Hiring Canadians and Mexicans on TN Status: An Employer Guide

TN is often the fastest, cheapest way to hire a qualifying Canadian or Mexican professional. Consider it before the H-1B when:

• The candidate is a citizen of Canada or Mexico
• The job matches a profession on the USMCA list and the candidate has the listed credential
• You need the person to start soon, without waiting for the March lottery and an October 1 start

TN is weaker when you plan an early green card. TN is not dual intent, so filing PERM or an I-140 can make border renewals harder. Many employers move long-term TN staff to H-1B before starting the green card. See TN vs H-1B.

For the worker's view, see the TN visa page.

The list is in USMCA Chapter 16, Appendix 2, and in US regulations at 8 CFR 214.6. Common hires:

Registered nurses are a TN profession. The list requires a state or provincial license, or a Mexican licenciatura degree, and the nurse also needs a US state license to practice and a health care worker certificate (such as a VisaScreen) under US law. See hiring healthcare workers.

The job must actually be work in that profession. A role titled "management consultant" that is really a permanent staff position, or a "computer systems analyst" who mainly writes code, is a frequent refusal.

For Canadian citizens, you have two options:

1. At the border or preclearance. Give the candidate a detailed support letter. They apply to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a designated land port of entry or a US preclearance station in a Canadian airport, and pay CBP's fee there.
2. USCIS petition first. File Form I-129 for TN, then the worker shows the approval at entry. Slower and costs more, but gives certainty before travel.

For Mexican citizens:

1. Prepare the support letter.
2. The worker applies for a TN visa at a US embassy or consulate in Mexico (Form DS-160, interview).
3. The worker enters the US with the visa and gets an I-94 in TN status.

The support letter is the core of the case. It should state the USMCA profession, the job duties in detail, the start date and length (up to 3 years), the salary, and how the worker's degree or license meets the list. Attach degrees, transcripts, licenses, and a credential evaluation for degrees from outside the US or Canada.

As of September 2026 (USCIS fee schedule):

There is no ACWIA fee, fraud fee, registration fee, or $100,000 payment for TN. Compare total costs with the sponsorship cost estimator and our US employer cost guide.

TN has lighter paperwork than the H-1B, but you still must:

• Keep the job as described. A new employer needs a new TN approval before the worker starts. A major change in duties needs a new or amended approval.
• Complete Form I-9 within 3 business days of hire, and track the I-94 end date for reverification. See I-9 and E-Verify.
• Follow all labor laws, including minimum wage and overtime rules for any non-exempt role. There is no LCA prevailing wage rule for TN, but a salary far below the market for the profession can make officers doubt the job is professional.
• Plan renewals before the I-94 expires. The worker can re-apply at the border, or you can file an extension with USCIS.
• Watch immigrant intent. Avoid starting a green card case for a TN worker who needs to renew at the border soon, unless counsel has planned the timing.

Family members come in TD status and cannot work.

The July 1, 2026 USMCA joint review did not change TN rules. The agreement now moves to annual reviews, so long-term TN plans should allow for policy change.

• Mismatched profession. The job must be the listed profession, not a nearby one.
• Vague support letters. Officers refuse letters that list generic duties or suggest indefinite employment.
• Wrong credentials. For example, a two-year diploma for a profession that requires a degree.
• Hiring through the worker's own company. TN does not allow self-employment.
• Hiring permanent residents of Canada or Mexico. Only citizens qualify.
• Letting renewals lapse. Work must stop when the I-94 expires unless a timely extension is pending.