The TN Visa for Canadian and Mexican Professionals
Guide
How citizens of Canada and Mexico can work in the U.S. under the free-trade agreement.
Written by Diane Rish, Immigration Lawyer and Deputy Director, Talent Mobility Fund and the International Student Resource
Last updated: July, 2026
Who is the TN category for?
The TN category is for Canadian or Mexican citizens and is based on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (the USMCA).
The USMCA was formerly known as Trade NAFTA and is sometimes still called that. It offers a relatively streamlined path to U.S. employment for people in specific professional occupations.
Which jobs qualify
The USMCA lets a "professional" obtain TN status, but "professional" is limited to certain occupations agreed upon by the three countries as part of the trade agreement. Most of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. Many roles that the average person would call "professional" are on the list. Check the list of eligible professions in the regulations to confirm your occupation qualifies.
Eligibility requirements
Your prospective U.S. job must require a professional as defined in the USMCA. You must be coming to fill a prearranged full-time or part-time position, which is included on the TN list of occupations, with a U.S. employer. Self-employment is not permitted under the USMCA. You must also show you have the appropriate qualifications for the profession, including any education or experience requirements.
How to apply
The process differs by citizenship:
1. Canadian citizens have two options. You can apply directly at a U.S. port of entry by presenting your employer's information about the job and their plans to employ you, and evidence that you hold the required degree and or license; if admitted, you enter in TN status. (By law, Canadians generally do not need a visa stamped in their passport to be admitted.) Alternatively, your employer can file a TN petition with USCIS to change your status to TN from the status you currently hold.
2. Mexican citizens must have an employer file a petition with USCIS. After approval, you obtain a TN visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, then apply for admission at a U.S. port of entry.
How long you can stay on a TN Visa
TN status is granted for an initial period of up to three years, or the length of your employment offer, whichever is shorter. You can extend in additional three-year increments an indefinite number of times.
RELATED RESOURCES
The H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa (a common alternative)