The TN visa is still available in 2026, and its legal base is intact for now. The USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020, and under Article 34.7.1 it terminates 16 years later, on July 1, 2036, unless each party confirms it wants a new 16-year term (USTR notice, 91 FR 63379, Oct. 5, 2026). At the first joint review on July 1, 2026, "the United States did not agree to extend the Agreement for a new 16-year term" (same).
As of October 23, 2026, that means yearly reviews, not an end date for TN. The TN rules themselves have not changed: Canadian and Mexican professionals in listed occupations can still be admitted for up to three years at a time (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Ch. 4).
- At the USMCA joint review on July 1, 2026, the United States did not agree to extend the agreement for a new 16-year term.
- USMCA now has annual joint reviews until all three countries confirm extension or the agreement expires on July 1, 2036.
- USTR opened public comments for the 2027 joint review on October 5, 2026, with a January 12, 2027 deadline.
- TN status is granted in increments of up to three years, with no cumulative limit while the person stays in a TN occupation.
- An engineer qualifies for TN with a baccalaureate or licenciatura degree, or a state or provincial license.
- Canadians apply for TN admission directly at a port of entry or preclearance station; Mexicans need a TN visa first.
- TN applicants must show their stay is temporary, and self-employment does not qualify.
What happened at the USMCA joint review?
The three countries met as the Free Trade Commission on July 1, 2026 for the first joint review required by Article 34.7.2, and the United States declined to extend (91 FR 63379). Under Articles 34.7.4 to 34.7.6, the Commission "will meet to conduct a joint review annually until each of the three Parties confirms its wish to extend" or the agreement expires, whichever comes first (same).
| Item | Status on October 23, 2026 |
|---|---|
| USMCA in force | Yes, since July 1, 2020 |
| Scheduled end date | July 1, 2036, unless all three parties confirm a new 16-year term |
| 2026 joint review | Held July 1, 2026; United States did not agree to extend |
| Next step | Annual joint reviews; USTR comments due January 12, 2027 for the 2027 review |
| TN rules (8 CFR 214.6) | Unchanged |
USTR opened public comments for the 2027 review on October 5, 2026, with written comments due January 12, 2027 (91 FR 63379). The notice lists general topics, such as the operation of the agreement and investment, and does not propose changes to temporary entry for professionals (same). Annual reviews keep the future of the agreement open, so TN holders planning several years ahead should follow each review.
Who qualifies for a TN visa?
Citizens of Canada or Mexico in a listed profession, coming to a prearranged job. The USCIS Policy Manual lists the conditions: Canadian or Mexican citizenship, a profession included in USMCA, a position that requires that professional, the qualifications of the profession, and a prearranged full-time or part-time job for a US employer (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Ch. 2). It adds that "self-employment does not qualify" (same).
The stay must be temporary. The inspecting officer must be satisfied that "the work assignment in the United States ends at a predictable time" and that the person "will depart upon completion of the assignment" (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Ch. 2). That differs from L-1, whose regulation expressly allows a worker to seek permanent residence while in status (8 CFR 214.2(l)(16)), and it shapes how TN workers approach a green card; our guide to the TN and E-2 to green card path covers the options.
What does a TN engineer need?
The regulation's list of professions sets the minimum for each one. For an engineer, the listed requirement is a "Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license" (8 CFR 214.6(c), 2025 edition). Computer Systems Analyst requires a baccalaureate or licenciatura degree, or a post-secondary diploma or certificate plus three years of experience (same).
The job matters as much as the degree. The Policy Manual says "a job title or the employer's categorization of the job does not establish eligibility," and that the applicant must show they will perform the duties of the profession (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Ch. 6). A letter that matches real duties to the listed profession is the core of a TN application.
How does TN admission work at the border?
It depends on citizenship. A Canadian citizen applies for admission directly with a DHS officer at a US Class A port of entry, a US airport handling international traffic, or a preclearance station (8 CFR 214.6(d)(2)). A Mexican citizen must first obtain a TN visa from a US consulate and then present it with a valid passport at entry (8 CFR 214.6(d)(1)).
In both cases, the applicant must present documents sufficient to satisfy the officer that they will engage in business activities at a professional level for a US employer and meet the profession's criteria (8 CFR 214.6(d)(3)). For a Canadian, the decision is made by the officer at the port of entry, so the documents you carry have to make the case there.
Visa applicants also face the State Department's online presence review. Mission India's visa page, for example, lists TN among the categories whose applicants "are instructed to adjust the privacy setting on all social media accounts to 'public'" (U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India, Visas).
How long can you stay, and can you change jobs?
