Read the general eligibility basics overview
Hypothetical example: a Grand Bay-Westfield couple plan a move on the husband's TN offer as a forester with a U.S. timberlands company. He is a Canadian citizen; his wife is a Ukrainian citizen and a Canadian permanent resident working as a medical radiation technologist. Her permanent residence does not give her TN eligibility, because TN requires citizenship. She may seek TD status as his spouse, but as a Ukrainian citizen she generally needs a TD visa before admission. TD permits study but not work, so employment needs a separate basis.
TN is a citizenship test, and a PR card is not citizenship
Hypothetical example: a Grand Bay-Westfield wife has held Canadian permanent residence for six years, files Canadian taxes, and has a card that looks official at any counter. None of that reaches the TN requirement, which is Canadian or Mexican citizenship. The distinction catches families out because permanent residence functions like citizenship for most domestic purposes and for none of this one. Her practical options are to accompany as a TD dependant, to qualify for her own status through an employer, or to complete Canadian citizenship first if she is eligible and the timeline allows. Naturalization is not quick and should be assessed on her own residency history rather than assumed, but for a family planning several years ahead it is worth pricing as an option rather than discovering later that it was one.
TD covers presence and study, never employment
Hypothetical example: the same wife expects to look for hospital imaging work once they arrive, on the reasoning that her profession is in demand. TD status does not permit employment of any kind, in any occupation, however great the shortage, and there is no application that adds work authorization to TD. What TD does permit is study, so a spouse in her position sometimes uses the first period to complete a qualification or a bridging programme. If she wants to work, the routes to examine are her own employment-based petition filed by a U.S. employer or another independently qualifying status. After Canadian citizenship, TN would be possible only if the offered duties fit a profession actually listed: Medical Laboratory Technologist is listed with its own qualification rule, but medical radiation technologist is not the same profession.
Two files, two sets of documents, one consistent story
Hypothetical example: the couple assemble one folder for the family. Separate them. His file proves Canadian citizenship, the forester duties, and the degree or licence that the Forester entry requires, together with his employer's letter. Hers proves the marriage, her Ukrainian passport, her Canadian permanent residence and her intention to accompany rather than work. Where documents are not in English, include a complete translation with the translator's certification. The two files should not contradict each other about the length of the assignment or the family's plans, and neither should suggest that she has arranged work. If she does intend to pursue her own status later, that is a future application, and describing it as already in progress when it is not creates a problem in both files.
What else is on your mind?
Does Canadian permanent residence give me access to TN?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?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.