VISA GUIDE

TN

TN Professional Visa

For Canadian and Mexican citizens in a qualifying USMCA profession

The TN visa lets Canadian and Mexican citizens work in the US in one of the professional occupations listed under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) treaty. There's no annual cap and no lottery, but it only covers a fixed list of professions.

TN status is fast to get relative to other work visas — especially for Canadians, who can apply directly at the border — but it's also narrower: only USMCA-listed professions qualify, and it's a non-immigrant category without a formal path to a green card.

ELIGIBILITY

WHO THIS VISA IS FOR

Citizen of Canada or Mexico

A prearranged full-time or part-time job offer in a USMCA Appendix 2 profession

Education or experience matching that profession's minimum requirement

THE PROCESS

STEP BY STEP TIMELINE

  1. 01

    Employer prepares the job offer letter

    Same day–1 week

    States your job duties, pay, and how the role matches a qualifying USMCA profession.

  2. 02

    Mexican citizens apply for a TN visa at a US consulate

    Days–weeks (consulate dependent)

    Canadian citizens skip this step and can apply directly at a port of entry or pre-clearance.

  3. 03

    Present documents to CBP and receive your I-94

    Same day

    Approval and admission typically happen in the same visit for Canadians.

  4. 04

    Renew before expiration

    Ongoing

    TN status is granted in increments of up to 3 years, renewable indefinitely.

See exact fees and timing for this visa →

GOOD TO KNOW

COMMON QUALIFYING USMCA PROFESSIONS

  • Engineer, Scientist, and Architect

  • Accountant and Management Consultant

  • Computer Systems Analyst

  • Registered Nurse and select healthcare professions

  • Not a comprehensive list — the treaty specifies exact degree/licensing requirements per profession

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

DOCUMENTS

Passport

Employer job offer letter

Proof of professional credentials (degree/license)

Resume/CV

Visa fee receipt (Mexican applicants)

Canadian citizens can often get TN status the same day at the border or pre-clearance; Mexican citizens need a consular interview first, adding days to weeks depending on wait times.

FAQ

QUESTIONS PEOPLE ACTUALLY ASK

Frequently
Asked
Questions

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