TN Visa Application Requirements for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

The TN non-immigrant visa allows certain Canadian and Mexican citizens to temporarily enter the United States to engage in business activities at a professional level. The TN visa offers a faster and easier pathway to working in the U.S.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for TN status, an applicant must meet four key TN visa eligibility requirements:

• Citizenship: The applicant must be a Canadian or Mexican citizen (not just a resident)
• Qualifying Profession: The applicant’s profession must match one of the USMCA Schedule 2 professions exactly
• Educational/Credential Requirements: The applicant must meet the minimum education, degree, or licensure requirements for that profession
• Prearranged Employment: The applicant must have a U.S. job offer with specific duties and terms.

Qualifying applicants must meet all these eligibility requirements simultaneously. The following sections break down each key TN visa eligibility requirement in detail.

Requirements for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

The first key US TN visa requirement that applicants must meet is nationality eligibility. Because the TN visa is a product of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), it is available only to citizens of Canada and Mexico.

Canadian Citizen Requirements

Canada TN visa applicants must be Canadian citizens. Permanent residents, work permit holders, and other non-citizen nationals of the country are not eligible.

Applicants typically need a valid Canadian passport as proof of Canadian citizenship. The passport must be valid for the duration of the intended stay, as a TN visa will not be issued beyond the passport’s expiration date. Canadian citizens with dual nationality can still qualify for the TN visa. However, these individuals may face additional scrutiny. 

That said, Canadian TN visa applicants have one big advantage: they do not need to obtain a TN visa stamp at a U.S. consulate or embassy before entering the U.S.

They can go straight to a U.S. port of entry or an airport preclearance location with their TN documentation, apply for the visa by presenting the documents to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, get approved on the spot, and then enter the U.S.

Mexican Citizen Requirements

As per TN visa Mexico requirements, Mexican TN applicants must be Mexican citizens, not non-citizen nationals. To prove Mexican citizenship, applicants must present a valid Mexican passport. The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay. 

Unlike Canadian citizens, Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa stamp at a U.S. consulate or embassy before traveling. That is, they cannot apply directly at the border.

The TN visa application requirements/ steps for Mexicans are as follows:

• Complete the DS-160 non-immigrant visa application
• Schedule and attend a visa interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy in Mexico
• Receive the TN visa stamp in the passport upon visa application approval
• Enter the U.S. using the approved visa 

USMCA Qualifying Professions List

To qualify for TN status, applicants must also meet specific TN visa job requirements. TN visa is not available to every Canadian or Mexican professional, but only to those in professional occupations listed in the USMCA Appendix 1603.D.1 (formerly NAFTA Appendix 1603.D.1). These include Accountants, Architects, Computer System Analysts, Management Consultants, Lawyers, and more.

If an applicant’s job does not fall into one of the listed professional occupations, they are not eligible for the TN visa, regardless of their qualification or employer support. See the complete USMCA/NAFTA Job list. 

Education and Credential Requirements

Applicants also have to meet specific TN visa education requirements, as every profession listed under USMCA Appendix 1603.D.1 includes minimum qualification standards.

The qualification typically includes a bachelor’s degree, a professional license, or equivalent experience. 

“Equivalent experience” often means a combination of education and experience. But in some rare cases (when explicitly stated), a defined number of years of professional experience alone may substitute for formal education.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Most TN professions require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field directly related to the qualifying profession. 

Key TN visa credential requirements include:

• The degree must be from an accredited or officially recognized institution.
• The field of study must be directly related to the profession. For example, an Engineer must hold a degree in Engineering, and an Accountant must have a degree in Accounting or a related business degree with substantial accounting coursework.
• Degrees obtained outside North America must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation service to confirm U.S. degree equivalency.
• Diplomas and transcripts are required as supporting evidence.

Note: For specific TN visa degree requirements by profession, refer to our USMCA professions list.

Professional License Requirements

To qualify for certain TN professions, applicants must hold an active, valid license in addition to a degree.

For example:

• Registered Nurses need a state nursing license or a temporary practice permit
• Lawyers need bar admission (in a US state or federal jurisdiction)
• Architects need state licensure or registration
• Medical professionals must possess the appropriate state-issued licenses or certifications required for lawful practice.

Alternative Credentials and Experience

Some USMCA professions allow for an alternative qualification pathway. For example, the Accounting professional occupation requires an accounting degree or a degree in a related field. The “or” provision means that a degree in a field with substantial accounting coursework (such as Finance) will be accepted.

When using an alternative degree, a TN application is unlikely to be accepted if the degree is too general, unrelated, or has minimal relevant coursework.

Also, some TN professions allow experience in lieu of a degree. A popular example is the Management Consultant TN profession. Applicants can apply and qualify for the TN Management Consultant visa without a formal degree if they have 5+ years of management consulting experience.

In the past, a 3-for-1 equivalency formula was popular, where 3 years of professional experience could substitute for 1 year of post-secondary education.

