TN Visa Requirements for U.S. Employers Offering Positions in 2025

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Key Takeaways

• TN visa allows Canadian and Mexican professionals to work in U.S. under USMCA with strict June 2025 rules.
• Only genuine U.S.-based employers can sponsor TN workers; self-employment and foreign company sponsorships are prohibited.
• TN visa requires detailed job offer letters, proper licensing, and education verification for qualifying professions.

The TN Visa: Requirements for U.S. Employers Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

The TN visa is a special work permit that allows certain professionals from Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 to work in the United States 🇺🇸. This visa was created under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the older NAFTA agreement. The TN visa is popular because it offers a faster and simpler way for qualified workers to take jobs in the United States 🇺🇸, especially in fields like science, engineering, healthcare, and business.

TN Visa Requirements for U.S. Employers Offering Positions in 2025

If you are a U.S. employer who wants to hire a Canadian or Mexican professional using the TN visa, there are important rules and steps you must follow. Recent changes in June 2025 have made these requirements stricter, especially about who can offer jobs and what kinds of jobs qualify. This guide explains what U.S. employers need to know, how the process works, and what these changes mean for both employers and workers.

What Is the TN Visa?

The TN visa is a nonimmigrant visa. This means it is for people who want to work in the United States 🇺🇸 for a limited time, not for those who want to become permanent residents. The TN visa is only for citizens of Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 who have job offers in certain professional fields listed in the USMCA. These fields include jobs like engineers, scientists, teachers, accountants, and many others.

The TN visa is different from other work visas because:

It is only for Canadian and Mexican citizens.
The job must be in a specific profession listed in the USMCA.
The process is usually faster and less expensive than other work visas.
The visa can be renewed many times, as long as the worker still qualifies.

Who Can Offer a TN Job? New Rules for U.S. Employers

As of June 2025, there are new rules about who can offer jobs to TN visa applicants. These changes are important for U.S. employers to understand.

1. U.S.-Based Employer or Entity

The employer must be a real, active business or organization based in the United States 🇺🇸. This means:

The company must be registered and operating in the United States 🇺🇸.
Foreign companies, even if they have offices in the United States 🇺🇸, cannot sponsor TN workers unless they are set up as a U.S. entity.
Self-employment is not allowed. A person cannot use the TN visa to work for themselves or as an independent contractor.

This rule is meant to make sure that only real U.S. employers can hire TN workers, not foreign companies or people working for themselves.

2. Job Must Be in a USMCA Profession

The job you offer must be on the official list of professions in the USMCA. Each profession has its own requirements for education and experience. For example:

Engineers must have a degree in engineering.
Accountants must have a degree in accounting or a related field.
Teachers must have the right education and sometimes a teaching license.

The duties of the job must match what is expected for that profession. If the job is not on the list, or if the duties do not match, the TN visa will be denied.

3. Detailed Job Offer Letter

As the employer, you must give the applicant a job offer letter. This letter is very important and must include:

The job title and a clear description of what the worker will do.
The reason for the job (for example, filling a specific role or project).
How long the job will last (it can be full-time or part-time).
What education and experience are needed for the job.

The letter should be on company letterhead and signed by someone with the authority to hire.

4. Licensing and Qualifications

If the job requires a state license (for example, nurses, doctors, or teachers), you must make sure the worker has the license or is eligible to get it. You should include proof of this in the application.

5. No Self-Employment or Independent Contractors

The TN visa is only for jobs where there is a clear employer-employee relationship. This means:

The worker is on your payroll.
You control what work they do and how they do it.
You pay their salary and withhold taxes.

Jobs where the worker is an independent contractor, freelancer, or self-employed do not qualify.

Step-by-Step Process for U.S. Employers

If you want to hire a Canadian or Mexican professional using the TN visa, here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Check If the Job Qualifies

Look at the official USMCA list of professions. Make sure the job you want to fill is on the list.
Check the education and experience requirements for that profession.
Make sure the duties of the job match what is expected for that profession.

Step 2: Prepare the Job Offer Letter

Write a detailed job offer letter. Include the job title, duties, purpose, length of employment, and required qualifications.
Use company letterhead and have it signed by someone with hiring authority.

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents

Proof that your company is a real U.S.-based business (for example, business license, tax documents).
If the worker’s degree is from outside North America, get a professional evaluation to show it is equal to a U.S. degree.
If the job needs a license, include proof that the worker has it or can get it.
If experience is used instead of education, provide detailed letters from past employers.

Step 4: Support the Worker’s Application

The worker applies for the TN visa at a U.S. port-of-entry (for Canadians) or at a U.S. consulate (for Mexicans).
The worker brings the job offer letter and all supporting documents.
Be ready to answer questions or provide more information if asked by U.S. immigration officers.

Step 5: After Approval

The worker can start working for you as soon as the TN visa is approved.
Keep records of the job offer, qualifications, and any licenses.
If you want to extend the worker’s stay, you can file for an extension as long as the job and worker still qualify.

Recent Policy Changes: What’s New in 2025?

The rules for the TN visa have changed in June 2025. Here are the most important updates:

Bona Fide U.S. Employer Requirement

Only real, active U.S.-based employers can sponsor TN workers. Foreign companies, even if they have offices in the United States 🇺🇸, are not allowed unless they are set up as a U.S. entity. This is a big change from before, when some foreign companies could sponsor TN workers.

No Self-Employment

Self-employed people and independent contractors cannot use the TN visa. There must be a real employer-employee relationship.

