TN Visa for Canadians and Mexicans 2026: USMCA Professions List, Fees and Border Process
TN visa guide for Canadian and Mexican citizens: the USMCA professions list, degree rules, border and consulate process, fees, renewals and refusal reasons.
A Canadian engineer with a job offer from a company in Seattle can drive to the border on Monday morning and, if the paperwork is right, start work that week. No lottery, no labor certification, no cap. That is the TN, the work status created by the North American trade agreement and kept under the USMCA.
Mexican citizens get the same professions list but go through a US consulate first. Either way, TN status lasts up to three years at a time and can be renewed with no fixed limit.
The catch: the TN is only for citizens of Canada and Mexico, only for listed professions, and only for people who don't plan to stay permanently. This guide covers who qualifies, the professions that cause the most refusals, the process and fees for each country, and what the 2026 USMCA review means.
In this guide
TN Visa at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | Canadian and Mexican citizens with a US job offer in a USMCA-listed profession |
| Not eligible | Permanent residents of Canada or Mexico who are not citizens |
| Fees | Canadians: $50 CBP fee plus I-94 fee at the border; Mexicans: $185 visa fee |
| Processing | Canadians: same day at the border; Mexicans: depends on consulate wait times |
| Duration | Up to 3 years per admission, renewable without a set limit |
| Family | Spouse and children under 21 get TD status; TD spouses cannot work |
| Path to PR | No direct route; needs a switch to H-1B or careful green card timing |
| Official sources | USCIS, CBP, US embassies in Mexico |
Who Qualifies for TN Status
You need all four of these:
- Citizenship of Canada or Mexico. Permanent residence is not enough. A naturalized Canadian citizen born in Nigeria, India or Jamaica qualifies just like a Canadian-born citizen.
- A profession on the USMCA list (Appendix 2 to Chapter 16, inherited from the old NAFTA list).
- A prearranged job with a US employer, full time or part time. You cannot be self-employed in the US on a TN.
- The required qualifications, usually a bachelor's degree in a related field, or a license in some professions.
The job itself must require someone in that profession. An "engineer" job that is really sales, or a "management consultant" role that is really an ongoing staff position, will fail.
The USMCA Professions List
The list has around 60 professions. Here are the ones TN applicants use most, with the minimum requirement and a rough idea of US pay.
| Profession | Minimum requirement | Rough US median pay (BLS, USD per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer | Bachelor's or licenciatura degree, or provincial/state license | About $95,000 to $105,000 depending on field |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Bachelor's degree, or post-secondary diploma plus 3 years' experience | About $100,000 to $105,000 |
| Accountant | Bachelor's degree or CPA, CA, CGA, CMA (now CPA in Canada) | About $80,000 to $85,000 |
| Management Consultant | Bachelor's degree, or 5 years' experience in a related field | About $95,000 to $105,000 |
| Registered Nurse | Provincial or state license, or licenciatura degree | About $90,000 to $95,000 |
| Scientific Technician/Technologist | Theoretical knowledge in a field, working with a listed scientist | Varies widely |
| Pharmacist | Bachelor's degree or license | About $135,000 to $140,000 |
| Medical Laboratory Technologist | Bachelor's degree, or diploma plus 3 years' experience | About $60,000 to $65,000 |
| Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist | Bachelor's degree or license | About $100,000 |
| University teacher | Bachelor's degree | Varies by field and school |
Pay figures are rounded from recent BLS national medians and vary a lot by city. Your offer should be in line with the local market for the role.
Other listed professions include economist, graphic designer, hotel manager, industrial designer, lawyer, librarian, mathematician and statistician, social worker, urban planner, dietitian and several medical and science roles. Physicians can only use TN for teaching or research, not for direct patient care.
How Canadians Apply
Canadians don't need a visa stamp. You apply directly to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a land port of entry or at US preclearance in a major Canadian airport.
- Get a detailed support letter from your US employer. It should name the TN profession, describe duties, give the start date and length of stay, state the salary, and list your qualifications.
- Collect your documents (see the checklist below).
- Present yourself to CBP and say you are applying for TN status.
- Answer questions about the job and your qualifications.
- Pay the fees if approved: the $50 TN fee, plus an I-94 fee at land crossings.
- Receive your electronic I-94, valid for up to three years. Check it online for errors before you start work.
Alternatively, your employer can file Form I-129 with USCIS first. That costs more but gives you an approval notice before you travel, which some people prefer if their case is unusual.
How Mexicans Apply
Mexican citizens must get a TN visa at a US embassy or consulate.
- Get the employer support letter and documents.
- Complete Form DS-160 and pay the $185 visa fee.
