TN visa: Canada and Mexico professionals

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US federal rules as of October 30, 2026. Sources re-checked against official pages on October 30, 2026. Where a figure could not be confirmed, this page links the official source instead of stating it.

TN status is a temporary US work category for citizens of Canada and Mexico in professions listed in the USMCA. It needs a prearranged job offer and the qualifications the profession requires. There is no lottery. Canadians may apply at the border; Mexicans first get a visa at a US consulate.

Who qualifies?

Citizens of Canada or Mexico with a job offer in a listed profession and the minimum qualifications for it. The list is in 8 CFR 214.6(c).

How do I apply?

  • Canadian citizens: at a US port of entry or pre-clearance station with proof of citizenship, an employer letter and proof of qualifications. An employer can also file Form I-129.
  • Mexican citizens: apply for a TN visa at a US embassy or consulate, then seek admission.

How long does it last?

Up to 3 years per admission. Extensions via Form I-129 or a new border application.

Family

Spouse and unmarried children under 21 may come in TD status. They may study but may not work.

Mistakes to avoid

Job not on the list; showing intent to immigrate permanently (the stay must be temporary).

What are the five eligibility conditions?

USCIS lists these conditions for the TN classification:

  1. You are a citizen of Canada or Mexico.
  2. Your profession is included in the USMCA.
  3. The US position requires a USMCA professional.
  4. You will work in a prearranged full-time or part-time job for a US employer or entity.
  5. You have the qualifications to practice that profession.

What do Canadian citizens bring to the border?

USCIS says a Canadian citizen residing outside the US does not need a TN visa from a consulate. You present documents to a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at certain CBP-designated ports of entry or a designated pre-clearance or pre-flight inspection station:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship.
  • A letter from your prospective employer describing the professional capacity in which you will work, the purpose of the employment, your length of stay and your educational qualifications.
  • A credentials evaluation, if applicable, with any applicable fees.

If the officer finds you eligible, you are admitted as a TN nonimmigrant. A prospective employer may instead file Form I-129 with USCIS for a Canadian citizen outside the US. If USCIS approves it, you then apply to CBP for admission with proof of citizenship and the approval notice. USCIS says premium processing is available for that petition.

What do Mexican citizens do?

USCIS says a Mexican citizen residing outside the US must obtain a visa. You apply for a TN visa at a US embassy or consulate in Mexico, then apply for admission at a CBP-designated port of entry or pre-clearance station. The State Department page "Visas for Canadian and Mexican USMCA Professional Workers" explains the visa step.

How do I extend a TN stay?

The initial period of stay is up to 3 years. To remain beyond it without leaving the US, you must seek an extension of stay, and your employer may file Form I-129. Or you may leave before your status expires and re-apply at a CBP-designated port using the same documents as the first time.

What can my family do?

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be eligible for TD status. USCIS says they are not permitted to work in the US but may study, and TD status lasts no longer than your own. If you apply to extend while in the US, eligible TD family members may apply to extend too. A Mexican TD dependent who travels abroad after the extension and whose TD visa has expired must apply for a new TD visa before returning.

Common mistakes

  • Applying for a job that is not a listed USMCA profession or that does not require a USMCA professional.
  • Arriving at the border with no employer letter or no proof of qualifications.
  • Working for a second employer without a new petition or border application for that job.
  • Describing a plan to stay permanently. The TN is a temporary classification.

FAQ

Can a TN lead to a green card? The TN itself does not, but you may be sponsored separately. See green card overview.

Is there a cap? Not on TN.

Does a Canadian need a visa for TN? USCIS says a Canadian citizen residing outside the US is not required to apply for a TN visa at a consulate. Admission is decided by CBP.

Can my spouse work on TD? No. USCIS says TD spouses and children may study but may not work.

Where is the list of professions? In the USMCA and in 8 CFR 214.6, linked in the sources below. Do not rely on a job title alone; check the profession and the minimum qualification it lists.

Next step: Find roles open to TN.

Sources

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.