Understanding US Visas
TN
TN Visa 2025: Everything You Need to Know
4 min read
Written by Ali Ramezanzadeh
Hire qualified Canadian and Mexican professionals quickly and compliantly.
What is a TN visa?
The TN visa is a non-immigrant employment visa created under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), formerly NAFTA. It allows U.S. employers to hire eligible Canadian and Mexican nationals for professional roles in science, engineering, healthcare, finance, and other designated fields.
For employers, the TN visa offers a fast, cost-effective, and renewable alternative to the H-1B and other employment-based visas—with no annual cap, no lottery system.
Why U.S. Employers Use the TN Visa
- Efficient hiring timeline: Many Canadian applicants can be onboarded in as little as 1–2 weeks.
- No prevailing wage or LCA required (unlike H-1B).
- Unlimited extensions, as long as the employee continues to meet the requirements.
- Lower filing costs and minimal paperwork compared to other visa categories.
- No quota or lottery, making the TN visa ideal for just-in-time hiring needs.
TN Visa Eligibility Criteria for Employers
To sponsor a TN visa employee, your company must provide:
- A valid offer of employment (full- or part-time) in a qualifying TN profession
- A clear job description aligning with one of the USMCA-approved occupations
- Evidence that the employee holds the relevant credentials (degree, license, etc.)
A list of USMCA approved Professions
| PROFESSION | QUALIFICATION |
|---|---|
| Accountant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or C.P.A.,C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A. |
| Architect | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license. |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree;or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate and three years' experience. |
| Disaster relief insurance claims adjuster | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or three years experience in claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims. |
| Economist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Engineer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license |
| Forester | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license |
| Graphic Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate and three years experience. |
| Hotel Manager | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate in hotel/restaurant management and three years experience in hotel/restaurant management. |
| Industrial Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience. |
| Interior Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience. |
| Land Surveyor | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree or state/provincial/federal license. |
| Landscape Architect | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Lawyer | L.L.B.,J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licenciatura degree (five years); or membership in a state/provincial bar. |
| Librarian | M.L.S., or B.L.S. (for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree was a prerequisite). |
| Management Consultant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent professional experience as established by statement or professional credential attesting to five years experience as a management consultant, or five years experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement. |
| Mathematician | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Range Manager/Range Conservationist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Research Assistant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Scientific Technician/Technologist | Possession of theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics; and the ability to solve practical problems in any of those disciplines, or the ability to apply principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied research. |
| Social Worker | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Sylviculturist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Technical Publications Writer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience. |
| Urban Planner | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Vocational Counselor | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Registered nurse | State/provincial license or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Veterinarian | D.V.M., D.M.V., or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license. |
| SCIENTIST | |
| Agriculturist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Animal Breeder | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Animal Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Apiculturist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Astronomer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Biochemist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Biologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Chemist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Dairy Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Entomologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Epidemiologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Geneticist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Geochemist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Geologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Geophysicist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Horticulturist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Meteorologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Pharmacologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Physicist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Plant Breeder | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Poultry Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Soil Scientist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
| Zoologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. |
TN Visa Application Process: What Employers Need to Know
Option 1: File with USCIS (Form I-129)
Best for extending or transferring existing TN employees or when the candidate is already in the U.S.
Option 2: Employee Applies at the Border or Embassy
- Canadian professionals can apply directly at a U.S. port of entry or airport pre-clearance location.
- Mexican professionals must apply through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Both pathways require submission of a TN support letter outlining the job role, profession, compensation, and credentials.
Required Documentation
As the sponsoring employer, you’ll need to prepare:
- Employer Support Letter (on company letterhead), which includes:
- Job title and responsibilities
- Applicable NAFTA profession
- Duration of employment
- Compensation details
- Candidate qualifications
- Proof of Qualifications from the employee:
- Original diplomas, licenses, certifications, or transcripts
- Filing Fee (if applying via USCIS)
Compliance Considerations
- TN employees cannot be self-employed—a U.S. employer or foreign entity with a U.S. presence must act as petitioner.
- Positions must fall squarely within the USMCA list of occupations—vague or hybrid job titles may trigger requests for evidence (RFEs).
- TN visas are non-immigrant, meaning they are not a direct path to a green card—but they can coexist with long-term planning strategies (e.g., transitioning to H-1B or EB-2/EB-3 sponsorship).
How much does the TN visa cost?
| Fee Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Border processingIncludes $50 TN processing fee and $6 for I-94 Card | $56 |
| USCIS processing | $325 |
| USCIS petition filing feeFor status change within the U.S. | $460 |
| Premium processing(optional) | $2,500 |
| Reciprocity fees(for Mexican Nationals) |
$1041-year TN visa stamp $3824-year TN visa stamp |
| Estimated Totals(without optional fees and with all fees) | $381 - $3,723 |
Need Support With TN Visa Sponsorship?
At Ellis , we help companies streamline the TN visa process—from drafting airtight support letters to ensuring full compliance with USMCA guidelines. Whether you're hiring for a critical technical role or expanding into North America, we can help you bring the right talent onboard quickly and legally.
Book a strategy session today to discuss your hiring goals.
FAQ
How long is a TN visa valid for?
Up to 3 years, with indefinite renewals allowed in 3-year increments.
What happens if a TN employee’s role is terminated?
The employee has a 60-day grace period to leave the U.S., switch employers, or change visa status.
Can we transfer a TN employee between departments or roles?
Any material change in job duties or location may require a new TN application or amendment. It’s best to consult legal counsel before making changes.