TN Visa Guide: Requirements, Costs, Professions, and How to Apply

The TN visa is one of the fastest ways for Canadian and Mexican professionals to start working in the United States. There's no lottery, no annual cap, and Canadians can be approved same-day at the border. But the process differs depending on your nationality, and recent policy changes have tightened eligibility for several professions.

This guide walks through everything from whether your job qualifies, to what the process looks like, to what it costs - plus how to handle the green card question down the line.

What is the TN visa?

The TN visa is a U.S. work visa exclusively for Canadian and Mexican citizens, allowing qualified professionals to work temporarily in the United States in one of 63 approved occupations. The TN visa has no annual cap, no lottery, and no employer petition required for Canadians applying at the border.

TN status is granted in three-year increments and can be renewed indefinitely. Canadians can be approved same-day at a U.S. port of entry for as little as $56 in government fees. Mexican citizens apply through a U.S. consulate, with processing typically taking 1–4 weeks.

According to USCIS adjudication data for Q2-Q3 of FY2025, over 9,040 TN petitions were adjudicated within the U.S., with an approval rate of 94.6%.

Unlike the H-1B visa, which is subject to an annual lottery and a cap of 85,000 new visas per year, there is no limit on TN visas issued. The TN visa also doesn't require a Labor Condition Application (LCA), removing weeks of processing time compared to a H-1B petition.

TN visa vs H1B visa

The TN and H-1B are the two most common work visas for professionals entering the U.S., but they differ significantly in cost, processing time, and eligibility. The table below summarizes the key differences.

For Canadian and Mexican professionals who qualify for a TN profession, the TN visa is almost always faster and cheaper than the H-1B. The main advantage of the H-1B is dual intent, which makes it easier to pursue a green card without jeopardizing your work status. Many TN holders eventually transition to H-1B specifically for this reason.

TN visa requirements

To qualify for the TN visa, you must meet three core requirements: Canadian or Mexican citizenship (not permanent residency), a job offer in a USMCA-listed profession, and the qualifications specified for that profession.

TN visa requirements for Canadians

Canadian citizens applying at a U.S. port of entry or pre-clearance station must present:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship (valid Canadian passport)
• A detailed employer support letter on company letterhead specifying the TN profession, job duties, qualifications required, salary, and the temporary nature of the position
• Evidence of qualifications (degree certificates, transcripts, professional licenses, credential evaluations if applicable)

No advance visa or USCIS petition is required. Canadian citizens present their documentation directly to a CBP officer at a designated U.S. port of entry or a pre-clearance/preflight inspection station located within Canada.

TN visa requirements for Mexicans

Mexican citizens must complete an additional step: obtaining a TN visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate before entering the United States. In addition to meeting the core requirements, Mexican applicants must:

• Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
• Schedule and attend an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico
• Present a valid Mexican passport, employer support letter, and professional credentials
• Pay the $185 MRV visa application fee plus any applicable reciprocity fees

Employer support letter requirements

The employer support letter is the single most important document in a TN application. A weak or vague letter is the most common cause of TN denials. The letter must include:

• The specific TN profession from the USMCA list that the position falls under
• A detailed description of the job duties and how they align with the listed profession
• The qualifications required for the role (degree field, years of experience, licenses)
• The proposed salary or compensation
• The anticipated duration of employment (up to three years)
• A statement confirming the temporary nature of the position

The letter should be on company letterhead, signed by an authorized representative of the employer, and addressed to the appropriate authority (CBP for Canadians, the U.S. consulate for Mexicans, or USCIS if filing Form I-129).

TN visa professions list

The TN visa professions list contains 63 designated occupations approved under the USMCA. The list has not changed since NAFTA took effect in 1994, though USCIS has updated its interpretation of several categories over time, most recently in June 2025.

