What is a TN visa?
Updated October 5, 2026 · 6 min read
Before you read on: This explains the TN category in general terms. It is not legal advice, and eligibility turns on your profession, credentials and the specific job offer. For decisions affecting your status, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
TN status lets citizens of Canada and Mexico work in the United States in certain professional occupations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. There is no annual cap and no lottery, it can be obtained far more quickly than an H-1B, and it is granted for up to three years at a time with no formal limit on renewals. The catch is that it covers only a fixed list of professions, with specific credential requirements for each.
Who qualifies
Citizens of Canada or Mexico — citizenship, not residence. A Canadian permanent resident who is not a Canadian citizen does not qualify.
The job must fall within the published list of professions in the agreement. It includes engineers, scientists of various kinds, accountants, management consultants, computer systems analysts, economists, lawyers, teachers and a number of medical and allied health professions.
Each profession carries its own credential requirement, usually a specific degree or licence. Meeting the requirement for one listed profession is not transferable to another, and roles outside the list do not qualify however professional they are.
You also need a job offer from a US employer. TN is not available for self-employment.
How it is obtained
Canadian citizens can generally apply at a port of entry or pre-clearance location, presenting proof of citizenship, the employer's support letter describing the role and its fit with a listed profession, and evidence of their credentials. A decision is typically made on the spot.
Mexican citizens generally apply for a TN visa at a US consulate before travelling, then present it on entry.
An employer may also petition USCIS on Form I-129 for a change of status or an extension for someone already in the United States.
The speed is the main practical advantage. Where an H-1B runs on a lottery in spring and a start in October, a TN can often be arranged in weeks.
Duration and renewal
TN status is granted for up to three years at a time. There is no statutory maximum on the number of renewals, and people have held it for many years.
That said, it is non-immigrant status intended for temporary professional work. Someone whose circumstances show a settled intention to remain permanently can encounter difficulty at renewal or entry, which is a point of real nuance and one where the interaction with any green card process needs advice before anything is filed.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may hold TD status. TD dependants may study but are not authorised to work.
TN compared with H-1B
No cap and no lottery, against an H-1B lottery most applicants do not win. Weeks rather than months to arrange. Renewable indefinitely in three-year increments, against a six-year H-1B maximum. And generally cheaper, with no Labor Condition Application required.
Against that: the profession list is closed, where the H-1B covers specialty occupations broadly. The intent nuance makes the permanent residence path less straightforward. And it is available only to Canadians and Mexicans.
For an employer hiring a Canadian software engineer or accountant, TN is frequently the faster and simpler route, and it is underused for exactly that reason.
Common questions
Is there a cap on TN visas?
No. Unlike the H-1B there is no annual limit and no lottery, which is the main reason employers use it where they can.
How long does TN status last?
Up to three years at a time, renewable with no formal limit on the number of renewals.
Can I apply for a green card while on TN status?
It is possible but needs care. TN is non-immigrant status without the dual-intent treatment the H-1B enjoys, so pursuing permanent residence can complicate renewals and entries. Take advice before anything is filed.
Can my spouse work on a TD visa?
No. TD dependants may live and study in the United States but are not authorised to work.
Does my job have to be on the profession list?
Yes. The list is closed, and each profession has its own credential requirements. A role outside it does not qualify regardless of how professional or skilled it is.