TN Visa for Mexican and Canadian Citizens

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The TN visa was created by NAFTA to facilitate temporary employment in the United States for approved Canadian and Mexican citizens. Citizens of USMCA countries (formerly NAFTA) can temporarily work in the U.S. by holding this visa. While the name of the agreement changed, the TN status requirements and process are the same for Mexican and Canadian citizens. Follow this guide to learn how to gain TN visa status, maintain visa validity, review the NAFTA occupations list, and more.

Schedule a consultation with our experienced immigration attorneys to navigate the TN visa process smoothly. From initial applications to renewals and changes in status, VisaNation is here to assist you.

What is the TN Visa?

The TN visa was put in place by the North American Free Trade Agreement to encourage economic relations and strengthen trade between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It has many benefits, making it an excellent option for many citizens of Canada and Mexico.

TN Visa Benefits

  • A faster and more simplified application process compared to other visa types.
  • Availability for a large range of occupations.
  • There is a list of 63 clearly outlined in our tables found below, and examples include accountant, landscape architect, dentist, pharmacist, engineer, scientist, etc.
  • You can maintain residence in your home country since it is a non-immigrant visa.
  • Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) can also accompany a TN visa holder to the United States.

Recommended read:  TN Visa to Green Card Process. 

There are two types of TN status for which these citizens can apply.

  •  TN-1 is for Canadian professionals
  •  TN-2 is for Mexican professionals.

The applicants need to be qualified under one of the listed professions (found below). Accepted NAFTA Professions must adhere to nonimmigrant classifications. Permanent residents of Canada or Mexico are not eligible for the TN visa.

There is no yearly quota for the visa, which provides all qualified applicants the opportunity to get a visa.

TN Visa Eligibility Criteria

Visa eligibility requirements include:

  • Applicant must be a Citizen of Canada or Mexico
  • Applicant must be qualified under one of the accepted NAFTA professions
  • Evidence that the position in the United States requires a USCMA professional
  • Participant has a prearranged part-time or full-time job with the U.S. employer.
    • Self-employment does not qualify for this visa.
  • You have the qualifications to practice in the profession in question.




TN-1 Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens do not need to get a TN visa from a consulate to enter the United States. Rather, Canadian citizens must show required documentation to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at certain CBP-designated U.S. ports of entry or a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station, including:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship;
  • Letter from your prospective employer detailing items such as the professional capacity in which you will work in the United States, the purpose of your employment, your length of stay, and your educational qualifications; and
  • Credentials evaluation (if applicable), together with any applicable fees.

Alternatively, a prospective TN employer can file on behalf of a Canadian citizen currently outside the United States by filing Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker to USCIS.

If USCIS approves Form I-129, the prospective worker can then apply to CBP for admission to the United States as a TN nonimmigrant by providing the following documentation to a CBP Officer at certain CBP-designated U.S. ports of entry or a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship; and
  • Approval Notice from USCIS for Form I-129.

When applying for admission, you should have in your possession a copy of the Form I-129, and all supporting documentation submitted to USCIS in case officers have any questions about your eligibility.

Dependents who are Canadian Citizens also do not need a visa, but they must show the following documents at a CBP designed port of entry or pre-clearance/pre-flght inspection area:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship;
  • Proof of relationship to the TN nonimmigrant, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate;
  • Photocopies of the TN nonimmigrant’s admission documents; and
  • Proof the TN nonimmigrant is maintaining his or her TN nonimmigrant status.

For dependents who are Mexican Citizens, you must apply for a TD non-immigrant visa at an American embassy/consulate, and for all other non-Canadian citizens, you must check with the Department of State.

Wondering what the difference is with TN Visa vs H-1B for North Americans?  To learn more, book a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys.

 

canada tn visa requirements





Mexican citizens require a TN visa for entry into the United States. The TN-2 visa process is outlined below:

  1. Submit the necessary paperwork along with the DS-160 to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
  2. Attend an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and receive a visa number
  3. Once approved, Mexican citizens can apply for entrance at select CBP-designated U.S. ports or certain pre-clearance stations.

mexico tn visa requirements

 

Our experienced attorneys at VisaNation law firm can help you determine TN eligibility and guide you through the application process.

Contact us

How to Apply for a TN Visa

The application process is rather straightforward compared to other types of employment visas.




1. Apply directly at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry

OR

2. Employer submits the TN application along with Form I-129 to USCIS and then enter through U.S. port of entry once you have received approval





  1. Submit the necessary documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate with Form DS-160
  2. Attend an interview
  3. Once approved they can apply for entrance at select CBP-designated U.S. ports or certain pre-clearance stations

NAFTA Occupation List

One of the most important requirements is that you qualify based on the TN visa professions list. Here is a job list of the 63 TN visa job professions that qualify:




  • Accountant – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A. or C.M.A.

  • Architect – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

  • Computer Systems Analyst – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or PostSecondary Diploma or PostSecondary Certificate, and three years experience

  • Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or three years experience in claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims.

