Non-Immigrant Visas
TN/TD
USMCA Professionals from Canada & Mexico
A U.S. work visa for Canadian and Mexican professionals.
A TN visa is a temporary U.S. work visa for qualified professionals who are citizens of Canada or Mexico under the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA). It allows them to work in the United States in certain listed occupations, such as engineers, accountants, scientists, and university teachers, for a U.S. employer in a prearranged professional job. TD status is the related dependent classification that allows the TN worker's spouse and unmarried children under 21 to live in the U.S. but not to work.
To obtain TN status, the Canadian or Mexican citizen must have a job offer in a profession that appears in the USMCA list and must meet the specific education or licensing requirements for that occupation, usually a bachelor's degree or higher. The worker must be coming to the U.S. to perform professional‑level business activities for a specific employer, and the entry must be temporary, without the intent to establish permanent residence. TN status is typically granted for up to three years at a time and can be renewed in three‑year increments as long as the professional relationship and temporary intent continue.
Because TN/TD cases require matching the job duties to a listed USMCA profession and clearly documenting qualifications and temporary intent, the employer letter and supporting evidence need careful preparation. ByLaw assists Canadian and Mexican professionals and their U.S. employers by confirming that the position fits a TN category, verifying that the employee's credentials meet USMCA standards, preparing strong application packets for border, consular, or USCIS filings, and advising on long‑term options such as TN‑to‑green‑card strategies. If you are exploring TN or TD status, we can help you prepare the job description and documents, and plan for your longer-term immigration goals.
Eligibility Criteria
Treaty Nationality: You are a citizen of Canada or Mexico and have a job offer in one of the professional occupations listed in the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) TN profession list.
Professional Qualifications: You meet the specific education and licensing requirements for that TN profession, typically holding at least a bachelor's degree or appropriate professional credentials.
Prearranged Employment: You will work in the United States for a particular employer in a prearranged, professional‑level position, with an employer letter detailing your duties, salary, and temporary length of stay.
Nonimmigrant Intent: You intend to enter the U.S. temporarily and can show that you do not plan to establish permanent residence while in TN status (nonimmigrant intent).
TD Dependent Criteria: For TD status, you are the legally married spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a TN worker, you can document that family relationship, and you understand that TD dependents may live and study in the U.S. but are not authorized to work.
“For Canadian and Mexican professionals, TN is one of the fastest and most straightforward paths to US work authorization available.”
How We Help
Our TN/TD Services
TN Eligibility Assessment
Analyzing the proposed position against all USMCA TN occupational categories to confirm eligibility and identify the correct classification before any filing.
Employer Support Letter Drafting
Drafting a comprehensive TN support letter that satisfies CBP requirements, describing the qualifying occupation, duties, credentials, and terms of employment.
Canadian Port-of-Entry Filing Support
Preparing the complete documentation package for Canadian citizens applying at the US border or pre-clearance, including practice questions for the border interview.
Mexican TN Consular Visa Application
Preparing and coordinating the DS-160 consular application and supporting documents for Mexican citizens applying at a US Consulate in Mexico.
TN Extension & Change of Employer
Managing TN extensions filed at the port of entry or via USCIS, and advising on employer changes, concurrent employment, and amendments.
TN to Green Card Transition Planning
Structuring a long-term strategy for TN professionals who wish to pursue permanent residency, including EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, or employer-sponsored EB-2/EB-3 pathways.
How We Work
Our Approach
Occupational Category Confirmation
We review the job offer and the applicant's credentials against USMCA Appendix 2 to confirm TN eligibility and select the appropriate occupational classification.
Documentation Assembly
We prepare the employer support letter and compile the required credential documents, such as degrees, licenses, transcripts, and professional memberships, in the format expected by CBP or the consulate.
Filing (Port of Entry or Consular)
Canadian citizens present the package directly at the US border; Mexican citizens attend a consular interview. We prepare you for questions and provide a complete checklist.
Extensions & Long-Term Strategy
TN status is renewable indefinitely in three-year increments. We advise on timely extensions and, if desired, begin planning the pathway to permanent residency alongside TN maintenance.
TN/TD FAQ
A TN visa is typically granted for up to three years at a time, based on the length of your professional job offer and supporting employer letter. TN status can generally be renewed in additional three‑year increments with no fixed lifetime cap, as long as you continue to qualify for a listed USMCA profession and can show that each stay remains temporary.
Yes, many TN professionals eventually become permanent residents through employment‑based or family‑based green cards, but the process must be managed carefully because TN classification requires nonimmigrant intent. Starting a green‑card case can conflict with that requirement, so the timing, and the choice between consular processing and adjustment of status, need careful planning with an attorney.
No, you cannot operate a self‑employed side business or freelance for other clients on a TN visa unless each role is separately sponsored as a qualifying TN position. TN status only authorizes you to perform prearranged professional services for the specific employer(s) listed in your TN applications, and self‑employment or running your own U.S. business for profit is prohibited.
Under DHS grace‑period rules, TN workers may be admitted to the U.S. up to 10 days before their authorized employment start date and may remain up to 10 days after their TN end date, if granted by the officer. These extra 10‑day periods are for personal preparation and travel only. You cannot work during them, and the exact dates are controlled by what appears on your I‑94 record.
For eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals, the TN visa process is often faster and more flexible than H‑1B because there is no annual lottery, no prevailing‑wage LCA, and same‑day adjudication is sometimes possible at the border or consulate. However, TN is limited to citizens of Canada and Mexico in specific USMCA professions and requires strict nonimmigrant intent, while H‑1B is open to all nationalities in a wider range of specialty‑occupation jobs and offers dual‑intent and a more direct path to a green card.
Let's begin
Ready to start your TN/TD process?
We offer a confidential consultation to understand your situation and outline your options, in English or Türkçe.