TN

The TN visa is one of the fastest ways for Canadian and Mexican professionals to start working in the United States. Created under NAFTA (now the USMCA), it allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the US in specific professional occupations without the need for a traditional visa petition.

For Canadians, the process is remarkably simple: you can apply directly at a US port of entry or airport with your job offer letter, credentials, and proof of Canadian citizenship. There's no need to file a petition with USCIS in advance. Many Canadians receive approval on the spot and start working the same week.

Mexican citizens follow a slightly different process, they need to obtain a TN visa stamp at a US consulate before entering. But the overall process is still much faster and simpler than the H-1B.

The TN visa covers a specific list of 63 professional occupations, including engineers, scientists, accountants, computer systems analysts, management consultants, and more. If your profession is on the list, the TN is hard to beat for speed and simplicity.

The TN is for Canadian and Mexican citizens who have a US job offer in one of the listed USMCA professional categories. You'll need at least a bachelor's degree (for most categories) or relevant professional credentials, and your role must match the job description for the listed occupation.

It's especially popular with Canadian tech workers, engineers, and consultants who want to move to the US quickly. Because there's no lottery and (for Canadians) no advance petition, you can go from job offer to working in the US in days. The main limitation is that TN status doesn't lead directly to a green card, though many TN holders later transition to H-1B or O-1A as a bridge to permanent residency.