Can Canadians Apply for TN Status at Ports During a Shutdown?

(U.S. (PORTS OF ENTRY AT CANADA/U.S. BORDER)) Canadian citizens seeking TN status can still apply directly at U.S. ports of entry, even during the October 2025 government shutdown. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are classified as essential, and their inspection and admission work continues.

As of October 1, 2025, CBP officers are processing TN applications at land ports, airports with preclearance in Canada 🇨🇦, and other designated locations. While core services remain open, some support roles may be furloughed, which can slow processing and limit phone or secondary support. Applicants should bring complete paperwork and check the local port before traveling.

CBP vs. Consulates: Why the Difference Matters

CBP operations at the border are distinct from U.S. consulates. This difference matters most for Mexican nationals, who must first secure a TN visa from a U.S. consulate in Mexico.

• Consular services may face staffing or appointment limits during a shutdown, so delays are possible.
• Once a Mexican citizen has a valid TN visa in their passport, CBP can inspect and, if eligible, admit them in TN status at the border.
• The border inspection step continues because CBP’s mission is considered essential for the United States 🇺🇸.

VisaVerge.com reports that applicants are seeing continued TN processing at ports of entry during the shutdown, but some are waiting longer in secondary inspection. Real-world reports match federal guidance that CBP’s law enforcement and inspection functions continue even when other agencies scale back. That guidance covers both first-time TN applications and admissions for those who already hold TN status.

How Canadian TN Applications Work at the Border

CBP officers at the ports adjudicate TN applications for Canadians in real time. This is a same-day process in most cases, but waiting times can increase if staffing is tight.

Typical steps and checks include:
1. Standard questions about the job and intent.
2. Review of the job offer letter.
3. