What Is the TN Visa and Who Qualifies?
TN status lets citizens of Canada and Mexico work in the US in professions on the USMCA list. You need a prearranged job with a US employer, plus the degree or license that profession requires. It is granted for up to three years at a time, with no limit on renewals.
Every job is from an employer that filed H1Bs in 2025. See which ones fit your resume.
Who qualifies
USCIS lists the basics. You are a Canadian or Mexican citizen. The job is in a USMCA profession and actually needs that professional. You have a prearranged full-time or part-time job. You have the qualifications the profession requires.
Permanent residents of Canada or Mexico who are not citizens do not qualify. Self-employment is not allowed. See the full list in TN professions.
Canadians: apply at the border
Canadians do not need a visa. You can apply at a US port of entry or a preclearance station at a Canadian airport.
Bring proof of citizenship, a letter from the employer describing the job, and proof of your degree or license, with a credentials evaluation if your degree is from outside the US. The officer decides on the spot.
Your employer can instead file Form I-129 with USCIS first. You then show the approval notice at the border.
| Employer | H-1B filings | Transfers | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.Com Services LLC | 14,047 | 2,382 | $155k |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions US CorpGC frozen | 10,209 | 872 | $110k |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 9,808 | 269 | $143k |
| Google LLC | 7,899 | 844 | $186k |
| Microsoft CorporationGC frozen | 7,840 | 879 | $173k |
| Tata Consultancy Services LimitedGC frozen | 7,287 | 353 | $86k |
Mexicans: get a visa first
Mexican citizens must get a TN visa at a US embassy or consulate in Mexico before entering. The TN visa application fee was set at $185 in 2023.
Since October 1, 2025, most visa applicants need an in-person interview. After the visa is issued, you are admitted at the border.
How long it lasts, and your family
Each admission or extension is for up to three years. USCIS says there is no limit to how many times you can get TN status.
You must still show your stay is temporary, with a reasonable, finite end. That is why green card plans need care. See TN to green card.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get TD status for the same period. They can study but cannot work.
What it costs the employer
TN has no labor condition application, so there is no Labor Department step. When a Canadian applies at the border, there is no USCIS filing fee, though CBP charges small entry fees.
If the employer files Form I-129, the October 16, 2026 USCIS fee schedule lists $1,015 on paper or $965 online ($510 for small employers and nonprofits), plus a $600 Asylum Program Fee ($300 small, $0 nonprofit). Premium processing is $2,965.
Is TN at risk in 2026?
TN comes from the USMCA trade deal. At the first joint review on July 1, 2026, the US declined to extend the agreement. It stays in force, with yearly reviews, and expires on July 1, 2036 unless all three countries extend it.
As of October 2026, there is no announced change to TN eligibility, the profession list or border processing. In June 2025, USCIS did tighten its guidance for some professions, including engineers.
Finding TN employers
No public data lists TN employers, because TN has no labor condition application. As a proxy, use employers that file for other visas: H1B sponsors, H1B jobs by role and E-Verify employers. Our TN job search guide explains how, and changing employers on TN covers job moves.
Not legal advice
This is general information as of October 21, 2026, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm your situation with an immigration attorney.
Questions
Does TN count as visa sponsorship?
Usually yes in practice. The employer must provide a job letter and sometimes file an I-129, though there is no lottery or labor condition application. See [how to answer the sponsorship question](/h1b/ask-about-h1b-sponsorship).
How much does a TN cost the employer?
Often only attorney fees when a Canadian applies at the border. A USCIS filing adds $965 to $1,015, a $600 Asylum Program Fee for most employers, and $2,965 for premium processing.
Can a TN holder live anywhere in the US?
Yes. TN does not limit where you live, but your job must be prearranged and the employer letter should describe where you will work.
Is the TN visa ending?
Not as of October 2026. The US declined to extend the USMCA on July 1, 2026, but the agreement stays in force and no TN change has been announced.
Can my spouse work on TD status?
No. TD spouses and children can study but cannot work unless they get their own work status.
Does the $100,000 H-1B payment apply to TN?
No. The September 2025 proclamation covers new H-1B petitions, and TN is a separate status.
Sources
- USCIS: TN USMCA Professionals
- 8 CFR 214.6: Citizens of Canada or Mexico seeking TN status
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Chapter 4
- U.S. Department of State: Interview Waiver Update, September 18, 2025
- USCIS: Form G-1055 Fee Schedule
- Barnes & Thornburg: State Department increases nonimmigrant visa application fees (2023)
- White & Case: USMCA 2026 Joint Review, United States declines to extend
- Congressional Research Service: USMCA Joint Review (Sept. 29, 2026)
Guides in this topic
Which Jobs Qualify for a TN Visa? The USMCA List
How Do I Change Employers on a TN Visa?
How Do Canadians and Mexicans Find TN Jobs?
TN vs H-1B: Which Should You Choose?
Can You Get a Green Card From TN Status?
