Read the general life across the border overview
A household may share costs while its members need different immigration evidence. Identify the actual relationship, intended activity and admission status for each person; paying an expense does not confer work permission.
Describe what each person intends to do
Distinguish accompanying, studying and working. A spouse’s contribution to a business is not itself employment authorization. TD dependents cannot work under TD status, including remote work performed while physically in the United States. Qualifying E and L spouses may be employment-authorized incident to valid status with appropriate evidence; children do not obtain that benefit solely as dependents.
Keep school planning linked to valid status
TD, E and L dependents may study while maintaining qualifying status. Enrollment does not extend an authorized stay or preserve a dependent category after its conditions end. Track individual admission records and dates. Immigration age protection associated with an immigrant case does not freeze the age limit for TD, E or L dependent status.
Identify the actual immigrant family proposal
For EB-5, eligible derivatives are not separate investors merely because they accompany the principal; their eligibility and timing still require individual assessment. Under current Gold Card instructions, initial inclusion of intended eligible joining family members is recommended; each eligible joining person has additional stated charges. Do not assume a shared budget includes extended relatives or establishes an individual decision.
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.