  • Economist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Engineer – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

  • Forester – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

  • Graphic Designer – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or PostSecondary Diploma or PostSecondary Certificate, and three years experience

  • Hotel Manager – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or PostSecondary Diploma or PostSecondary Certificate in hotel/restaurant management, and three years experience in hotel/restaurant management

  • Industrial Designer – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or PostSecondary Diploma or PostSecondary Certificate, and three years experience

  • Land Surveyor – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial/federal license

  • Landscape Architect – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Lawyer (including Notary in the Province of Quebec) – LL.B., J.D., LL.L., B.C.L. or Licenciatura Degree (five years); or membership in a state/provincial bar

  • Librarian – M.L.S. or B.L.S. (for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree was a prerequisite)

  • Management Consultant – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent professional experience as established by statement or professional credential attesting to five years experience as a management consultant, or five years experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement

  • Mathematician (including Statistician) – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Range Manager/Range Conservationalist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution) – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Scientific Technician/Technologist – Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics; and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in any of those disciplines, or the ability to apply principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied research

  • Social Worker – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist) – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Technical Publications Writer – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or PostSecondary Diploma or PostSecondary Certificate, and three years experience

  • Urban Planner (including Geographer) – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Vocational Counsellor – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree





  • Dentist – D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental; or state/provincial license

  • Dietitian – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

  • Medical Laboratory Technologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience

  • Nutritionist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Occupational Therapist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

  • Pharmacist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

  • Physician (teaching or research only) – M.D. or Doctor en Medicina; or state/provincial license

  • Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

  • Psychologist – State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree

  • Recreational Therapist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Registered Nurse – State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree

  • Veterinarian – D.V.M., D.M.V. or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license





  • Agriculturist (including Agronomist) – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Animal Breeder – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Animal Scientist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Apiculturist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Astronomer – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Biochemist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Biologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Chemist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Dairy Scientist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Entomologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Epidemiologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Geneticist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Geologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Geochemist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and the United States) – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Horticulturist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Meteorologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Pharmacologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada) – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Plant Breeder – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Poultry Scientist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Soil Scientist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Zoologist – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree





  • College – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • Seminary – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

  • University – Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

TN Visa Cost

The TN visa varies depending on your citizenship and whether you apply inside or outside the U.S.:

Mexican Citizens Applying From Outside U.S.:

  1. Pay the DS-160 fee: $185
  2. Choose between the visa durations:
    • $79 for 12 months visa
    • $357 for 48 months visa

Canadian Citizens Applying From Outside U.S.:

  • You will need to pay a total of $56 to gain your status at the border or port of entry
  • This covers a $50 application fee and $6 fee for your I-94 arrival/departure card.

For Applicants Already Inside the U.S.

For those already in the U.S. seeking to change their status to TN without needing to leave the country, the sponsoring employer should file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, which costs:

  • $1,015 plus additional fees for normal employers
  • $510 plus additional fees if you are filing as a Small Employer or Nonprofit.

The employer bears the responsibility for paying the I-129 filing fees.

Additional Fees:

  • Asylum Program Fee: $600
    • If you are filing as a Nonprofit: $0
    • If you are filing as a Small Employer: $300
  • Premium processing is an option for an additional $2,805. This will shorten the adjudication process to 15 days, but it does not guarantee any sort of approval on your application.

Learn how VisaNation can help you move from a TN visa to permanent residency. Our attorneys specialize in handling complex immigration cases and can provide the support you need for a successful transition. Get started today.

TN Visa Processing Time

If you apply at a port of entry, your processing time may only take a few hours. However, if you are petitioning by mail, the amount of time it will take to process your petition will depend on the caseload of your USCIS service center. The Vermont Service Center is taking 4.5 months to process I-129s for TN visas. For the most accurate processing time, check the USCIS site.

However, you can opt to pay an additional fee for premium processing, which will expedite your TN petition’s processing time to 15 business days.

While premium processing does shorten your processing time, it does not increase your approval chances. If the USCIS fails to process your petition within that time after you have filed the I-907 premium processing form, USCIS will refund your premium processing fee, and your petition will be processed normally.

Check out this guide on TN Visa to Green Card Process.

Red Flags to Avoid

Let’s see some of how you could jeopardize your visa journey:

  1. Hyper-Focus on TN Visa – While the TN visa is a perfect choice for many Canadians and Mexican citizens, it is not the only viable option. Ensure that you are aware of other immigration pathways into the U.S. before committing to the TN visa.
  2. Starting Too Late – It takes time for your immigration file to process. If you have a job offer, ensure that you allow plenty of time for your immigration to complete – we are talking months and not days. One way to ensure that you can start your new job in the U.S. on time is to hire an experienced attorney.
  3. Intent to Stay – Remember that a TN visa is a nonimmigrant visa, meaning that you are expected not to stay in the U.S. indefinitely. You must be as clear as possible and provide good evidence in your application that you have ties to your home country and that you do not intend to stay in the U.S. after your visa expires.

