I am a Canadian citizen working as an attorney in the US. I am currently on OPT but need to switch to another visa by May. I plan to apply for a TN visa at the border. My spouse (NOT a Canadian citizen) is currently in F-2 status and will need to change to TD status after I acquire TN status.

Questions:

1) Can my spouse file a I-539 to change from F-2 to TD after I reenter the US in TN status? How long after I enter the US in TN status does my spouse have to file the I-539?

2) We plan to travel to Canada together to get my TN status. I understand that my spouse (because not a Canadian citizen) would need a visa from a US consulate to reenter in TD status. What I want to know is can my wife reenter the US before me (e.g. a few hours or a day) on her then still valid F-2, then I enter the US on TN status (which I can get at the border), and then my spouse files a I-539 to change from F-2 to TD status? If so, how much time before I enter the US in my new TN status should my spouse enter F-2 status?

Thanks.