TN Visa for Canadian and Mexican Professionals
The TN category lets Canadian and Mexican citizens work in the United States in one of roughly 60 professions listed in the USMCA agreement. There is no annual cap and no lottery. Canadians can often be admitted at the border without a prior petition, while Mexican citizens apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate. Status is granted in increments of up to three years and can be renewed indefinitely.
Get Started TodayEligibility Requirements
✓Requirements
- •Citizenship of Canada or Mexico — permanent residents of either country do not qualify
- •The job must appear on the USMCA professions list (a closed list of roughly 60 occupations)
- •You must hold the specific degree or credential the list requires for that profession
- •A job offer from a U.S. employer, or a contract with a U.S. entity — self-employment is not permitted
- •The position must be professional in nature and match the listed occupation
- •You must intend to depart the United States when your status ends
★Benefits
- ✓No annual cap and no lottery — you can apply at any time of year
- ✓Canadian citizens may apply directly at a port of entry or preclearance, often with same-day admission
- ✓Granted in increments of up to 3 years, renewable indefinitely
- ✓Faster and less expensive than H-1B for those who qualify
- ✓Spouse and children receive TD dependent status and may study in the United States
- ✓You may work for more than one U.S. employer with a separate TN for each position
The Process
Case preparation
4–6 weeksOnce you engage us, we build your case: we tell you exactly which documents we need, review each one, and assemble the filing package. This stage moves at the pace documents reach us — the sooner we receive what we ask for, the sooner we can file.
Confirm the profession and credentials
1–2 weeksWe match the role to a specific USMCA profession and confirm your degree or licence satisfies what that entry requires. This is the step that decides most TN cases — the list is closed, so a role that does not map to a listed profession cannot be approved no matter how qualified you are.
Employer support letter
1–2 weeksWe prepare a detailed letter from your U.S. employer setting out the position, the professional duties, the USMCA category claimed, your qualifications, the salary, and the intended period of employment.
Application — border or consulate
Same day (Canada) or 2–8 weeks (Mexico)Canadian citizens present the package to a CBP officer at a port of entry or preclearance location and are typically adjudicated on the spot. Mexican citizens apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate, attend an interview, and enter once the visa is issued.
Admission and renewal
Up to 3 years per admissionYou are admitted for up to three years. Renewals can be filed with USCIS on Form I-129 or by reapplying at the border, and there is no statutory limit on the number of renewals.
Processing Details
Timeline
Same-day adjudication at the border for Canadian citizens; 2–8 weeks for Mexican citizens applying at a consulate. USCIS extensions take 2–4 months, or 15 business days with premium processing.
Government Fees
Government fees are modest compared with other work categories — a border application fee for Canadians, or the consular visa fee for Mexican applicants. USCIS extensions carry the I-129 petition fee. Premium processing, if used, is $2,965. Attorney fees additional.
Key Documents Required
- •Proof of Canadian or Mexican citizenship
- •Employer support letter naming the USMCA profession
- •Degree certificates and transcripts, with a credential evaluation if earned outside North America
- •Professional licence, where the profession requires one
- •Detailed résumé or CV
- •Employment contract or offer letter
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common immigration questions.
Still have questions? Speak directly with an immigration attorney.
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Founder & Immigration Attorney
- •Washington State Bar Association
- •New York State Bar Association
Business Immigration Specialist
- •Licensed Attorney (São Paulo, Brazil)
- •LL.M., Global Business Law
Related Pages
H-1B Visa
Specialty occupation visa for skilled professionals sponsored by a U.S. employer.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
For those with nationally or internationally recognized achievement — no lottery.
L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
Transfer managers and key employees from your global office to the United States.