- Book and attend the interview at a US consulate in Mexico.
- Collect your passport with the TN visa.
- Apply for admission at a port of entry, where CBP issues your I-94.
Consular wait times vary by city and season. A new $250 visa integrity fee, created by a 2025 law, is being phased in for many nonimmigrant visas. Check the embassy's site for what applies on your date.
Costs and Fees
| Fee | Amount (USD, as of 2026) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| CBP TN fee (Canadians at the border) | $50 | Applicant or employer |
| I-94 fee at land crossings | $30 total since September 2025 | Applicant |
| Visa application fee (Mexicans) | $185 | Applicant |
| Visa integrity fee | $250 where collected | Applicant |
| Form I-129 (optional for Canadians, used for extensions) | $1,015 paper or $965 online; $510 for small employers and nonprofits | Employer |
| Asylum Program Fee with I-129 | $600; $300 small employers; $0 nonprofits | Employer |
| Premium processing for I-129 | $2,965 | Employer, optional |
| Credential evaluation for foreign degrees | Often $100 to $300 | Applicant |
Documents checklist
- Passport proving Canadian or Mexican citizenship
- Employer support letter on company letterhead
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the US, Canada or Mexico
- Professional license if your profession requires one
- Resume and reference letters showing relevant experience
- Proof of ties outside the US, especially if you have had green card steps in the past
Duration, Renewals and Family
TN admissions last up to three years. You can renew by having your employer file Form I-129 inside the US, or by leaving and re-applying at the border or consulate. There is no maximum number of renewals, but each one is judged on whether your stay is still temporary.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can join you in TD status. They don't need to be Canadian or Mexican citizens. TD family members can study but cannot work. That is a real cost for dual-career couples, and some families switch to H-1B or L-1 partly so a spouse can work.
You can change employers, but the new employer needs a fresh TN application. You can also hold TN status with more than one employer, with separate approvals for each.
The Immigrant Intent Problem
The TN is a nonimmigrant status. You must show you intend to stay temporarily. That creates friction once you want a green card.
- Starting a PERM labor certification or filing an I-140 does not automatically end TN status, but it can lead to refusal at the next border crossing or renewal.
- Filing Form I-485 to adjust status is a clear sign of immigrant intent. People usually avoid international travel on TN while it is pending.
- Many TN workers switch to H-1B, which allows dual intent, before starting the green card process.
Our guide to the H-1B lottery explains that route, and the L-1 intracompany transfer guide covers an option for people who already work for a multinational.
Common Refusal Reasons
- Duties don't match the profession. A "management consultant" who is actually a long-term employee, or a "computer systems analyst" who only codes.
- Missing or mismatched degree. An engineering title with a degree in business, for example.
- No credential evaluation for degrees earned outside North America.
- Self-employment. Owning or running the US company that "hires" you.
- Staffing arrangements where the real worksite and employer are unclear.
- Signs of immigrant intent, such as a pending green card application.
The 2026 USMCA Review
The USMCA includes a joint review every six years. At the review on July 1, 2026, the US did not agree to extend the agreement for a further 16 years. The deal remains in force, and the parties move to further reviews. As of October 2026, TN rules and the professions list are unchanged. Practitioners report more detailed questioning at consulates and borders, so prepare a strong file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a permanent resident of Canada get a TN visa?
No. TN is only for citizens of Canada and Mexico. Canadian permanent residents need another route, such as H-1B, L-1 or O-1.
How long does a TN take for Canadians?
Usually the same day at the border or airport preclearance, assuming your documents are in order. If CBP has doubts, you may be refused on the spot and need to return with better evidence.
Can I apply for a green card while on TN status?
Yes, but carefully. Green card steps show immigrant intent, which can cause problems at TN renewal or border entry. Many people switch to H-1B first or time their filings with legal advice.
Can my spouse work on a TD visa?
No. TD spouses can study but cannot work in the US. If they want to work, they need their own work status.
Is software developer on the TN list?
Not by that title. Developers often qualify as Computer Systems Analyst or Engineer if the job duties and their degree truly match. Officers look closely at these cases.
Will the USMCA review end TN visas?
Not for now. The agreement remains in force after the July 2026 review, and the TN category continues. Watch official announcements for any change.
Before You Apply
- Check your job against the official professions list and make sure your degree matches.
- Ask your employer for a detailed support letter that uses the exact USMCA profession title.
- Read the official USCIS TN page and CBP's guidance for Canadian and Mexican citizens.
- Plan your green card strategy before you file any immigrant petition.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Fees, quotas and requirements change often, so confirm every detail on the official government website before you apply or pay anyone. See our editorial policy.
