TN Visa Documents: 7 Things Officers Check

Two groups of professionals can apply for the TN visa: Canadian and Mexican citizens. How you apply differs, but what officers look for is largely the same.

If you are Canadian, you apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry, where a CBP officer reviews your application and decides on the spot.

If you are Mexican, you first apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate, which means completing the DS-160 form, paying the visa fee, and attending an interview before you travel.

In both cases, the documents you bring carry a lot of weight, and being well prepared is what makes the process feel routine. The seven items below are what officers look at most closely, whether at a consulate or at the border, so you can approach yours knowing your case is complete.

1. Proof of Canadian or Mexican citizenship

The first thing an officer confirms is your citizenship, so start with a valid passport.

The TN visa is open to citizens of Canada and Mexico, and not to permanent residents of either country, so bring a passport that shows your citizenship. Canadian citizens present it to a CBP officer at the border, while Mexican citizens present it at the consulate and then enter with the TN visa placed inside the passport. Either way, your passport is also the basis for the I-94 record of admission you receive when you arrive.

2. A detailed employer support letter

Of everything you bring, your employer's support letter carries the most weight.

Ask your employer to put it on company letterhead and include the TN occupation category you are applying under, a clear description of your duties and how they fit that category, your salary, the company's contact information, your start date, and the length of the role, which can run up to three years.

The more specific the description of the work you will be doing, the smoother your review tends to go. Vague or generic duties are the most common reason applications are refused, so read the letter closely before you travel.

3. Your degree and transcripts

Officers will want to see that your education lines up with the profession you are applying under.

Bring your degree certificate and transcripts. If you earned your degree outside Canada, Mexico, or the U.S., include a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency so the officer can match it to North American standards.

Keep in mind that as of 2026 you need the specific degree tied to your category, since experience can no longer stand in for a missing credential. If you are close but unsure whether your degree qualifies, that is a good thing to confirm before you go.

4. A professional license, if your occupation requires one

Some TN professions call for a license or certification, and if yours is one of them, the officer will ask to see it.

Roles such as registered nurse, engineer, and accountant require the relevant state license or professional credential, so bring proof if your occupation is one of these. It is a common gap to overlook, and without the license even a well-qualified application can be turned away. Gathering it early rather than the night before you apply saves a lot of worry.

5. Job duties that match a USMCA profession

TN eligibility turns on your duties, not your job title, so it helps to frame the role around the work itself.

The USMCA professions list covers about 63 categories, and an officer compares the duties in your support letter against that list, so the role has to map to a named profession. A modern title such as "Data Scientist" can qualify under Computer Systems Analyst or Statistician, depending on the actual work described, so lean on the duties rather than the title when the two do not obviously match.

6. Evidence the role is professional and temporary

Because the TN is a nonimmigrant status, your application should read as a temporary, professional role.

A salary in line with the profession helps, and the position is best described as temporary rather than permanent. TN status calls for nonimmigrant intent, so whether you are at the border or in a consular interview, it is best not to signal that you are planning to move to the U.S. for good.

Learn how to transition from the TN visa to green card, without losing your status.

7. Your fees and an organized document package

Have the fees ready and your documents in order before your interview or your crossing.

If you are Canadian, you pay around $56 in government fees at the border, a $50 TN filing fee plus a $6 I-94 fee, as of July 2026. If you are Mexican, you pay the DS-160 visa application fee, around $185 as of July 2026, plus any applicable reciprocity fee, when you apply at the consulate.

Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with the U.S. Department of State before you go. Bring your full package to your interview or crossing even for a renewal, keep it organized, and give yourself enough time.

Find a U.S. employer that supports your TN

Every strong TN application starts with an employer and a support letter, so the first step is finding a company ready to hire you and put the role in writing.

Migrate Mate lists roles at U.S. employers with a verified history of sponsoring work visas, backed by government disclosure data on their past visa counts and verified direct contact for hiring managers. You can also create a candidate profile so employers looking for international talent can find and reach you directly.

Frequently asked questions