Expanded Application Locations

TN visa applications can now be made at any Class A port-of-entry, including land borders and international airports with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offices. However, pre-clearance or pre-flight stations are only allowed if they are inside Canada 🇨🇦.

Stricter Documentation

Degrees from outside North America must be professionally evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
If experience is used instead of a degree, detailed letters from past employers are needed.
If a license is required, proof must be included.

Changes for Certain Professions

Scientific Technicians/Technologists: Only support roles in 10 scientific fields qualify. No direct patient care.
Physicians: Only teaching or research roles are allowed, not direct patient care.
Computer Systems Analysts: Can only do some programming as part of their job. Pure programming jobs do not qualify.
Economists: Must do traditional economic analysis. Marketing or financial analysis jobs do not qualify.
Engineers: Must have a degree in engineering that matches the job. IT jobs under this category are likely to be denied.

For a full list of professions and requirements, see the USCIS TN Visa Information.

Why These Changes Matter: Practical Effects

These new rules have real effects on both employers and workers.

For Employers:

You must prove you are a real U.S.-based business.
You cannot use foreign branches or subsidiaries to sponsor TN workers.
You must be careful about the job duties and qualifications, especially in healthcare, science, and IT.
You need to keep good records and be ready to answer questions from immigration officers.

For Workers:

You must have a real job offer from a U.S.-based employer.
You cannot use the TN visa to work for yourself or as a contractor.
You must have the right education, experience, and licenses.
If your degree is from outside North America, you need a professional evaluation.

For Both:

The process is faster and less expensive than other work visas, but the rules are strict.
Mistakes or missing documents can lead to denial.
Legal advice is often helpful, especially for complicated cases.

Real-World Example: Hiring a Canadian Engineer

Let’s say you are a U.S. engineering firm and want to hire a Canadian engineer. Here’s how the process would work:

You check the USMCA list and see that “Engineer” is a qualifying profession.
The Canadian applicant has a degree in civil engineering from a Canadian university.
You write a job offer letter describing the job, duties, and required qualifications.
You provide proof that your company is a real U.S. business.
The applicant brings all documents to a U.S. port-of-entry.
The border officer reviews the documents and approves the TN visa.
The engineer starts working for your company in the United States 🇺🇸.

If the engineer had a degree from Europe, you would need a professional evaluation to show it is equal to a U.S. engineering degree.

Comparing the TN Visa to Other Work Visas

The TN visa is different from other U.S. work visas, such as the H-1B or L-1:

TN visa: Only for Canadian and Mexican citizens in certain professions. No annual cap. No lottery. Fast processing.
H-1B visa: For workers in specialty occupations. Annual cap and lottery system. More paperwork and longer wait times.
L-1 visa: For workers transferring within the same company from abroad to the United States 🇺🇸. Only for multinational companies.

The TN visa is often the best choice for eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals because it is faster and less expensive.

Expert Advice and Common Questions

Can a foreign company with a U.S. office sponsor a TN worker?

No. As of June 2025, only U.S.-based entities can sponsor TN workers. The company must be registered and operating in the United States 🇺🇸.

Can I use the TN visa to work as a freelancer or independent contractor?

No. The TN visa is only for jobs with a real employer-employee relationship.

What if my degree is from outside North America?

You need a professional evaluation to show your degree is equal to a U.S. degree.

Do I need a lawyer?

While it is not required, legal advice can help avoid mistakes, especially for complicated cases or new policy changes.

How long can a TN worker stay in the United States 🇺🇸?

The TN visa is usually granted for up to three years at a time. It can be renewed as long as the job and worker still qualify.

Future Outlook: What’s Next for the TN Visa?

Immigration experts expect more changes and clarifications in the future. The U.S. government may give more details about what counts as a “U.S.-based employer” and how foreign companies with U.S. branches are treated. There may also be more checks on jobs in healthcare and IT to make sure they meet the new rules.

Employers and workers should stay up to date by checking official government websites and, when needed, getting legal advice.

Where to Find More Information

For the most current and official information about the TN visa, visit the USCIS TN Visa Information page. This site has the latest rules, forms, and instructions for both employers and workers.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these updates reflect a move toward stricter enforcement and clearer rules for TN visa jobs, especially about who can offer jobs and what kinds of jobs qualify.

Key Takeaways for U.S. Employers

Only real, active U.S.-based employers can sponsor TN workers.
The job must be on the USMCA list of professions, and the worker must meet all requirements.
A detailed job offer letter and supporting documents are required.
Self-employment and independent contracting are not allowed.
Stay up to date with the latest rules and consider legal advice for complex cases.

By following these steps and understanding the new rules, U.S. employers can successfully hire Canadian and Mexican professionals under the TN visa and help them work legally in the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

TN Visa → A nonimmigrant visa allowing Canadian and Mexican professionals to work temporarily in the United States in specific jobs.
USMCA → United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement replacing NAFTA, defining trade and work visa rules among the three countries.
Employer-Employee Relationship → A legal working connection where an employer controls and pays a worker, required for TN visa jobs.
Professional Evaluation → Assessment to verify if a foreign degree equals a U.S. degree for visa qualification purposes.
Job Offer Letter → A formal company document detailing job duties, duration, and qualifications required for TN visa applications.

This Article in a Nutshell

The TN visa lets Canadian and Mexican professionals work in the U.S. under new strict rules as of June 2025. Only real U.S. employers may sponsor, and jobs must match official USMCA lists with proper documentation to qualify for this faster work permit.
— By VisaVerge.com