TD does not authorize employment. Assess the spouse’s actual tasks and any independent authorization rather than assuming technical help is permissible because the principal’s work is professional.
Identify the benefit and location of the activity
Record what the spouse would do, for whom, where and whether compensation is involved. Unpaid activities require a specific assessment; absence of salary is not a complete answer. TD permits study, but that does not authorize business test preparation. Do not extend the principal’s classification to another household member.
The first review should list every household member’s relationship, age, classification, validity, intended study, travel, work and business activity. A principal case may be viable while a spouse or child needs a separate answer before starting productive activity.
Hypothetical example: A atmospheric-sampling technologist plans a move with a spouse or child who has a separate activity. The household must decide whether that person has individual authorization before the activity begins.
A Canadian professional may request TN admission in a border inspection process or use an employer’s USCIS I-129 petition; neither option permits a self-employed U.S. arrangement. Sequence the next step only after the controlling record is available. A rushed filing often fails because an undefined commercial fact, mismatched document or unauthorized activity remains hidden until review. Keep the decision, the record and the resulting action together in the file.
Sequence the next step only after the controlling record is available. A rushed filing often fails because an undefined commercial fact, mismatched document or unauthorized activity remains hidden until review. Keep the decision, the record and the resulting action together in the file.