THE FIRTS TWO QUESTIONS
Citizenship and profession —
both have to match.
TN status is only available to citizens of Canada or Mexico, and only for professions specifically listed under the USMCA agreement — engineers, accountants, economists, scientists, computer systems analysts, graphic designers, and certain healthcare professionals among them. If your nationality or your profession doesn't fit, TN isn't available — but another category might be. Our Rancho Santa Margarita office, in the heart of Orange County, works with both nationalities every week — the mismatches we catch early are the easiest to fix.
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Citizen of Canada or Mexico
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The U.S. position requires a USMCA professional
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Qualifications to practice in the profession
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Profession included in the USMCA list
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Prearranged full-time or part-time job with a U.S. employer
A KEY DIFFERENCE
Same visa. Two different paths to get it.
USMCA treats Canadian and Mexican applicants differently at the procedural level — and mixing up the two is one of the most common mistakes we see.
Canadian Citizens
No visa stamp required in most cases — Canadian citizens can generally apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry or pre-flight inspection station.
Often approved the same day, with supporting documents presented directly to a Customs and Border Protection officer.
No separate consular interview needed in most circumstances
Mexican Citizens
Must obtain a TN visa stamp at a U.S. consulate before seeking entry — this requires a DS-160 application and a consular interview.
Processing and interview wait times vary by consulate, so planning ahead matters more for Mexican applicants.
Once the visa is issued, entry to the U.S. follows normal port-of-entry procedures.
01
FOR CANADA CITIZENS
02
FOR MEXICAN CITIZENS
Prepare before your travel
Plan for the consular step
No advance petition is required in most cases, but arriving without complete supporting documents is the most common reason for delay at the port of entry.
Apply three to six months ahead to allow time for DS-160 processing and interview scheduling at the consulate.
APPLICATION PATHS
Three ways people use TN status.
01 Canadian Citizens Applying at the Border
Have a job offer and a USMCA-listed profession? We help assemble the documentation Customs and Border Protection expects, so your port-of-entry application goes smoothly the first time.
02 Mexican Citizens Applying at a Consulate
The consular process adds a step Canadian applicants don't face. We help prepare your DS-160 and supporting evidence well ahead of your interview.
03 Renewing or Extending TN
Status
TN status can be renewed indefinitely in three-year increments, as long as your job and qualifications still fit. We help confirm continued eligibility before each renewal.
The TN does not lead directly to a green
card.
TN status requires maintaining non-immigrant intent, and it doesn't offer a built-in path to permanent residence. TN holders who want to stay permanently need to qualify independently for a different visa category or green card pathway — something we build into the conversation early, not after the fact.
WITH THE GRADY FIRM
Two nationalities.
One clear process.
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Matching your role to the correct USMCA professional category
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Preparing Canadian applicants for a smooth port-of-entry process
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Guiding Mexican applicants through the consular visa step
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Planning ahead if permanent residence becomes the long-term goal
Not sure which path applies to you?
Get a 30-minute consultation before you travel or file.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKINNG
Before you file.
01
What professions qualify for a TN visa?
TN status is available only for professions specifically listed under the USMCA agreement — a closed list that includes engineers, accountants, economists, scientists, computer systems analysts, graphic designers, and certain healthcare professionals, among others. Your job duties and your credentials both need to match the listed category, not just a general degree requirement.
Do Canadian and Mexican citizens apply the same way?
No. Canadian citizens generally apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry or pre-flight inspection station, often the same day. Mexican citizens must first obtain a TN visa stamp at a U.S. consulate, which requires a DS-160 application and a consular interview before they can seek entry.
02
03
How long can I stay on TN status?
TN status is granted for an initial period of up to three years and can be renewed in additional three-year increments with no maximum total limit, as long as the underlying job and USMCA eligibility continue.
04
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you in TD status. TD dependents cannot work in the U.S., but they can attend school.
05
Can I change employers while on TN status?
You can change employers, but a new employer generally means a new TN application — for Canadians, a new border application; for Mexican citizens, a new visa process at the consulate. The prearranged job offer requirement applies to the new position just as it did to the first.
06
Does the TN lead to a green card?
No. TN status requires maintaining non-immigrant intent, and it has no built-in path to a green card. TN holders who want to stay permanently need to qualify independently for a different visa category or a green card process.
LATEST INSIGHTS
Recent thinking on TN status.
