Florida Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law (Florida Bar Member #7439). TN status — created by NAFTA and now governed by USMCA — is one of the simplest, most flexible work statuses available to Canadian and Mexican professionals. We help employers and employees navigate eligibility, port-of-entry processing, and the path from TN to a green card.
Who qualifies for TN
TN status is limited to nationals of Canada and Mexico whose proposed U.S. role appears on the USMCA Schedule 2 list of qualifying professions — including engineers, scientists, accountants, lawyers, computer systems analysts, management consultants, medical and allied health professionals, and many others. The role must require the listed qualifications, and the beneficiary must hold those qualifications.
How TN is obtained
- Canadians can apply for TN at the port of entry by presenting a job offer, qualifications, and supporting documents directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. No prior USCIS petition is required. Processing is often same-day.
- Mexicans apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate first, then enter on the visa. No prior USCIS petition.
Either route can also be initiated through a USCIS I-129 petition (more documentation, more processing time, but useful for change of status from another non-immigrant category without leaving the U.S.).
Term and renewal
TN status is granted for up to 3 years per period and is renewable indefinitely. TN does not have a maximum cumulative duration like H-1B (6 years) or L-1 (7/5 years).
Limitations
- Non-immigrant intent. TN technically requires you to maintain non-immigrant intent — you must intend to depart at the end of authorized stay. This makes the path to a green card more delicate than for dual-intent visas. Couples often plan transitions carefully.
- Limited list of professions. Roles outside the Schedule 2 list do not qualify, even if the beneficiary is a Canadian/Mexican national with strong credentials.
- Specific degree match. The professional credential must match the role; substitution of work experience for a degree is generally not allowed for most TN categories.
- TD dependents (spouse and children) cannot work on TD status. Dependents who want to work need separate work authorization.
TN to green card
Common paths from TN to a green card:
- EB-2 PERM — most common; standard employer-sponsored path.
- EB-2 NIW — self-petition for advanced-degree professionals with national-interest work.
- EB-1A or EB-1B — for those with strong credentials.
- Family-based — marriage to a U.S. citizen or LPR.
Because TN is non-immigrant intent, the timing of green-card filings (especially I-485 adjustment of status) requires care. We frequently bridge TN holders to dual-intent H-1B before initiating the green-card process.
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Learn more →Frequently Asked — TN · USMCA · TD Dependents
My role is not on the USMCA Schedule 2 list. Can I still get TN?
Unfortunately, no. TN is strictly limited to the listed professions. You may qualify for another category — H-1B specialty worker, L-1 intracompany transferee, O-1 extraordinary ability, or others — depending on your situation.
I am Canadian and have a job offer. How fast can I get TN?
Often same-day at the port of entry. You present your job offer, supporting documents (degree, transcripts, professional licenses), and qualifications to U.S. CBP. If everything is in order, you are admitted in TN status. We pre-package the documentation to maximize the chances of smooth processing.
Can I pursue a green card while on TN?
Yes, but with care. TN technically requires non-immigrant intent. Filing certain immigrant petitions (especially I-485 adjustment of status) while on TN can complicate future TN renewals. Many TN holders bridge to dual-intent H-1B before initiating green-card adjustment. We plan the transition carefully.
My spouse came on TD — can she work?
No. TD dependents cannot work on TD status alone. Your spouse would need separate work authorization through her own visa category (H-1B, O-1, F-1 with OPT, etc.) or via a green card.
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