TN Visa Explained: Eligibility, Professions, Costs, and How to Apply in 2025

When people think about moving to the United States for work, the H-1B visa usually comes to mind. But there’s another option that’s faster, simpler, and specifically designed for two groups of people: Canadian and Mexican professionals. This is the TN visa, a little-known yet powerful visa category that can open doors to working and living in the U.S. if you are a professional from the aforementioned countries.

The primary objective of this article is to shed more light on what the TN visa is all about, who it’s for, how it works, and why it’s one of the most convenient work visas available today.

What Is the TN Visa?

The TN (Trade NAFTA/USMCA) visa is a purely non-immigrant U.S. work visa that was created under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which formerly went by the name of NAFTA.

This visa allows qualified professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in the U.S. for American employers in specific fields. Think of it as a streamlined alternative to other U.S. work visas – one that was designed to promote economic cooperation between the three countries.

Unlike other visa types, the TN visa is not capped by annual limits, making it much more accessible.

Who Can Apply for a TN Visa?

To qualify for this visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a citizen of Canada or Mexico. If you are a permanent resident of these countries, you are not eligible. You have to be a citizen.
2. Have a job offer from a U.S. employer in an approved TN profession.
3. Possess the necessary qualifications (such as a bachelor’s degree, license, or diploma).
4. Plan to work in the U.S. temporarily (though renewals are possible).

TN Visa Eligible Professions

There are around 60 approved professions under the USMCA agreement. This list was created to support sectors where Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. already share strong economic ties. Some of the most common include:

• Accountant

• Architect

• Computer Systems Analyst

• Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster (claims arising from a disaster)

• Economist

• Engineer (civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial, etc.)

• Forester

• Graphic Designer

• Hotel Manager

• Industrial Designer

• Interior Designer

• Land Surveyor

• Landscape Architect

• Lawyer (including Notary in the province of Quebec)

• Librarian

• Management Consultant

• Mathematician (including statistician, actuary)

• Range Manager / Range Conservationist

• Research Assistant (in a post-secondary educational institution)

• Scientific Technician / Technologist (in support of natural sciences professionals)

• Social Worker

• Sylviculturist (forest management specialist)

• Technical Publications Writer

• Urban Planner

Medical and Allied Professions

• Dentist

• Dietitian

• Medical Laboratory Technologist

• Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Medical Technologist

• Nutritionist

• Occupational Therapist

• Pharmacist

• Physician (teaching or research only)

• Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist

• Psychologist

• Recreational Therapist

• Registered Nurse

• Veterinarian

Science Professions

• Agriculturist (including agronomist)

• Animal Breeder

• Animal Scientist

• Apiculturist (beekeeping specialist)

• Astronomer

• Biochemist

• Biologist

• Chemist

• Dairy Scientist

• Entomologist

• Epidemiologist

• Geneticist

• Geochemist

• Geologist

• Geophysicist

• Horticulturist

• Meteorologist

• Oceanographer

• Pharmacologist

• Physicist

• Plant Breeder

• Poultry Scientist

• Soil Scientist

• Zoologist

Teaching Professions

• College Teacher

• University Teacher

• Seminary Teacher

How Long Is the TN Visa Valid?

• Initial validity: Up to 3 years.
• Renewals: Can be extended in 3-year increments indefinitely, as long as the employment continues.
• Dependents: Spouse and unmarried children under 21 can join on a TD visa. They can study in the U.S., but they are not allowed to work.

How to Apply for a TN Visa

The process depends on whether you’re Canadian or Mexican.

For Canadians

You don’t need a visa stamp in advance. You can apply directly at a U.S. port of entry (airport or land border). And of course bring documents to show the following:

• Proof of citizenship
• Employer letter with job details
• Academic credentials or licenses
• Proof the profession is TN-eligible

For Mexicans

• Must apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy before traveling.
• Once approved, you can enter the U.S. and begin working.

How Much Does the TN Visa Cost?

The cost of a TN visa depends on your nationality and how you apply. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Applying at a U.S. Port of Entry (for Canadians)

• Canadians do not need to visit a U.S. consulate.
• They apply directly at a U.S. border crossing or airport.
• The application fee is currently $50.
• Additional $6 USD if entering by land for an I-94 arrival/departure card.

2. Applying at a U.S. Consulate (for Mexicans)

• Mexican citizens must first apply at a U.S. consulate in Mexico.
• The fee is currently $185 USD and is non-refundable.
• After approval, they can enter the U.S. with TN status.

3. Extending or Changing TN Status from Inside the U.S.

• If you’re already in the U.S. and want to extend or switch into TN status, your employer files Form I-129.
• In this case the filing fee is $460.
• Premium processing is optional but available for $2,805 USD, which speeds up the decision (usually within 15 days).

Can a TN Visa Lead to a Green Card?

This is where things get a little complicated. You see the TN visa is strictly a non-immigrant visa. What this means is that it’s designed for temporary professional work in the U.S. Unlike the H-1B, it does not have a “dual intent” feature, so it isn’t meant as a direct pathway to permanent residency. In other words, the TN visa by itself won’t take you straight to a green card.

That said, many Canadians and Mexicans who start out on a TN eventually transition to other visa categories if they want to settle in the U.S. For example, some move to an H-1B visa (which allows dual intent) or pursue an employment-based green card if their U.S. employer is willing to sponsor them. Another common route is through family-based petitions if they marry a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

It’s important to remember that because the TN is meant to be temporary, applying directly for a green card while on TN can create conflicts during renewals or re-entries at the border. The safer approach is usually to switch into a visa category that permits dual intent before beginning the green card process.

So, while the TN visa itself does not provide a built-in permanent residency pathway, it can serve as a valuable stepping stone for professionals who want to eventually make the U.S. their long-term home.

TN Visa vs. H-1B Visa

When looking at U.S. work visa options, the TN visa is often compared with the more well-known H-1B visa. Both allow professionals to live and work in the United States, but they serve different audiences and come with very different rules.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison: