Employment-based immigration
TN Visa, Explained
The TN visa is a temporary work visa designed for Canadian and Mexican citizens who have job offers in the U.S. In this TN visa guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about the TN visa requirements, processing time, and costs.
By:
Chelsea Spinos
Reviewer:
Simon Craven, Esq.
10 min read • last updated on Mar 11, 2025
Key takeaways
The TN visa is for Canadians and Mexicans coming to work in certain professions in the U.S.
To be eligible for the TN visa, you have to show that you have the right qualifications for the TN visa occupation.
Canadians can apply for the TN visa at the border. Mexican citizens need to apply at the US embassy or consulate.
TN visa duration is for 3 years with unlimited extensions.
Our experienced TN visa lawyers can help you prepare the full package of documents and avoid most common mistakes
More than 33,000 people have received their TN visa last year
US Government stats, 2022
In order to qualify for the TN visa, you must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico and must be coming to work in the U.S. in one of the specified TN visa professions.
The TN visa occupation list includes minimum requirements for each job, and you must meet those requirements to qualify.
Let’s take a closer look below at TN visa jobs list below.
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.[2]
Computer Systems Analyst
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma[3] or Post-Secondary Certificate,[4] and three years experience.
Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster
Claims adjuster employed by an insurance company located in the territory of a Party, or an independent claims adjuster. Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree require + 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. Includes Notary in the province of Quebec.
Forester
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
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
(including Statistician) Requires: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.[5]
Range Manager
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. Note: Includes range conservationist.
Research Assistant
Includes (working in a post-secondary educational institution). Requires: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Scientific Technician/Technologist
Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics; and (b) 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. [6]
Social Worker
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist)
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 (including Geographer)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Vocational Counselor
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Dentist
D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental; or state/provincial license.
Dietitian
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Medical Technologist
Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States)[7] Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience.
Nutritionist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Occupational Therapist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Pharmacist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Physician
(teaching or research only) M.D. or Doctor en Medicina; or state/provincial license.
Physical Therapist
(includes Physiotherapist) Requires - Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Psychologist
State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree.
Recreational Therapist
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.
Agriculturist
(including Agronomist) 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.
College
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Seminary
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
University
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
[2] The terms “state/provincial license” and “state/provincial/federal license” mean any document issued by a state, provincial, or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not by a local government, that permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession.
[3] “Post-Secondary Diploma” means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of postsecondary education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States.
[4] “Post-Secondary Certificate” means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of postsecondary education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in Mexico, an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an academic institution created by federal or state law.
[5] The term “Mathematician” includes the profession of Actuary. An Actuary must satisfy the necessary requirements to be recognized as an actuary by a professional actuarial association or society. A professional actuarial association or society means a professional actuarial association or society operating in the territory of at least one of the Parties.
[6] A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry for work in direct support of professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics.
[7] A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory, chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases.
[8] The term “Biologist” includes the profession of Plant Pathologist.
Can I get a TN visa as a Management Consultant?
Navigating the "Management Consultant" category for a TN visa can be a bit nuanced, but let's break it down.
In simple terms, management consultants are professionals who assist businesses in identifying and addressing operational or strategic challenges. They can either work independently as a contractor or be part of a consulting firm.
Now, to meet the TN visa requirements as a management consultant, you need either a degree or 5 years of experience as a management consultant. Unlike most other TN visa professions, a bachelor's degree isn't mandatory.
Many Canadian TN visa applicants apply as management consultants and we're seeing that this job category attracts more scrutiny from US immigration officials than other TN visa jobs.
With any TN visa application, the key is to clearly demonstrate how your role as a Management Consultant closely aligns with the specific occupation on the TN visa occupation list.
Not sure If you qualify for an TN visa?
Reach out to us and our TN visa attorneys can help evaluate the strength of your case.
Can I get a TN visa as an Economist?
Applying for a TN visa in the Economist category can present its unique challenges. To meet the TN visa requirements as an Economist, you'll need a degree in Economics or a related field, along with an offer from a U.S. employer as an Economist.
It's worth noting the government has taken a very strict view of what it means to be an Economist, and only certain roles will qualify.
