TD does not authorize employment, including a paid support role linked to the principal.
Assess the proposed activity itself
Identify the tasks and where they would be performed. Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 may study in maintained TD status, but the principal’s TN work permission does not extend to their employment. A small task or family connection is not separate authorization.
A spouse admitted in TD may remain for the same period as the principal, may enrol in school or university, and may travel in and out of the country, but may not be employed, paid or self-employed anywhere in the United States. Whether operating a Canadian business remotely while physically present in TD status counts as prohibited employment is not clearly settled, and the safe assumption is that it may be treated as work. If the spouse has a genuine job offer, review a separate immigration category and its timing rather than describing productive services as casual remote assistance. Review any proposed remote activity or unpaid role specifically, and consider an independent work-authorizing route where relevant before relying on a second income.