However, it is now almost impossible to use this rule, as the USMCA policy update of June 4, 2005 (titled “Professionals under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)”) states that work experience will no longer be accepted as a substitute for a degree unless the USMCA job category explicitly allows it.

Even where the USMCA profession explicitly allows using experience in lieu of a degree (such as the Management Consultant TN visa), adjudication is usually stricter, leading to more denials. For this reason, it’s always safer to apply with a qualifying degree.

When applying without a degree and relying on only experience, detailed supporting documentation is important. As per TN visa documentation requirements, these should include:

• Detailed professional resumes showing job duties and dates of employment.
• Employer reference letters showing expertise and the impact of how services were rendered.
• Evidence demonstrating how the experience aligns with the USMCA profession’s requirements

Required Documents for TN Visa Application

This section is a TN visa document checklist, detailing the documents required for a TN visa for both Canadians and Mexicans.

The core documents required for a TN visa are largely the same, but there are a few procedural differences depending on whether the application is submitted at a U.S. port of entry (by a Canadian) or through a U.S. consulate (by a Mexican).

Core Documents Required for All TN Applicants

Required documents when applying for the TN visa include:

• Valid passport: For establishing Canadian or Mexican citizenship. This should be valid for the duration of the intended stay if Canadian or 6 months beyond that if Mexican.
• Employer support letter: This shows how the applicant and their job qualify for the TN visa. The letter should include:
  • The offered professional position and job duties
  • Employment terms and remuneration
  • Confirmation that the role is temporary
• Educational credentials: These include degree diploma(s), academic transcripts, and credential evaluation (for foreign degrees).
• Professional licenses or certifications (if required). This helps you meet TN visa licensure requirements for occupations that require it, such as registered nurses and lawyers.
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV): This should be in US-style and clearly demonstrate education and professional experience relevant to the TN occupation.
• Supporting experience documentation: This can include reference letters from prior employers. It should show prior roles, duties, and achievements.

Additional Documents for Mexican Citizens

As per US TN visa requirements, Mexicans must apply for a TN visa through the US consulate in Mexico before traveling to the U.S. In addition to the core documents, they should provide the following additional documents: 

• Completed DS-160 non-immigrant visa application
• Visa interview appointment confirmation
• Visa application fee receipt
• Passport-style photograph meeting U.S. Department of State specifications
• Visa interview appointment letter

After visa issuance, the applicant must present the TN visa stamp and supporting documentation when entering the United States.

Additional Documents for Credential-Heavy Professions

Certain TN professions require additional documentation, particularly those involving licensure and regulated practice. For example, 

• Architects require State licensure or registration, as well as evidence of compliance with state regulatory requirements.
• Lawyers also require proof of bar admission (state or federal) and documentation that shows authorization to practice law in the United States.

Failure to provide profession-specific documentation is a common reason for TN denials, even when applicants meet core TN work visa requirements.

Critical Requirements – The TN Employer Support Letter 

The TN employer letter is the single most important document in a TN application. This is because it is the primary evidence immigration officers use to determine whether the offered position qualifies under USMCA and whether the applicant meets all statutory requirements for TN visa classification. 

Thus, the letter must do more than confirm a job offer. It must demonstrate qualifying professional employment and clearly show how the applicant’s credentials and supporting evidence qualify.

For what employers need to know to craft a winning support letter, see our full list of TN visa employer requirements. 

Required Elements in Every TN Letter

The TN support letter should be detailed and internally consistent. At a minimum, it should contain the following information:

• Employer information: The company name, address, and contact information.
• Applicant identification: Full legal name and citizenship.
• Qualifying USMCA profession: The position being offered and a clear identification of the exact USMCA Appendix 1603.D.1 profession under which TN classification is requested.
• Detailed job duties: A thorough description of the duties to be performed, showing how they align with the duties professionals in that occupation typically perform.
• Qualifications for the role: Applicant’s degree, licensure (if required), and experience.
• Explanation of credential match: A brief explanation of how they satisfy the professional requirements of the role.
• Employment terms: The duration of the employment and the remuneration the applicant will receive.
• Temporary intent statement: A confirmation that the position is temporary.
• Authorized signature and date: The letter must be signed and dated by an authorized company representative.

Common Letter Mistakes That Cause Denials

Common TN support letter errors that lead to denials of a TN visa include:

• Vague or generic job duties that do not clearly match a USMCA profession
• Missing required elements such as salary, duration, or qualification requirements
• Job duties that appear entry-level, clerical, or administrative rather than professional
• Inconsistencies between the job title and the described duties
• No explanation of how the applicant’s credentials meet the professional requirements
• Weak, boilerplate, or non-specific language
• Letters that are unsigned or undated

Because of how important the TN support letter is in TN visa adjudications, applicants should ensure theirs is professionally drafted and carefully reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and compliance before submission.  

