Canadian and Mexican professionals can work in the U.S. without a lottery or cap through the TN visa classification.
The TN visa is a nonimmigrant work visa available exclusively to Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, formerly NAFTA). It allows professionals in designated occupations to work in the U.S. without an annual cap, without a lottery, and with a streamlined application process. For eligible professionals, TN is one of the fastest and most affordable paths to U.S. employment.
The TN classification was created under NAFTA (now USMCA) to facilitate cross-border professional employment among the three North American countries. Unlike H-1B, TN has no annual cap and no lottery. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport without a prior petition, making it one of the fastest work visas available. Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa stamp at a U.S. consulate before entry.
TN is limited to a specific list of approximately 60 professional occupations defined in the USMCA treaty. Common eligible professions include:
Canadian citizens enjoy a uniquely simple TN process. You do not need to file a petition with USCIS. Instead, you present your TN application package directly at a U.S. port of entry, preclearance facility, or airport. The package should include a support letter from your U.S. employer describing the position and TN profession, proof of your qualifications (degree, transcripts, professional licenses), and proof of Canadian citizenship. Most applications are adjudicated on the spot.
Mexican citizens must apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate. The employer files no USCIS petition — you schedule a consular interview and present similar documentation as Canadians. Processing times vary by consulate but are generally 1 to 3 weeks. Once the visa is stamped, you can enter the U.S. in TN status.
TN status is granted for up to three years per admission. There is no maximum number of renewals — you can renew TN status indefinitely. However, TN is a nonimmigrant visa that technically requires you to maintain non-immigrant intent. Repeatedly renewing TN while pursuing a green card can create complications, though in practice many TN holders successfully transition to green cards.
The main limitations of TN are the restricted occupation list, the requirement for Canadian or Mexican citizenship, and the non-immigrant intent requirement. TN does not formally allow dual intent like H-1B, which means pursuing a green card while on TN requires careful legal strategy. Many TN holders transition to H-1B or file for a green card through EB-2 or EB-3 while on TN status.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →The TN occupation list does not include 'software engineer' as a specific category. However, many software professionals qualify under 'computer systems analyst,' 'engineer,' or 'mathematician' depending on their actual job duties. The key is ensuring the employer's support letter describes duties that align with a listed TN profession, and that your degree matches the requirements.
Each TN admission is valid for up to three years. You can renew indefinitely — there is no lifetime maximum. Renewals can be done at the border (for Canadians), at a consulate (for Mexicans), or by filing Form I-129 with USCIS from within the U.S. Many professionals maintain TN status for 5 to 10 years or longer.
Yes, but it requires careful strategy. TN is technically a non-dual-intent visa, meaning you must maintain non-immigrant intent. However, USCIS has clarified that having an approved I-140 petition does not automatically violate TN status. Many immigration attorneys recommend transitioning to H-1B (which allows dual intent) before starting the green card adjustment of status process.
For Canadians applying at the border, the filing fee is $50. There are no USCIS petition fees because no I-129 is required. For Mexicans applying at a consulate, the visa application fee is $160. If an employer chooses to file Form I-129 with USCIS for a TN extension, the filing fee is $460. TN is one of the most affordable U.S. work visas available.