How Do I Change Employers on a TN Visa?
You need a new TN approval for the new employer before you start. You can get it from USCIS through Form I-129, or apply again at the border if you are Canadian, or at a consulate if you are Mexican. Your current TN does not transfer, and you cannot start early.
Every job is from an employer that filed H1Bs in 2025. See which ones fit your resume.
Option 1: A USCIS petition
The new employer files Form I-129 with USCIS. Federal rules say work for a different or additional employer is not allowed until USCIS approves it.
Premium processing costs $2,965 and gets a decision within 15 business days. You can keep working for your current employer while you wait. This route works for both Canadians and Mexicans.
Option 2: Canadians at the border
Canadians can leave the US and apply for a new TN at a port of entry or airport preclearance, with the new employer's letter and your credentials. If approved, you are admitted for the new job that day.
It is fast but all-or-nothing. If the officer refuses, you are outside the US with no status for the new job. Have a backup plan, and ask the employer whether an I-129 is safer for a borderline profession.
| Employer | Transfers | All filings | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.Com Services LLC | 2,382 | 14,047 | $155k |
| Meta Platforms Inc | 1,437 | 5,492 | $204k |
| Compunnel Software Group Inc | 1,041 | 2,276 | $110k |
| Nvidia Corporation | 1,036 | 1,863 | $187k |
| Apple Inc | 916 | 6,539 | $175k |
| Microsoft CorporationGC frozen | 879 | 7,840 | $173k |
Option 3: Mexicans at a consulate
Mexican citizens can apply for a new TN visa at a US consulate in Mexico with the new job letter. Most applicants need an in-person interview, so check wait times before you resign.
How to time your notice
Do not quit until you know your start date is legal. On the USCIS route, wait for the approval. On the border route, line up your travel and documents first.
If your old job ends before the new approval, you may have up to 60 days of grace, or until your I-94 ends if sooner. You cannot work during it.
If you lost your TN job
The 60-day grace period applies to TN workers. You can use it to find a new employer, change status or prepare to leave.
On September 11, 2026, DHS proposed ending the grace period. As of October 21, 2026, it is not final. See the 60-day grace period guide.
Two jobs at the same time
TN allows full-time or part-time work, and you can add a second employer. Each employer needs its own TN approval, through an I-129 or a new application. Freelancing and self-employment are not allowed.
New role with the same employer
If your duties move into a different USMCA profession, or out of the one on your approval, you generally need a new TN for the new role. A raise or title change with the same duties usually does not.
- Get a detailed letter from the new employer: duties, profession, pay, start date and length.
- Pick the route: I-129, border or consulate.
- Bring your degree, credentials evaluation and any license.
- Start only after approval.
- Check the new I-94 for the right dates.
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
Can I transfer my TN to a new employer?
Not exactly. TN has no transfer or portability; the new employer needs a new TN approval for you before you start.
Is it faster to change TN employers at the border?
Often, for Canadians, since the decision is made that day. The risk is a refusal while you are outside the US, so many people use an I-129 for borderline cases.
Can I work two jobs on TN?
Yes, if each employer has its own TN approval for you. Part-time TN work is allowed, but self-employment is not.
How long can I stay after losing a TN job?
Up to 60 days, or until your I-94 ends if sooner. DHS has proposed removing this grace period, but it is not final as of October 21, 2026.
Do I need a new TN if my title changes?
Not if your duties stay in the same profession. If the job moves into a different profession, you generally need a new TN.
Sources
- 8 CFR 214.6: Citizens of Canada or Mexico seeking TN status
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part P, Chapter 5
- USCIS: TN USMCA Professionals
- 8 CFR 214.1: grace period of up to 60 days
- U.S. Department of State: Interview Waiver Update, September 18, 2025
- Federal Register: Adjustment to Premium Processing Fees (Jan. 12, 2026)
