Read the general life across the border overview
A Saint-Basile-le-Grand family may have children at different ages and stages of study. Record each child’s circumstances instead of applying one child’s eligibility assessment to every sibling. A first review should give every family member a separate row with relationship, age, marital status, nationality, passport expiry, current status and intended school or work activity. That record shows which questions are shared and which belong only to one person. Hypothetical example: a museum lighting designer’s 20-year-old child plans to marry before a proposed E-2 move, while a younger sibling plans to enroll in school. The decision is whether each person still has a qualifying derivative basis, rather than assuming the household moves under one rule.
Check the actual age and relationship conditions
The relevant TD, E and L categories generally concern a qualifying spouse and unmarried children under 21. Record each child’s birth date, marital status, citizenship and documents. A sibling’s eligibility does not preserve another child’s category, and a principal’s document treatment does not automatically apply to every relative. Check the relationship evidence and the date-sensitive facts for each person before making travel plans. A birth certificate or marriage record answers a different question from a passport or a current status record. Decide whether any family member needs separate advice because their age, marriage or nationality creates a distinct issue.
Keep work and school rules accurate
A school arrangement for one sibling does not authorize another to work. TD provides no employment permission, and the work benefit for qualifying E or L spouses does not cover their children. Where a spouse relies on that benefit, valid status and appropriate evidence remain necessary; an EAD is not always required. Put school attendance and authorized stay in separate columns, because enrollment does not lengthen anyone’s status. Write down the exact proposed activity and where it would occur for every spouse and child. Studying, volunteering, remote work and paid employment can raise different issues; do not let a school plan stand in for work authorization. The decision is whether the person has a valid basis for the activity or must postpone it pending separate authorization.
Assess a child-age issue on its own facts
Immigrant CSPA age protection requires individual analysis of the applicable route and dates. It does not generally freeze temporary TD, E or L age limits. Hypothetical example: siblings have different age-related questions near the proposed move. Keep separate unresolved items and plans rather than treating the household as one age calculation. Create a dated calendar showing each child’s 21st birthday, the principal’s status period and any immigrant-process dates that counsel identifies as relevant. Do not assume a temporary derivative category receives the same protection as an immigrant case. Decide early whether a child requires an independent strategy rather than a last-minute extension request.
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.