TN visa categories and professions

Key 2025 restrictions to be aware of for the TN visa

The June 2025 USCIS policy manual update tightened the interpretation of several profession categories:

• Computer Systems Analyst does not include programmers, although some incidental programming activities may be performed as part of the role.
• Economist does not include market research analysts, marketing specialists, or financial analysts.
• Scientific Technician/Technologist must work in direct support of a supervisory professional in one of 10 recognized scientific disciplines and cannot perform patient care.
• Physician may only engage in patient care that is incidental to teaching or research.
• Management Consultant requires that the professional provide advice based on specialized expertise, not perform ongoing operational management functions.

These distinctions matter. USCIS and CBP officers are now applying these definitions more strictly, and applications that do not clearly demonstrate alignment between the job duties and the listed profession face a higher risk of denial.

How to apply for the TN visa

TN visa process for Canadians

1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer in a USMCA-listed profession and obtain a detailed employer support letter.
2. Gather documentation including your Canadian passport, the support letter, degree certificates, transcripts, credential evaluations (if applicable), and any required professional licenses.
3. Travel to a U.S. port of entry or a CBP preclearance/preflight station located in Canada.
4. Present your documents to a CBP officer and be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications, the position, and the temporary nature of your stay.
5. Receive a decision. In most cases, the CBP officer will review your materials and make a decision on the spot. Approved applicants receive TN status and an I-94 record confirming admission for up to three years.

Canadian TN applicants do not need to file Form I-129 or schedule a consular appointment for initial applications. The entire process can take as little as 15-30 minutes at the border. However, denials do happen at the border, and there is no formal appeal process for CBP decisions. If denied, you can reapply at a different time with stronger documentation.

TN visa process for Mexicans

1. Secure a job offer and obtain the same detailed employer support letter.
2. Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application at ceac.state.gov.
3. Pay the $185 MRV visa application fee plus any applicable reciprocity fees ($79 for 12-month validity or $357 for 48-month validity).
4. Schedule a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico. Interview wait times vary by location and season.
5. Attend the interview. Present your passport, DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt, employer support letter, and professional credentials. Be prepared to discuss your job duties, qualifications, and intent to return to Mexico.
6. Receive your visa. If approved, the consulate will return your passport with a TN visa stamp. You can then enter the U.S. through any port of entry.

Applying from inside the U.S. (Form I-129)

If you are already in the United States in a different nonimmigrant status (such as F-1, H-1B, or B-1/B-2), your employer can file Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) with USCIS to change your status to TN. This route is also used for TN extensions and changes of employer when the applicant does not want to leave the country.

TN visa processing time

TN visa processing time varies significantly depending on the application method.

Check current USCIS processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. Select Form I-129 and your applicable service center.

TN visa cost

Government fees for TN status vary by nationality and application method. Below is the complete fee structure as of February 2026.

Fees last verified: February 2026. See USCIS G-1055 for the current fee schedule.

For Canadians applying at the border, total government cost is $56. For Mexicans applying at a consulate, total cost is approximately $264-$542 depending on the reciprocity fee.

For USCIS-filed petitions, costs start at approximately $1,515 for regular employers (base fee + Asylum Program Fee) and can exceed $4,000 with premium processing and the fraud fee.

TN visa duration and renewals

TN status is granted in increments of up to three years. There is no maximum total duration for TN status - you can renew indefinitely in three-year increments, as long as you continue to meet the requirements and maintain nonimmigrant intent.

How to renew the TN visa

• Canadians: Can renew at a U.S. port of entry by presenting a new or updated employer support letter confirming continued employment. Same-day processing applies.
• Mexicans: Must schedule a new consular interview for each renewal. As of October 2025, in-person interviews are required for all renewals.
• From inside the U.S.: Your employer can file Form I-129 for an extension before your current TN status expires. If the extension is filed before expiration, you may continue working while it is pending.

Automatic revalidation

If you travel briefly to Canada or Mexico (generally under 30 days) and your I-94 has not expired, you may re-enter the U.S. without a new visa stamp under the automatic revalidation provision. This applies to both Canadian and Mexican TN holders. However, automatic revalidation does not apply if you travel to any country other than Canada or Mexico, or if your visa or petition has been denied or revoked since your last admission.

