U.S. TN Professional
United States
Residency
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See if you're a match →TN status is for Canadian and Mexican citizens with a prearranged U.S. job in a listed USMCA professional occupation. It generally requires Canadian or Mexican citizenship, a qualifying profession, a U.S. employer role, and the credentials for that profession.
- Type
- Treaty professional work permit
- Professional fit
- Eligible professionals with a pre-arranged role
- Core requirements
- Citizenship, listed profession, credentials, and job offer
- What to know
- Usually temporary and tied to the professional role
- Duration
- TN status can be granted for up to 3 years at a time.
- Renewal / path
- It can be renewed, but it is not permanent residence by itself.
Summary
TN status is a streamlined U.S. work route for Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professional occupations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. It requires a qualifying profession, a prearranged U.S. job, and the credentials for that profession.
For Canadians and Mexicans in a listed occupation, TN can be one of the most practical U.S. work options.
Eligibility
You may fit this pathway if:
- You are a citizen of Canada or Mexico.
- Your profession is on the USMCA/TN profession list in 8 CFR 214.6.
- The U.S. position requires that kind of professional.
- You have a prearranged full-time or part-time job with a U.S. employer or entity.
- You have the education, license, or professional credentials required for the listed profession.
What This Route Allows
TN allows temporary professional work in the United States for the specific U.S. role. It is employer-tied and should match the profession listed in the application.
What This Route Is Not
TN is not available to permanent residents of Canada or Mexico who are not citizens. It is also not a general work route for any professional job; the role must fit the listed TN professions.
Next Steps
- Confirm that your citizenship is Canadian or Mexican.
- Match the U.S. job to a listed TN profession.
- Gather credentials, such as degrees, transcripts, licenses, and employment letters.
- Confirm the employer's letter clearly describes duties that match the TN profession.