Do not assume a shared start date. Each case runs its own clock through vetting, category determination, visa availability and interview scheduling, and those stages do not line up because two people were filed together. Official descriptions measured in weeks describe the intended process, not a commitment for either file.
Staffing a US role when only one of two arrivals is confirmed
A conditional target date can be discussed, but the actual start must be consistent with each employee’s work authorization. A paid gift or pending case grants none. For a consular case, admission as a lawful permanent resident generally permits work; another valid authorization, if held, requires its own review. Plan lawful coverage for the US role if only one employee becomes available, without assuming work can simply be performed from another country.
Because the gift is requested only after successful vetting, there is no reason to sell farmland merely because the processing fee has been paid. The official sequence begins with the application and the nonrefundable processing fee for each person. A payment date should not determine a resignation, travel date, or work start until the independent EB-1 or EB-2 requirements and availability issues are assessed.