TN visa

BAL helps simplify the TN visa process for employer sponsors hiring foreign national talent from Canada and Mexico.  

What is a TN visa?

The TN nonimmigrant visa allows qualified Canadian and Mexican foreign nationals to temporarily work in the United States under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The TN-1 visa is for Canadian citizens and the TN-2 visa is for Mexican citizens. Both visa categories have the same eligibility requirements.

TN visa requirements

  1. The beneficiary must have Canadian or Mexican citizenship.
  2. The profession is listed in the USMCA regulation.
  3. The U.S. position requires a USMCA professional.
  4. The U.S. employer must prearrange a full-time or part-time position.
  5. The beneficiary must hold the necessary qualifications to practice the specific profession.
 

Sponsor Canadian and Mexican USMCA professionals with a TN visa

BAL’s TN visa attorneys provide exceptional expertise and superior service to help employers hire temporary talent from Canada and Mexico.

Our immigration experts support you at every step to streamline the journey from petition to approval to entering the U.S. We also provide guidance for those employees requiring consular appointments, help address the visa needs of dependent family members when applicable and file the necessary extensions to ensure employers maintain quality and continuity in their workforce.

 

Build your TN temporary workforce with confidence

BAL is specially equipped to support companies of all sizes across all industries including agriculture, banking, finance, construction, consumer goods, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, science and technology.

“The process was smooth and I was updated at every stage. The team was very responsive. So far in my 16 years of experience with 8 employers, this was the best experience.”
– Foreign national employee of a BAL client
“I appreciate the professionalism, responsiveness and immigration clarity of the entire BAL global team. I especially like the chat@balglobal.com for being extremely responsive.”
– Foreign national employee of a BAL client
“I am extremely impressed with [BAL’s] immigration team for their outstanding and professional service in handling my extension. They guided me through every step with patience, addressing all of my questions and promptly responding to my emails, making the entire process smooth and stress-free.”
– Foreign national employee of a BAL client
“All was great. The embassy commended how organized the file was.”
– Foreign national employee of a BAL client

Talk to a TN visa attorney about sponsoring workers through the TN visa program

Why work with our TN visa experts?

Immigration is all we do

Since 1980, our sole focus has been helping businesses acquire top talent from around the world.

Technology built for corporate immigration

Our award-winning, proprietary technology streamlines complex processes, ensures compliance and enables our legal teams to consistently deliver exceptional service.

Incomparable legal expertise in TN visas

Our deep bench of legal experts is made up of leading immigration attorneys committed to the best interests of our clients.

TN visa FAQ

Who qualifies for a TN visa?

To be eligible for a TN visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The beneficiary must have Canadian or Mexican citizenship.
  • The profession is listed in the USMCA regulation.
  • The U.S. position requires a USMCA professional.
  • The U.S. employer must prearrange a full-time or part-time position.
  • The beneficiary must hold the necessary qualifications to practice the specific profession.

Is the TN visa limited to a specific number of visas in each fiscal year?

No. The TN visa is not limited to a specific number of available visas in each fiscal year.

How long can an employer get an extension for an employee on a TN visa?

TN work authorization can be extended in increments of up to three years at a time.

How long can you stay in the U.S. on a TN visa?

There is no maximum number of years that a foreign national can remain in TN status. TN work authorization can be extended in increments of up to three years at a time.

Do Canadian citizens require a visa to enter the U.S. under TN-1 classification?

Canadian citizens do not require a visa stamp in order to enter the U.S. As a result, they may establish TN eligibility at the time they seek admission to the U.S. by presenting the required documentation to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at certain designated U.S. ports of entry and pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection stations.

This means that employers seeking to employ Canadian TN foreign nationals do not generally need to submit a Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Canadian TN beneficiary does not need to attend a visa interview with the U.S. Department of State.

Where can Mexican citizens obtain a TN visa?

Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa stamp from the U.S. Department of State to enter the U.S. in TN classification. This means the TN foreign national will need to apply for the TN visa stamp directly at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mexico. Once the foreign national receives their TN visa stamp, they can apply for admission to the U.S. at certain designated U.S. ports of entry and pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection stations.

Is the TN visa limited to a specific number of visas in each fiscal year?

No. The TN visa is not limited to a specific number of available visas in each fiscal year.

What is the difference between a TN-1 and TN-2 visa?

The TN-1 visa is for Canadian citizens and the TN-2 visa is for Mexican citizens. Both visa categories have the same eligibility requirements.

What is the difference between an H-1B and a TN visa?

The TN visa is a nonimmigrant visa classification, specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the U.S. temporarily. The employer must prearrange a full-time or part-time job offer for a profession listed in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, formerly known as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa classification for foreign nationals working in specialty occupations. The employer must obtain a certified Labor Condition Application attesting adherence to certain Department of Labor requirements.