Overview of TN Nonimmigrant Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens
The TN visa classification allows qualified citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the United States in specific professional occupations, as provided under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)—now succeeded by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These individuals are admitted under TN nonimmigrant status to perform prearranged business activities for U.S. employers in eligible professions.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for TN status, the applicant must:
- Be a citizen of Canada or Mexico;
- Be engaged in a profession listed in the TN Appendix;
- Possess the required minimum educational or professional credentials (typically a bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
- Have a prearranged job offer from a U.S. employer;
- Intend to engage in temporary employment (no dual intent permitted).
Initial Admission and Duration of Stay
- Initial TN status may be granted for up to three years.
- Canadian citizens generally apply at a U.S. port of entry (land, sea, or airport).
- Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa from a U.S. consulate before admission.
- There is no maximum number of extensions, and renewals may also be approved for up to three years at a time.
Nonimmigrant Intent
TN visa holders must demonstrate nonimmigrant intent—i.e., they must intend to return to their home country and not pursue permanent residency at the time of their application or extension. This distinguishes the TN classification from dual-intent categories like H-1B or L-1.
Permissible Work Activities and Limitations
- TN professionals must be performing prearranged business activities for a U.S. employer or entity, including individuals.
- Self-employment is not permitted. A TN applicant cannot establish or work for their own business or render services to an entity where they are the sole or controlling owner/shareholder.
- Employment may be full-time or part-time, provided it aligns with the TN-eligible role.
Dependent Family Members
- Spouses and children of TN workers may accompany them in TD status.
- TD dependents do not need to be citizens of Canada or Mexico.
- Dependents may attend school, but cannot work under TD status.
TN-Eligible Professions
The list of authorized professions includes (but is not limited to):
- Accountant, Architect, Computer Systems Analyst, Economist, Engineer, Graphic Designer, Hotel Manager, Industrial Designer, Interior Designer, Lawyer, Librarian, Management Consultant, Mathematician, Social Worker, Urban Planner, and various scientific, medical, and teaching professionals.
Some positions (e.g., Computer Systems Analyst, Management Consultant, Graphic Designer) allow professional experience to substitute for formal education under specific conditions.
Educational Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is generally required.
- Degrees from accredited U.S. or Canadian institutions are accepted at face value.
- Three-year Canadian degrees are typically acceptable.
- Mexican “licenciatura” degrees are generally equivalent to U.S. bachelor’s degrees.
Foreign degrees from outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico may require an educational credential evaluation.
Educational Credential Evaluations
- Applicants with foreign academic qualifications may include a credential evaluation report with their TN application at the port of entry.
- Reports must be prepared by reputable credential evaluation services and based on official academic records.
- These evaluations help demonstrate that the applicant’s credentials are equivalent to U.S. standards for the specific TN profession.
Licensure Requirements
- Licensure is not required at the time of admission into the U.S. in TN status.
- However, after entry, the TN nonimmigrant must obtain and hold any required professional license (state, provincial, or federal) if the role mandates licensure to legally practice in the jurisdiction.
Last Revision: March 2025.