TD does not authorize employment, even where the household has a repayment obligation.
Plan repayment without assuming work rights
The employer’s financial arrangement does not provide the spouse an independent immigration category. Assess the spouse’s proposed activity and lawful authorization separately from the household budget.
Build the household budget on the assumption that TD status gives the spouse no employment authorization. That restriction covers paid employment and cannot be avoided by directing wages toward a relocation debt; the actual activity matters, not the reason the family wants income. List the repayment triggers, due dates, savings, principal applicant’s expected earnings, and any lawful alternatives before accepting the benefit. Separately confirm that the principal is a Canadian or Mexican citizen, has prearranged USMCA-listed professional work, satisfies the profession’s own credential requirement, and will not be self-employed in the United States. A spouse who wants to work should first qualify for and obtain an independent status authorizing that activity. Do not confuse Canadian permanent residence with citizenship when assessing the principal’s TN route.
Hypothetical example: A veterinarian living around Ferland-et-Boilleau is offered TN work and a recoverable moving advance. Her spouse proposes remote bookkeeping for a US customer after entering in TD. The couple excludes that income from their repayment plan and obtains advice on whether the spouse has a separate work-authorized option before any services begin.