The principal’s experience alternative does not supply the spouse’s work authorization. A qualifying spouse may seek TD, which permits study but not employment. If the household depends on two professional incomes, assess an independent route for the spouse.
Separate family evidence from consulting evidence
Prepare relationship and identity documents for dependents while the consulting history is reviewed. Do not add a spouse to the consulting agreement as a shortcut around TD restrictions. Any genuine second professional engagement requires its own assessment and lawful authorization.
A TD dependant may enrol in school or university, may hold a bank account and may live in the United States for as long as the principal's admission runs, but any employment, paid or unpaid in substance, is outside the status. Dependants in TD can study full time without changing status, which usually covers children and often a spouse who wants to pursue a program. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may be admitted in TD status; TD holders may study in the United States, and they may not accept employment, which regularly surprises households where both adults work. TD status carries no employment authorization of any kind, and working remotely for a Canadian employer while physically present in the United States is still work performed in the United States.