TN Visa Expert specializes in drafting compliant employer letters that satisfy CBP and consular requirements for a TN visa. The TN Visa Employer kit shows you how to write a great TN support letter by providing sample TN support letters specific to your USMCA profession and easy step-by-step instructions to create your own TN letter quickly.  

Salary And Compensation Requirements

TN status requirements do not come with a statutory minimum salary. However, US immigration officers would want to know whether the offered salary aligns with:

• The specific USMCA profession
• The level of responsibility
• The local labor market

For this reason, compensation should be clearly and explicitly stated in the TN employer support letter. And though there are no TN visa salary requirements (in terms of statutory minimum salary), the compensation must be consistent with prevailing wages for the profession.

Compensation that is below market rate, unusually low for the profession, or inconsistent with the described duties (or level of responsibility) may raise red flags. Officers may question whether the position reflects professional-level employment under TN standards, which may lead to a denial. 

Common Mistakes That Cause Denials

Hereunder, we examine common causes of TN application denials and tips to prevent them.

• Applying for a profession not on the USMCA list. Applying with a role that is not explicitly listed in the USMCA job list results in a denial.

Quick fix: before applying, confirm the role is among the 63 qualifying professions eligible for TN status.

• Job duties don’t match the USMCA profession. If the duties of the US job do not align with the professional requirements of the role, the role is deemed ineligible.

Quick fix: Work with the US employer to draft detailed, profession-specific duties that map directly to the targeted USMCA profession.

• Vague job descriptions: Broad or unclear duties can make it difficult for officers to determine whether the role is professional and qualifying.

Quick fix: Include specific, professional-level duties, and these should tie directly to the targeted USMCA profession

• Credentials don’t meet minimum requirements. Not meeting the minimum degree requirements, such as having a degree in an unrelated field.

Quick fix: Verify that degrees or experience meet the profession’s minimum standards and obtain credential evaluations when using foreign degrees.

• Missing professional licenses: Not providing a license when applying under professions that require these (such as registered nurse, architect, or lawyer)

Quick fix: Obtaining licenses and certification, if these are required to work in the US. 

• Weak or generic employer letter. Providing an employer letter that does not clearly show how the role matches TN status or how the applicant’s credentials satisfy the professional requirements of the role.

Quick fix: Use TN Visa Expert services for professional TN support drafting and review, to ensure your letter addresses all required elements and explains eligibility clearly.

• Evidence of immigrant intent: Evidence suggesting permanent intent (such as Employer letters that describe the role as “permanent,” “indefinite,” or “ongoing) can result in denials.

Quick fix: Ensure the employer letter and supporting documents clearly establish the intent to engage in temporary employment.

• Inconsistent documentation: Conflicting job titles, duties, dates, or qualifications across documents. 

Quick fix: Ensure consistency across the employer letter, resume, credentials, and supporting documents.

• Expired credentials or passport: Since TN status cannot be issued beyond passport or license validity, expired documents can result in shortened validity or denial. 

Quick fix: Ensure passports and credentials are valid for the full requested TN period.

When To Get Professional Help

You can apply for a TN visa on your own. However, there are many situations in which professional help can reduce the risk of denial. These include when job duties-profession matching is complex, when using related or alternative credentials, when there have been prior visa denials, when establishing nonimmigrant intent is difficult, or when responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or consular 221(g) administrative processing.

For added confidence before applying, contact TN Visa Expert for a comprehensive document review and tailored TN application strategy designed to meet current CBP and consular adjudication standards.

Summary and Next Steps

Obtaining a TN visa is possible if applicants follow these steps: verify citizenship eligibility, ensure the offered position clearly matches a qualifying USMCA profession, verify they meet all education and licensing requirements, secure a detailed employer letter, prepare complete documentation, and choose the correct application process for their nationality.

However, expert help reduces the risk of denial. Begin your TN eligibility and documentation review with TN Visa Expert, and increase your chances of success when applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job offer before applying for TN status, or can I enter the U.S. and search for employment?

You must meet the TN visa job offer requirements to be eligible for TN status (and one of these is having a job offer from a U.S. employer). Individuals cannot enter the U.S. with TN status to search for employment. At the time of applying for a TN visa, they must have an offer for a professional role that qualifies under the USMCA.

Can I apply for TN status if I have a degree in a different field than my profession, and how is equivalency determined?

In some cases, you can apply for a TN visa if you have a degree in a field different from your profession. However, the degree must be closely related to your profession, with the coursework and academic focus directly supporting the profession (such as applying for an Accounting TN visa with a Finance degree). Equivalency is not based on the job title alone; officers review transcripts to determine how closely an applicant’s education aligns with their professional role.

What happens if my TN application is denied at the port of entry or consulate – can I reapply?

Yes, in most cases, you can reapply for TN status after a denial. However, the underlying reason for the denial must be addressed before reapplying to reduce the risk of another refusal. Thus, after a TN application denial, an applicant should calmly ask the officer the reason for the denial and seek professional review to help correct the deficiencies that led to the denial and determine the best strategy for a new application.