TN visa
TN visa: work in the US as a Canadian or Mexican professional
TN is a work status for citizens of Canada and Mexico in a listed profession, with a US job offer. It comes in 3-year periods with no set total limit.
Last checked October 2026 · Sources
- Who
- Canadian or Mexican citizens
- Each period
- Up to 3 years
- Total limit
- None set
- Legal fee
- Quoted on request
Quick answer
What is a TN visa?
TN is a USMCA work status for Canadian and Mexican citizens. You need a prearranged US job in one of 63 listed professions and the degree or license the list requires. You are admitted for up to 3 years at a time. There is no set limit on total time, but each stay must be temporary.
- Citizenship is required. Permanent residents of Canada or Mexico do not qualify.
- Canadians can apply at the border. Mexicans need a TN visa first.
- No self-employment: you cannot work for a company you solely own or control.
- TN is not dual intent. Plan any green card step with an attorney.
The profession list
Common TN professions and what they need
The full list of 63 professions is in 8 CFR 214.6(c), which reproduces Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of Chapter 16 of the USMCA. Some examples:
| Profession | Minimum to qualify |
|---|---|
| Engineer | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree, or a state or provincial license |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree, or a post-secondary diploma or certificate plus 3 years of experience |
| Management Consultant | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree, or 5 years of experience as a consultant or in a related field |
| Accountant | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree, or C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A. or C.M.A. |
| Mathematician (includes Statistician and Actuary) | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree |
| Graphic, Industrial or Interior Designer | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree, or a post-secondary diploma or certificate plus 3 years of experience |
| Registered Nurse | State or provincial license, or Licenciatura degree |
| Physician | Teaching or research only. M.D. or Doctor en Medicina, or a state or provincial license |
| Scientist (for example Biologist, Chemist, Physicist, Epidemiologist) | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree |
| College, Seminary or University Teacher | Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree |
A degree from outside Canada, Mexico or the US needs a credential evaluation (8 CFR 214.6(d)(3)(ii)).
How to apply
Canadians vs Mexicans: how you get TN
| Step | Canadian citizens | Mexican citizens |
|---|---|---|
| Visa needed? | No TN visa | Yes, a TN visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where you apply | At a US Class A port of entry, a US airport handling international traffic, or a preclearance station. Or your employer files Form I-129 with USCIS. | At a US consulate in Mexico, then you ask for admission at the border or an airport |
| What you bring | Proof of citizenship, an employer letter and your degree or license | A valid passport, the TN visa, an employer letter and your degree or license |
| Fee at entry | A CBP fee is paid on admission | Visa fee at the consulate |
The employer letter must state your profession, duties, how long you will stay, your qualifications and your pay (8 CFR 214.6(d); USCIS TN page).
Keep your status
Extensions, job changes and family
-
Each admission is up to 3 years
Your I-94 shows your end date. TN is multiple entry for that period.
-
Extend before it ends
15 business days with premiumYour employer files Form I-129 while you are in the US, for up to 3 more years. Or you apply again at the border with a new letter. There is no set total limit if you keep doing TN work (8 CFR 214.6(h)).
-
Changing or adding an employer
The new employer files Form I-129, or you apply at the border with the new letter. Do not start the new job before approval.
-
Your family in TD status
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 get TD status for the same period. They can study but cannot work.
-
If the job ends
You may have up to 60 days in a row, or until your stay ends if sooner, to find a new option (8 CFR 214.1(l)(2)).
What it costs
TN fees as of October 2026
Only needed if the employer files with USCIS. From Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 (TN) | $1,015 paper, $965 online | $510 for small employers and nonprofits. |
| Asylum Program Fee | $600 | $300 for small employers. $0 for nonprofits. |
| Premium processing (optional) | $2,965 | USCIS acts within 15 business days. |
| Our legal fee | Quoted on request | Flat fee, set before you sign. Handled by partner-firm attorneys. |
Source: USCIS Form G-1055. CBP and State Department fees are separate and are confirmed by your attorney.
Intent
TN and green cards: the intent problem
TN is for temporary entry. The officer must be satisfied your job will end at a predictable time and that you will leave (8 CFR 214.6(b)). Unlike H-1B and L-1, TN is not listed as a dual intent status in 8 U.S.C. 1184(b) and (h).
That does not ban green cards. Practical guidance: a PERM or I-140 filing can make TN renewals and border entries harder. A partner-firm attorney plans the timing, or a switch to a dual intent status such as H-1B or O-1.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Up to 3 years per admission or extension. There is no set limit on the total time, as long as you keep doing TN work and keep your status.
The list has no software engineer title. Some roles may fit Engineer or Computer Systems Analyst if the duties and your credentials match. The officer or USCIS decides.
No. TN is only for citizens of Canada or Mexico.
No. TN does not allow self-employment. Working for a company where you are the sole or controlling owner counts as self-employment (8 CFR 214.6(b)).
No. TD spouses and children can study but cannot work unless another status allows it.
TN does not allow dual intent, so timing matters. Talk to a partner-firm attorney before any green card filing.
Thinking past TN?
If you want a green card, a partner-firm attorney can map the safest order of steps. You can also check where you stand for O-1A, EB-1A or NIW for free. Not legal advice.
Sources · checked October 2026
- USCIS: TN USMCA Professionals (updated 06/04/2025)
- eCFR: 8 CFR 214.6 USMCA professionals, including the profession list
- eCFR: 8 CFR 214.1(l) Period of stay and 60-day grace period
- 8 U.S.C. 1184(b) and (h) (Cornell LII)
- USCIS Form G-1055 Fee Schedule, edition 10/01/26 (PDF)
- USCIS: How Do I Request Premium Processing? (updated 03/23/2026)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; a partner-firm attorney confirms what applies to you before anything is filed.
