United States•North America

Open

TN — USMCA / NAFTA Professional

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day

Application Fee

2,666 USD

Stay Duration

3 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information Browse TN Jobs

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

For Canadian and Mexican citizens in designated professional occupations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. No annual cap; no lottery.

The TN is a US nonimmigrant work status for Canadian and Mexican citizens in USMCA-designated professional occupations. No annual cap or lottery; eligible professions include engineers, accountants, nurses, lawyers, scientists, and over 60 other categories in USMCA Appendix 1603.d.1.

Admission is granted for up to 3 years, renewable indefinitely in 3-year increments. Canadians apply at a port of entry; Mexicans need a TN visa from a US consulate. No direct PR pathway — holders must maintain non-immigrant intent. Spouses and children join on TD status with no work authorization.

This visa is ideal for Canadian or Mexican professionals with a prearranged US job offer in a listed USMCA occupation who want a fast, uncapped work pathway without lottery or labor certification.

Fee Breakdown

Nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV)	185 USD
Canadian Border Land Port of Entry Fee	56 USD
I-129 base filing fee (Standard)	1,015 USD
I-129 base filing fee (Small Employer/Nonprofit)	510 USD
Asylum Program Fee (Standard)	600 USD
Asylum Program Fee (Small)	300 USD

Processing Tracks

Consular / Border Application	1 day
USCIS Form I-129	2 months – 5 months

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 years

Eligible Nationalities (2)

Canada

Mexico

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United States

H-1B — Specialty Occupation Worker

Validity3 to 6 years

Processing15 days

View Visa Details

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference — Advanced Degree

United States

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference — Advanced Degree

ValidityIndefinite

Processing547-3650 days

View Visa Details

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference — Skilled Worker/Professional

United States

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference — Skilled Worker/Professional

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1277-4380 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico (permanent residents not eligible)

Profession must be listed on the USMCA professional list (Appendix 1603.d.1)

Must have a prearranged full-time or part-time job offer from a U.S. employer (self-employment prohibited)

Must possess appropriate qualifications — most professions require a bachelor's degree minimum

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay)

DS-160 confirmation page

Fee payment receipt

Employment letter/contract from U.S. employer confirming job offer, responsibilities, length of stay, required qualifications, and pay arrangements

Evidence of meeting education/experience requirements per Appendix 1603.d.1

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Canadian citizens may apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry — no visa required
No annual cap or quota on TN admissions
Renewable indefinitely in 3-year increments
Spouses and unmarried minor children may accompany on TD visas
Valid visa remains valid until expiration even if passport has expired

Worth Knowing

Self-employment is strictly prohibited — must have a prearranged job offer from a U.S. employer
Only available to Canadian and Mexican citizens; permanent residents are not eligible
Profession must appear on the USMCA approved professional list (Appendix 1603.d.1)
Mexican citizens must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; Canadians apply at port of entry
Proof of licensure not required for the visa but may be required by CBP at port of entry
Strictly nonimmigrant — no dual intent; immigrants or those intending to abandon foreign residence are ineligible
Must be on TN professions list

Application Process

Complete Form DS-160 online

Schedule interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Prepare required documentation

Attend visa interview

Await decision (administrative processing may be required)

Application Forms

DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker	Fill online

Verified Claims (25)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps	Complete Form DS-160 online; Schedule interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; Prepare required doc…	travel.state.gov
Dependent Visa	TD (no work authorization)	uscis.gov
Fee Breakdown	Nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV): 185 USD; Canadian Border Land Port of Entry Fee: 56 USD; I-…	uscis.gov
Fees	Form I-129 base filing fee ($1,015 standard / $510 small employer/nonprofit) + Asylum Program Fee ($…	uscis.gov
Forms	DS-160	travel.state.gov
Forms · DS-160 · description	Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	travel.state.gov
Forms · I-129 · description	Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker	uscis.gov
Forms · I-129 · name	I-129	uscis.gov

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Overview

For Canadian and Mexican citizens in designated professional occupations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. No annual cap; no lottery.

This visa is ideal for Canadian or Mexican professionals with a prearranged US job offer in a listed USMCA occupation who want a fast, uncapped work pathway without lottery or labor certification.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico (permanent residents not eligible)

Profession must be listed on the USMCA professional list (Appendix 1603.d.1)

Must have a prearranged full-time or part-time job offer from a U.S. employer (self-employment prohibited)

Must possess appropriate qualifications — most professions require a bachelor's degree minimum

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay)

DS-160 confirmation page

Fee payment receipt

Employment letter/contract from U.S. employer confirming job offer, responsibilities, length of stay, required qualifications, and pay arrangements

Evidence of meeting education/experience requirements per Appendix 1603.d.1

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Canadian citizens may apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry — no visa required
No annual cap or quota on TN admissions
Renewable indefinitely in 3-year increments
Spouses and unmarried minor children may accompany on TD visas
Valid visa remains valid until expiration even if passport has expired

Worth Knowing

Self-employment is strictly prohibited — must have a prearranged job offer from a U.S. employer
Only available to Canadian and Mexican citizens; permanent residents are not eligible
Profession must appear on the USMCA approved professional list (Appendix 1603.d.1)
Mexican citizens must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; Canadians apply at port of entry
Proof of licensure not required for the visa but may be required by CBP at port of entry
Strictly nonimmigrant — no dual intent; immigrants or those intending to abandon foreign residence are ineligible
Must be on TN professions list