Skip to content
en
Menu
Back
United StatesWork permitsLast checked October 17, 2026

TN USMCA Professional

formerly TN NAFTA Professional

TN status lets citizens of Canada and Mexico work temporarily in the US in one of the professions listed in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA. The person needs a prearranged job with a US employer or entity and must meet the minimum education or licence rule for that profession. Canadians do not need a visa and can apply at a US port of entry or preclearance station, or through a USCIS petition. Mexicans must first get a TN visa at a US embassy or consulate.

See requirements ↓
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Your edge here Members

What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties

Get started

Working in your field Members

Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here

Get started

Who it’s for

Canadian and Mexican citizens with a degree or listed professional credential who have a prearranged professional job offer from a US employer or entity.

Eligibility

  • Canadian or Mexican citizen

    Only citizens of Canada or Mexico can hold TN status. Permanent residents of those countries who are not citizens are not covered.

  • Listed USMCA profession

    Your job must be in a profession listed in Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of Chapter 16 of the USMCA.

    • Examples: accountant, architect, engineer, lawyer, registered nurse, pharmacist
    • Many scientist roles are listed, such as biologist, chemist, geologist, physicist
    • College, seminary or university teachers are listed
    • Physicians are covered only for teaching or research
    Official wording

    The job must be in one of the professions in Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of Chapter 16 of the USMCA. The list includes, for example, accountant, architect, computer systems analyst, economist, engineer, graphic designer, hotel manager, lawyer, management consultant, mathematician and actuary, scientific technician, social worker, technical publications writer, urban planner, dentist, pharmacist, physiotherapist, registered nurse, veterinarian, many scientist roles (biologist, chemist, geologist, physicist and others), and college, seminary or university teacher. Physicians are covered only for teaching or research.

  • Minimum qualification for the profession

    Show the minimum qualification for your listed profession, usually a degree, with some exceptions.

    Experience-based alternatives

    Diploma or certificateplus experience
    2 years post-secondary
    Experience with diplomasome professions
    3 years
    Management consultant
    5 years
    • Most professions need a baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
    • Some accept a state or provincial licence instead
    • Diploma route covers graphic designer, interior designer, hotel manager
    • Also covers medical technologist and technical publications writer
    Official wording

    Most listed professions need a baccalaureate or licenciatura degree. Some accept a state or provincial licence instead. A few (such as graphic designer, interior designer, hotel manager, medical technologist and technical publications writer) accept a two-year post-secondary diploma or certificate plus 3 years of experience. Management consultants may rely on 5 years of experience instead of a degree.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementPrearranged job with a US employer or entity
  • Document checklistProof of citizenship (Canadian proof of citizenship, or valid Mexican passport)
  • FeesTN visa application fee (Mexican citizens)

The full requirements are for members

Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.

  • 7 more requirements
  • 9 documents
  • 6 fees
  • 7 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
Get started See plansSign in

Places to visit in United States

Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.

Subscriber feature

Finding places for you…

Official sources

Was this page helpful? Helpful Report a concern

Other routes to United States

All routes to United States →

Work permits in other countries