Visa types / TN
Canadian or Mexican?
This one moves at border speed.
The fastest work status in the toolkit — for Canadian and Mexican citizens in USMCA-listed professions, often granted the same day at the border.
Attorney-reviewed, every case. A Thrive attorney reads your submission and gives you a straight answer — no coordinators, no portals.
Handled by specialists. Your petition is prepared by immigration attorneys with deep TN experience — immigration law, day in and day out.
Fast and async-first. Replies within one business day, in plain English — you keep building while the case comes together.
- Who
- Canadian & Mexican citizens
- Speed
- Same-day at the border (Canadians)
- Duration
- 3-year increments, renewable indefinitely
- Cap
- None — no lottery
Step 1 of 5
Under USMCA, listed professionals from Canada and Mexico can be working in the U.S. in days, not months.
Who it's for
The TN is a fit if…
You're a Canadian or Mexican citizen in a listed profession — engineers, computer systems analysts, scientists, and dozens more.
You need to start fast: Canadians can apply at a port of entry with an offer letter and credentials.
You want a renewable status while longer-term options are built in parallel.
Not sure this is your category? That's normal — the right answer is often a sequence, not a single visa. Email us and a Thrive attorney will map your options.
How it actually works
The mechanics that matter
01
The profession list
USMCA enumerates the eligible professions — engineers, computer systems analysts, scientists, accountants, and dozens more — each with its own degree or license requirements.
02
Border vs. consulate
Canadians can apply directly at a port of entry or preclearance with an offer letter and credentials; Mexicans apply for a TN visa at a consulate first.
03
Renewals
Admission is in up-to-three-year increments, renewable indefinitely while the qualifying professional role continues.
04
Intent planning
TN is a nonimmigrant status without dual intent — pursuing a green card requires careful sequencing, often through an intermediate category.
The process
From "does this fit?" to filed
- 1
Honest assessment
A Thrive attorney reviews your situation against this category — and the neighbors you might not have considered — and gives you a straight read.
- 2
Meet your legal team
Your case is staffed with an immigration attorney with deep experience in this category, working with Thrive. You'll know exactly who before you engage.
- 3
Evidence & filing
Your attorney assembles the record and files with USCIS or the consulate — async updates in plain English while you keep working.
- 4
Decision & next steps
When the decision lands we map what's next: extensions, family, travel, and the road to permanence where one exists.
FAQ
TN questions
Is software engineering a TN profession?
"Engineer" and "Computer Systems Analyst" are on the list, and many software roles are approved under them — but the fit between your degree, the job duties, and the category matters. We review the framing before you're at the border answering questions.
Can I pursue a green card on TN status?
Carefully. TN is a nonimmigrant status without dual intent, so green-card steps need sequencing — often via a switch to H-1B or O-1 first, or well-timed filings. This is the main planning trap we help people avoid.
How long can I stay on TN?
Three years at a time, renewable indefinitely as long as the qualifying role continues. Many people work on TN for years — the ceiling is strategic (green-card planning), not legal.
What documents do I bring to the border?
A detailed offer or support letter tying the role to a listed profession, proof of your degree or credentials, and proof of citizenship. Weak letters are the most common cause of refusals.
Can I work for a startup on TN?
Yes — any U.S. employer works, including startups, as long as the role fits a listed profession. Self-employment is the one structure TN doesn't allow.
What about my spouse and kids?
They receive TD status — they can live and study in the U.S., but TD does not include work authorization.
I was refused at the border. Is that fatal?
Usually not — most refusals are documentation problems that can be corrected and reattempted, but repeat attempts without fixing the record can create issues. Get the letter right before going back.
TN now, green card later — how?
Common sequencing: TN while building an O-1 or H-1B move, then immigrant steps from a dual-intent status; or carefully timed NIW/EB filings with travel planning. The trap is filing immigrant paperwork while renewing TN without a plan.
Start now
Get a straight answer on the TN.
Tell us about your situation and a Thrive attorney will reply within one business day — free, with no obligation.