TN Visa Lawyers
Immigration Attorneys Experienced in TN Visas
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Who Is the TN Visa For?
The TN visa is for Canadian and Mexican citizens working in occupations listed under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA). Eligible fields include engineering, science, healthcare, law, teaching, and business specialties.
Benefits of the TN Visa
The TN visa offers several advantages for Mexican and Canadian citizens compared to other U.S. work visas:
Fast processing: Canadians can apply at the border and often receive approval the same day. Mexicans can secure a visa at a U.S. consulate, though processing times by individual consulate may vary.
Low government fees: Much less expensive than H-1B or O-1 petitions.
No lottery or cap: Unlike the H-1B, there’s no annual quota or random selection process.
Renewable indefinitely: Granted in up to 3-year increments, with no maximum stay limit as long as eligibility and intent is maintained.
Wide range of professions eligible: Covers dozens of occupations in science, healthcare, engineering, education, and business.
Family friendly: Spouses and children under 21 can accompany you to the U.S. on TD visas (though they cannot work).
This combination of speed, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness makes the TN one of the most practical options for Canadian and Mexican professionals working in the U.S.
Who Can Sponsor a TN Visa?
Who Is Qualified for a TN Visa?
To qualify for a TN visa, you must meet the following requirements:
Citizenship: You must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico (permanent residents of these countries are not eligible).
Job offer in a TN-listed profession: Your U.S. employer must offer you a role in one of the professions recognized under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA), such as engineers, scientists, teachers, accountants, or healthcare professionals.
Education or licensing requirements: Most TN occupations require at least a bachelor’s degree in a directly related field. Some roles may also accept professional licenses or alternative credentials where specified in the treaty.
Valid employer-employee relationship: The U.S. employer must provide a formal offer or contract and demonstrate that the job meets TN standards (self-employment is not permitted).
Nonimmigrant intent: While the TN can be renewed indefinitely, you must maintain the intention to stay in the U.S. on a temporary basis.
TN Visa Processing Time
The time it takes to get a TN visa depends on if you’re applying as a Mexican or Canadian citizen.
Canadians can apply directly at a U.S. port of entry, so the processing time can take a few hours at most.
Mexican citizens need to apply at a U.S. consulate, and processing time can take a few weeks to months.
TN Visa Filing Fees
Government fees for TN visas are relatively low:
Canadians (at border/airport): ~$50 filing fee + $24 for an I-94 card.
Mexicans (at consulate): ~$185 visa application fee and reciprocity fee ($104 - $382).
USCIS petitions (Form I-129, if filed in the U.S.): $1,015 (or $510
if employer is a small business or nonprofit), asylum fee ($0-$600 depending on business size and type), and optional premium processing ($2965) for a faster 15-business-day decision.
To see if you qualify for a TN visa, request a consultation below.
Choosing a TN Visa Lawyer
What Matters When Choosing a TN Visa Lawyer?
Securing a TN visa may seem straightforward, but small mistakes in documentation or job classification can lead to delays or denials. Having the right lawyer ensures your application is prepared strategically, presented in the language immigration officers expect, and supported with the strongest possible evidence.
Here’s what to look for when choosing a TN visa lawyer:
Proven TN visa experience: Ask about how many successful TN cases they've completed.
Deep understanding of trends: Look for a TN visa lawyer who knows how to follow USCIS and immigration trends, and how to adjust their approach in response.
Communication skills: Ask about their communication style and how often you will receive updates on your TN visa case.
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Disclaimer: Some testimonials and reviews displayed on this website are sourced from publicly available Google Reviews. These reviews represent the opinions and experiences of individual clients and may not be representative of the experiences of all clients. Testimonials do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. Every case is different, and results depend on the unique facts and circumstances of each case.
Do I need an immigration lawyer to apply for a TN visa?
You don’t legally need a lawyer to apply for a TN visa. But many professionals choose to work with an attorney to make sure their application is airtight. A lawyer ensures your job description matches a listed TN profession, your documentation meets USCIS or CBP standards, and that you’re prepared to answer questions at the border or consulate.
How can an immigration attorney support my TN visa application process?
The most common reason for TN delays or denials is not meeting the strict definition of a “TN profession” or not documenting your qualifications properly. A lawyer helps by: - Reviewing your job offer letter to make sure it fits the TN criteria - Preparing a strong employer support letter in the language immigration officers expect - Anticipating questions at the port of entry or consulate - Preventing mistakes that could cause denials, delays, or future issues with renewal
What professions qualify for a TN visa?
The TN visa is limited to specific professions listed under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA). These include many roles in science, technology, engineering, medicine, law, teaching, and business, such as engineers, accountants, scientists, professors, pharmacists, and certain medical professionals. To qualify, you must have a U.S. job offer in one of the listed categories and meet the required education or licensing standards.
Can my family members come with me on a TN visa?
Yes. Dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21) can apply for TD visas. They can study in the U.S. but are not authorized to work.
Can I be self-employed on a TN visa?
No. The TN requires a U.S. employer to sponsor you, and self-employment is not allowed. However, you can own a business, provided you are not working for it in TN status.
What’s the difference between a TN visa and an H-1B visa?
The TN visa is only for Canadians and Mexicans and applies only to certain professions listed under USMCA. It’s not subject to a lottery, can be renewed indefinitely, and is generally faster and less expensive to obtain. The H-1B, by contrast, is open to all nationalities, covers a broader range of occupations, and is capped at 85,000 visas per year through a lottery system.
Does the TN visa lead to a Green Card?
The TN visa is technically a nonimmigrant visa and does not allow “dual intent” like the H-1B. That said, many TN visa holders later transition to permanent residency through employer sponsorship (e.g., EB-2 or EB-3) or by switching to a visa type that allows dual intent (like H-1B).