TN status comes in increments of up to three years, and "there is no limit to the number of times" a Canadian or Mexican citizen can be granted TN status, as long as they intend to remain temporarily (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Ch. 4). Extensions and changes of status inside the United States are filed on Form I-129 (same), which costs $1,015 on paper or $965 online, plus the Asylum Program Fee (USCIS, Form G-1055, edition 10/16/26).
A new or additional employer needs its own approval. Work for a different employer "is not authorized until USCIS approves the application," although a Canadian can instead leave and apply for readmission with the new employer's documents (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Ch. 5). A transfer to another location of the same employer for the same work does not require a new filing (same).
Family members use TD status. TD spouses and children "cannot accept employment," but may attend school full time, and they do not need to be Canadian or Mexican themselves (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Ch. 5).
What this means for you
For now, TN works as it did before the review. The change is that USMCA's long-term future is reviewed every year rather than settled for 16 years.
- Carry a detailed employer letter that matches your duties to the listed profession, plus degree or license evidence, every time you seek admission.
- If you are Canadian and changing employers, decide in advance whether to file with USCIS or apply at the border.
- Keep your plans consistent with temporary intent, and talk to an attorney before filing anything toward a green card; our comparison of EB-2 NIW and PERM is a starting point.
- Follow the annual USMCA reviews; USTR's next comment deadline is January 12, 2027.
Where to start
If you want a status that is not tied to annual trade reviews or temporary intent, a self-petitioned green card can be the answer. Our guide to a green card without an employer sponsor explains the self-petition routes, and our free evaluation at /evaluate/ shows whether EB-1A or an NIW is realistic for you, and Frank, our AI assistant at /frank, finds real opportunities for the criteria you are missing. Petitions are reviewed and filed by our partner law firm, Lai & Turner.
Sources
All checked October 23, 2026.
- USTR, Request for Public Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Relating to the Operation of the USMCA, 91 FR 63379 (Oct. 5, 2026). Entry into force; 2036 termination unless extended; July 1, 2026 joint review outcome; annual reviews; January 12, 2027 comment deadline.
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part P, Chapter 2 (current as of October 2, 2026). TN eligibility conditions; self-employment; temporary entry.
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part P, Chapter 4. Three-year increments; no limit on number of grants; Form I-129 for extensions.
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part P, Chapter 5. Changing or adding employers; no cumulative limit; TD dependents.
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part P, Chapter 6. Job title does not establish eligibility.
- 8 CFR 214.2(l)(16) (govinfo, 2025 edition). L-1 dual intent provision, for comparison.
- 8 CFR 214.6 (govinfo, 2025 edition). Engineer and Computer Systems Analyst requirements; Canadian and Mexican admission; documentation.
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India, Visas (checked October 23, 2026). Social media instruction listing TN.
- USCIS, Form G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/16/26). Form I-129 TN fee.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TN visa ending because of the USMCA review?
Not as of October 23, 2026. At the first joint review on July 1, 2026, the United States did not agree to extend USMCA for a new 16-year term. Under Article 34.7, that means annual joint reviews until all three countries confirm extension or the agreement ends on July 1, 2036. USMCA, including its temporary entry chapter that supports TN, remains in force in the meantime.
Can a software or civil engineer get a TN visa?
Engineer is a listed TN profession. The regulation requires a baccalaureate or licenciatura degree, or a state or provincial license. The job must actually be an engineering role, because the Policy Manual says a job title or the employer's label does not establish eligibility. Software roles may fit Computer Systems Analyst instead, which has its own degree and experience requirements.
How long can I stay in the US on TN status?
TN status is granted in increments of up to three years at a time, and the USCIS Policy Manual says there is no cumulative limit on time in TN classification while you remain in a TN occupation. Extensions can be filed with USCIS on Form I-129 or, for Canadians, sought by applying for readmission at the border. Each time, you must still show your stay is temporary.
Can I apply for a green card while on TN?
TN requires temporary entry, meaning you must show the inspecting officer your work ends at a predictable time and you will leave. That makes immigrant intent harder to reconcile with TN than with L-1, whose rules expressly allow seeking permanent residence while in status. Many TN workers plan the timing of a green card filing with their attorney; our guide to the TN to green card path covers the common approaches.
Can my spouse work on a TD visa?
No. The USCIS Policy Manual says a TD spouse or child cannot accept employment while in TD status, though TD dependents may attend school full time. The spouse does not need to be Canadian or Mexican, but must have a valid nonimmigrant visa unless visa-exempt. To work, a spouse needs a status of their own.
Green Card Guide AI is not a law firm and this article is not legal advice. It describes evidence-building strategy in general terms; your attorney determines what belongs in your petition and how it's argued.
