TN Visa (USMCA): Application for Canadians and Mexicans
Guide to the TN nonimmigrant visa under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), covering eligible professions, the port of entry application process for Canadians, consular processing for Mexicans, required documents, and renewal procedures.
Verify your profession is on the USMCA TN professions list
There are approximately 63 eligible professions listed in USMCA Appendix 16-A.4, including accountants, engineers, scientists, pharmacists, management consultants, and computer systems analysts. The job title doesn't need to match exactly, but your duties must align with a listed profession.
Review the full USMCA TN professions list at the CBP website
Confirm your specific job duties fall within a listed profession's scope
Confirm you meet the education or credential requirements
Most TN professions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field. Some professions (like management consultant) accept equivalent professional experience. A few (like registered nurse, pharmacist) require a specific license. Review the minimum requirements column for your profession.
Obtain an offer of prearranged employment from a U.S. employer
TN requires a specific U.S. employer offering a specific position. Self-employment is not permitted. The offer can be full-time or part-time but must describe duties that match a USMCA-listed profession. You can hold TN status with multiple employers simultaneously (each requires a separate application).
Prepare Required Documents
Get an employer support letter on company letterhead
The letter must state: your job title, a detailed description of duties, the anticipated length of stay (up to 3 years), your educational qualifications, and your salary or compensation. It should explain how the position qualifies under a specific USMCA profession.
Gather proof of your credentials
Bring original degree(s) and transcripts, professional licenses, or documentation of relevant work experience. For foreign degrees, a credential evaluation from an accredited agency (WES, ECE, or similar) confirming the U.S. equivalency is strongly recommended.
Obtain original diplomas and official transcripts
Get a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S. or Canada
Prepare proof of Canadian or Mexican citizenship
Canadians: bring a valid Canadian passport. Mexicans: bring a valid Mexican passport and a TN visa stamp (obtained through consular processing). Permanent residents of Canada or Mexico do not qualify — TN is based on citizenship, not residency.
Have the $50 TN application fee ready
The I-94 fee for Canadian TN applicants at the port of entry is $50, payable by credit card, debit card, or money order. Mexican applicants pay the standard MRV visa application fee of $185 at the consulate, plus the $50 I-94 fee upon entry.
Canadian Applicants: Port of Entry Process
Apply directly at a U.S. port of entry, preclearance, or airport
Canadians do not need to visit a consulate or file a petition with USCIS in advance. Bring all documents to a U.S. port of entry (land border crossing or airport with preclearance). The CBP officer adjudicates the TN application on the spot.
Present your documents to the CBP officer
Hand over your passport, employer support letter, degree documents, and credential evaluations. The officer may ask questions about your duties, qualifications, and employer. Be prepared to explain how your role matches the USMCA profession list. The interview takes 15-30 minutes.
Receive your I-94 admission record with TN classification
If approved, you receive a paper I-94 or electronic I-94 showing TN status, valid for up to 3 years. Verify your electronic I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov within a few days to confirm the dates and classification are correct.
Mexican Applicants: Consular Processing
Schedule a visa interview at a U.S. consulate in Mexico
Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa stamp before traveling to the U.S. Schedule an appointment at a U.S. consulate or embassy in Mexico via ustraveldocs.com. Current wait times at Ciudad Juarez are typically 2-6 weeks; Mexico City can be longer.
Complete the DS-160 online visa application
Fill out the DS-160 at ceac.state.gov. Select "TN" as the visa type. The form takes about 60-90 minutes. Upload a digital photo meeting State Department specifications (2x2 inches, white background). Save the confirmation barcode page.
Pay the MRV application fee and attend the interview
The Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is $185. Pay online or at a designated bank branch. At the interview, present your passport, DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt, employer letter, and credential documents. Decisions are typically made the same day.
Pick up your passport with the TN visa stamp
If approved, the consulate retains your passport for 2-5 business days for visa printing. Pick it up at the designated DHL location or have it delivered. The TN visa stamp is typically valid for up to 3 years with multiple entries.
Renewal and Status Maintenance
Renew TN status before your I-94 expires
TN status can be renewed indefinitely in 3-year increments. You can renew at the port of entry (Canadians), at a consulate (Mexicans), or by having your employer file Form I-129 with USCIS ($460 filing fee). File or apply at least 30-60 days before expiration.
Report any changes in employment to USCIS
If you change employers, you need a new TN application or petition — you cannot transfer TN status between employers. If your job duties change significantly within the same employer, a new application may also be required to reflect the updated role.
Understand the limitations of TN status
TN is a nonimmigrant status — it requires intent to return to your home country at the end of your stay. Filing for a green card while on TN can create issues with dual intent, unlike H-1B. If you plan to pursue permanent residency, consult an immigration attorney about timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What professions qualify for the TN visa?
The TN visa is limited to a specific list of 63 professions in the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) treaty, including accountants, engineers, scientists, teachers, pharmacists, management consultants, graphic designers, and computer systems analysts. Each profession has specific educational or credential requirements listed in the treaty appendix. Professions not on the list do not qualify, regardless of the applicant's qualifications. The full list is published in Chapter 16, Appendix 2 of the USMCA.
How do Canadians apply for a TN visa differently from Mexicans?
Canadian citizens can apply directly at the US port of entry (land border, airport, or pre-clearance facility) without a prior petition or visa stamp. They present their documents to a CBP officer and receive TN status on the spot. Mexican citizens must first obtain a TN visa stamp at a US embassy or consulate before traveling, which requires scheduling an appointment and submitting Form DS-160. This difference reflects the distinct processing agreements between the US and each country.
How long is a TN visa valid for?
TN status is granted for up to 3 years per admission (increased from 1 year in 2024 under updated regulations). Extensions can be filed in 3-year increments with no maximum limit on total time spent in TN status. However, the TN is classified as a nonimmigrant visa, meaning holders must maintain the intent to return to their home country. Prolonged stays without evidence of ties to Canada or Mexico may raise questions at future renewals or border crossings.
Can TN visa holders apply for a green card?
While there is no legal prohibition, applying for a green card while on TN status creates a complicated situation because the TN requires nonimmigrant intent (intent to return home), while a green card application demonstrates immigrant intent. Many TN holders transition to H-1B status first, which allows dual intent, before pursuing a green card. Consult an immigration attorney to plan the transition carefully, as missteps can result in TN renewal denials or entry refusals.