VisaNation Law Firm’s Experience with TN Visa Cases

The TN-1 and TN-2 are great options for Canadian and Mexican citizens looking to work in the U.S. During our immigration practice, we were an integral part of numerous success stories involving TN visa applications.

In some cases, we were able to guide our clients through better-suited immigration pathways other than TN visas, or in cases where a Mexican or Canadian client did not qualify for the TN visa.

Our experience involves working closely with the client and ensuring that the result they get is the most practical solution to their immigration goal. – Shilpa Malik, Managing Attorney




  • EB-1 Visa: This visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, as well as outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers.
  • EB-2 Visa: This visa is for individuals with an advanced degree (beyond a U.S. bachelor's degree) or who have significant competence in art, business, or science. Must also be approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Foreign Labor Certification Process.
  • H-1B Visa: This visa is for skilled professionals with at least a bachelor's degree in a field such as fields such as computer science, architecture, medicine, dentistry, engineering, accounting, etc. There are many benefits to having this type of visa including the fact that it's dual intent, has a 3-year initial stay which can be extended, permits you to bring spouse/children and more.
  • L-1 Visa: This visa allows multinational companies to transfer executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees to their US offices. This visa has two subcategories- the L-1A for managers and executives, and the L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge.
  • O-1 Visa: In order to qualify for the O-1 nonimmigrant visa, individuals must possess extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or they must have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and have been recognized either nationally or internationally.
  • E-1 Visa: This visa is for treaty traders who are nationals of a country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation and are coming to the U.S. to engage in substantial trade.
  • E-2 Visa: This visa is for investors from countries with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who make a substantial investment in a U.S. business.
  • K-1 Visa: This visa is for foreign fiancés of U.S. citizens, allowing them to enter the U.S. to marry their U.S. citizen fiancé within 90 days of entry.
  • K-3 Visa: This visa allows spouses of U.S. citizens to enter the U.S. while they wait for their immigrant visa petition to be processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions and answers about the TN visa:




No, there is no annual quota for the TN Visa so employers can file the applications at any point during the year. This is one huge advantage of choosing this visa because you don't need to worry about scarcity due to limits.





If you weren't selected in the H-1B lottery and have a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you and you are a Canadian or Mexican citizen, then the TN visa could be a good alternative option for you. It's highly recommended to discuss the pros and cons of each with your immigration attorney. If you need your TN visa adjudicated in a faster time frame, you also have the option to choose premium processing (additional fee).





That is not permitted. You need to be working for a U.S. employer.





No, only citizens of these two countries. Consult your immigration attorney to inquire about additional visa options.





They can stay for up to six months as a visitor and the counting period begins at the point of entry (180 continuous days per year). If a Canadian citizen wishes to stay longer or has a different purpose, they may need to obtain a different visa or permit, such as a work visa or student visa.





Mexicans need to apply for a tourist visa to visit the United States and they can stay for a maximum of six months. Visitors in the United States have the option to request an extension of their authorized stay for an additional six months while they are already inside the country. To be eligible, they must submit their extension applications prior to the expiration of their current authorized stay.





First of all, we should clarify that a TN visa denial and rejection are not the same thing and the course of action is different depending on which one. Discuss this more with your immigration attorney. Common reasons for denial include a support or employment letter that was overwritten, you indicated the wrong NAFTA occupation and/or did not meet the necessary qualifications (training, degrees, experience, etc.) for the position, have a problematic criminal background or you have violated your immigration status in the past, and other reasons.





No, you do not have the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Office. This is the case of nonimmigrant visas that use the I-129 petition.





TN visa holders can engage in part-time or recreational studies while in the U.S., but pursuing a full-time academic program typically requires a different visa, such as an F-1 student visa.





TN visa holders are generally required to work full-time for the U.S. employer who sponsored their visa. Working part-time or as an independent contractor may not comply with the terms of the TN visa.





While TN visa holders can work in the United States, the TN visa itself does not provide a direct path to permanent residency. However, it is possible to pursue permanent residency through other means, such as employment-based sponsorship.





Yes, a TN visa requires a job offer from a U.S. employer in a qualifying profession. You must provide supporting documentation, such as a letter of employment, when applying for the visa.

How VisaNation Law Firm Can Help

All visas, both immigrant and nonimmigrant, represent a significant investment of time and money. The best way to protect that investment and ensure that you are on the optimal track for your TN visa is to hire an expert to guide you and take care of any unforeseen obstacles.

The immigration lawyers at VisaNation have extensive experience helping people like yourself fulfil their dreams in the U.S. through the TN visa. The immigration road is filled with regulations and forms. By letting a VisaNation attorney handle your case, you can rest easy knowing that your case is in the best hands. From filing the initial petition to dealing with RFEs, fees, and extensions, you can focus on your plans in the U.S. instead of the immigration process. To get in touch with an immigration attorney at VisaNation, you can fill out this contact form and schedule your consultation today.

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