TN visa grace period

If your TN employment ends - whether through termination, layoff, resignation, or the end of your authorized stay - you have a 60-day grace period (or until the end of your authorized validity period, whichever is shorter) to take one of the following actions:

• Find a new TN-qualifying employer and apply for new TN status
• Change to another nonimmigrant status (such as B-1/B-2 visitor status)
• Depart the United States

The 60-day grace period can only be used once per authorized validity period.

Dependents: TD visa

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you to the United States in TD (Trade Dependent) status. TD status does not require a separate employer sponsor.

• Canadians: TD dependents can apply at the port of entry alongside the TN applicant by presenting proof of Canadian citizenship and proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates).
• Mexicans and non-Canadian dependents: Must apply for a TD visa at a U.S. consulate.

TD dependents can study full-time in the U.S. without restrictions. However, TD status does not provide work authorization. Spouses who wish to work must obtain their own qualifying visa, such as their own TN status (if eligible), a H-1B, or another work-authorized classification.

Changing employers on TN status

TN status is employer-specific. You cannot simply switch to a new employer on your existing TN status. If you change jobs, you must obtain new TN authorization for the new position before beginning work.

• Canadians: Can apply for new TN status at a U.S. port of entry with a support letter from the new employer. Same-day processing applies. You must stop working for the old employer before or on the day you receive new TN status.
• Mexicans: Can apply for a new TN visa stamp at a U.S. consulate, or the new employer can file Form I-129 with USCIS from inside the U.S.
• From inside the U.S.: The new employer files Form I-129. Unlike H-1B portability, you generally cannot begin working for the new TN employer until the I-129 is approved (unless you are a Canadian citizen who can simply go to the border).

TN visa to green card

The TN visa is not a dual-intent visa. This means that holders are expected to maintain the intent to return to their home country when their TN status ends. Pursuing permanent residence while on TN status is possible, but it requires careful planning to avoid jeopardizing your TN renewals or re-entry.

Common pathways from TN to green card

EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW). This is a self-petition category that does not require employer sponsorship or PERM labor certification. If your work serves the U.S. national interest, you can file Form I-140 yourself. This is increasingly popular among TN holders because it does not create the same employer-dependency issues that PERM-based green cards do.

Employer-sponsored PERM (EB-2 or EB-3). Your employer files a PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor, followed by an I-140 petition. This is the traditional employer-sponsored green card route. The challenge for TN holders is that filing a PERM or I-140 can signal immigrant intent, which could create issues at TN renewal or border crossing. Many practitioners recommend maintaining valid TN status throughout the process and avoiding international travel while the green card case is pending, or switching to H-1B status (which allows dual intent) before beginning the green card process.

Marriage to a U.S. citizen. If you marry a U.S. citizen, you can apply for adjustment of status (Form I-485) without the immigrant intent issues that affect employment-based green card applications.

EB-1A / EB-1B. For individuals with extraordinary ability or who qualify as outstanding professors and researchers. No PERM required, and EB-1 priority dates are generally more current than EB-2 or EB-3. Check the Visa Bulletin for current wait times.
O-1 Visa. For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. The O-1 visa is often easier to obtain than EB-1A because USCIS applies the evidence criteria more flexibly. Many TN holders use the O-1 as a stepping stone: the O-1 builds a documented record of extraordinary ability, which strengthens a later EB-1A green card petition. Unlike the TN visa, the O-1 allows dual intent, so you can pursue permanent residence without jeopardizing your status. There is no annual cap or lottery.

Find TN visa jobs

Looking for U.S. employers that hire TN visa professionals? The right employer makes all the difference. Not every company is familiar with the TN process, and having an employer that understands the support letter requirements and USMCA profession categories significantly improves your chances of approval.

Migrate Mate connects Canadian and Mexican professionals with U.S. employers that have a track record of hiring international workers. Filter by visa type, profession, and location to find roles that match your TN qualifications.

Frequently asked questions