TN professions and qualifications
TN may be available to eligible Canadian and Mexican citizens in professions covered by the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Permanent residence in either country is not enough. The actual position must fit a listed profession and the applicant must have the qualifications specified for it.
A job title alone is insufficient. Professional duties, education, licensing where relevant and the proposed employment arrangement should be consistent.
Application procedures for Canadians and Mexicans
Canadian and Mexican citizens do not follow identical visa procedures. Canadians can generally seek TN admission without a consular TN visa; Mexican citizens generally need a TN visa. A port-of-entry instruction should therefore not be applied to every applicant.
Employment arrangements and self-employment
TN does not authorize self-employment in the United States. Management-consultant and other atypical arrangements require careful assessment; a category label is not a blanket exception to that rule. The employment should be prearranged and properly documented.
Our firm can review the employment offer, the relevant profession and the applicant’s credentials. The proposed work should be described accurately, and any previous refusal or immigration issue should be assessed before relying on an anticipated admission date.
PREPARING FOR A CONSULTATION
Information to prepare
A brief summary is sufficient for an initial inquiry. Detailed or sensitive records should be provided through the appropriate consultation process.
- Proof of Canadian or Mexican citizenship
- Detailed employer letter and job duties
- Degrees, licences and relevant experience records
- Current status and previous immigration decisions
Common questions
Does Canadian permanent residence establish TN eligibility?
No. TN nationality requirements concern citizenship.
Can all applicants apply only at the border?
No. Canadian and Mexican procedures differ, and individual circumstances may affect the appropriate route.
Official sources and further reading
- USMCA professionals — U.S. Department of State (opens an official external source) ↗
- TN eligibility and procedures — 8 CFR 214.6 (opens an official external source) ↗
Requirements can change. Check the current official instructions and obtain advice about your circumstances.
General information only; it does not replace advice about an individual case.