What is TN?
The TN visa is a non-immigrant work visa category under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to enter the U.S. temporarily for professional business activities. It is intended for qualified professionals in specific occupations.

Source or Regulation of TN Visa
Initially established under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the TN visa program remained unchanged when NAFTA was replaced by USMCA on July 1, 2020.
The list of qualifying professional occupations is outlined in USMCA Chapter 16, Appendix 2, which is identical to Appendix 1603.D.1 under NAFTA.
The federal regulation governing TN admission is found at 8 CFR 214.6(c).

Understanding the Different TN Categories
The TN visa occupations are grouped into four broad categories, each with specific educational and licensing requirements:

• General Occupations (e.g., Accountant, Engineer, Lawyer, Management Consultant)
• Medical Occupations (e.g., Dentist, Pharmacist, Registered Nurse, Physician for teaching/research)
• Scientist Occupations (e.g., Biologist, Chemist, Mathematician, Physicist)
• Teaching Occupations (e.g., University Professor, Seminary Teacher)

Most require at least a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in the relevant field.
Some professions allow alternative qualifications, such as professional certifications or a combination of post-secondary education and work experience.
Licensing requirements apply to certain professions (e.g., lawyers, architects).

Key Takeaways
Application process remains streamlined: Canadians can apply at U.S. ports of entry, while Mexicans need a visa from a U.S. consulate.Initial TN status is valid for up to 3 years and can be renewed indefinitely in three-year increments.

By: Jiaqi Ji, Associate Attorney

Jiaqi Ji is an Associate Attorney at Reddy Neumann Brown PC who primarily focuses on employment-based non-immigrant visa cases. Jiaqi was born and raised in China, fluent in both English & Chinese. She came to the United States for higher legal education and went through the employment-based immigration process with her spouse. Jiaqi earned her Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School.