant-visa derivatives. Review relationships, ages and any CSPA protection using actual case dates. Gold Card charges each eligible included spouse or unmarried child under 21, subject to applicable age-protection rules a US$1 million gift plus US$15,000 nonrefundable processing; initial inclusion is recommended without making every later addition impossible or free.
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.