So, what does the government expect Economists to do? USCIS emphasizes a focus on microeconomics or macroeconomics specialization. Your job responsibilities should include research, report preparation, and addressing economic issues related to production, distribution, or monetary and fiscal policy. Economists typically analyze sectors on a broad scale, ranging from international trade to health and education.
On the flip side, the government explicitly says that TN visa Economists shouldn't be working as financial analysts or market researchers. Financial analysts mainly analyze investments, while market researchers gather data for marketing strategies, and both of these jobs would be outside of the definition of Economist.
If you’re submitting a TN visa application as an Economist, it’s important to make sure that your job matches the duties outlined by the government very closely.
Our TN visa attorneys have substantial experience dealing with various applications for Canadian and Mexican economists and can advice on the best way to present your case.
TN visa Approval Rate exceeds 90% in 2022
USCIS data
All TN Visa requirements are job specific. Some may require a bachelor's degree or a license. Check out our complete TN visa occupation list to see if you meet the requirements.
To prove that you qualify, you must include documents, like your diploma or license, with your TN visa application.
Our experienced TN visa lawyers will review your job offer and description to ensure it complies with TN visa requirements and best practices.
The Form I-129
If you are filing from within the U.S. (as a change from another status), the time to receive an E2 visa decision after filing is usually about 1 or 2 months.
You can download form i-129 here for free.
Or see an example of form i-129 below:
When can I start working under a TN Visa?
There are two types of fees associated with your TN visa application:
TN lawyer fees
Government fees and other costs
TN visa lawyer fees
When it comes to TN visa attorney fees, they can vary on who you go to. For a more personalized touch, we suggest checking out smaller law firms that have substantial experience in TN visas like Manifest Law, where our lawyer fees for a TN visa start at $3,500 and can be paid on a flexible payment plan.
TN processing fees
Below is a summary of the current government filing fees for the TN visa:
USCIS (From within the U.S.)
Most Organizations
Organizations with fewer than 25 employees
Nonprofits
I-129 Fee
$1,015
$510
$510
Asylum Program Fee
$600
$300
N/A
TOTAL
$1,615
$810
$510
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Department Of State Visa Fee: $185
(only for Mexican citizens when getting visa stamp abroad)
TN visa applications can be complex and require extensive job-related documentation, making the process challenging. Many applicants choose to work with an experienced immigration lawyer to ensure accuracy and improve their chances of approval.
Hiring an TN visa lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes and increase your TN visa chances of approval. Qualified immigration lawyers know how the TN visa process works, help you gather the right evidence, and make sure you meet the TN visa requirements.
Here at Manifest Law, our TN visa lawyers have 10+ years of experience. We offer flexible payment plans stretching up to 6 months, a visa-approved or money-back guarantee (terms apply), and immigration lawyers who are well-versed in the TN visa process.
What are the differences between TN visa vs H1B?
A TN visa has a few advantages over an H-1 visa. One major advantage is that there is no “cap” or limits to TN visas, so there is no lottery like the H1B visa. Another noteworthy advantage is the flexibility in time. There's no restriction on the total duration one can spend on a TN visa. Finally, Canadians can apply for the TN visa directly at the border, which is much faster than the H-1B which requires submitting paperwork in advance.
Is it difficult to get TN visa?
The TN visa is relatively straightforward, but it requires meeting the TN visa requirements. These are: 1) being a citizen of Mexico or Canada, and 2) having the right job offer in the US. Most denials come from not being in the right TN visa occupation.
How long can you stay in the U.S. with a TN visa?
You can stay in the U.S. on a TN visa for up to three years at a time, and there is no total limit to the amount of time you can stay with extensions (TN visa renewal).
How long does it take for a TN visa to be approved?
This will depend on how you apply. If you are Canadian, you can apply directly at the border when you travel, and get a decision that day. If you are Mexican, you need to make an appointment at the consulate to get a visa stamp first, and the timing for this varies significantly by location over time. If you are submitting a TN visa application from within the U.S., it takes about 2 months for USCIS to process the paperwork.
Do TN visas require sponsorship?
Yes, you must have an offer of employment from a U.S. organization that is sponsoring you.
What happens if you lose your job on a TN visa?
Unfortunately, if you lose your job on the TN visa, you either need to find another visa status or leave the U.S.
Can I go from TN visa to Green Card?
Yes! If you are on a TN visa, you may be able to use green card paths, like a PERM labor certification, in order to get a U.S. green card.
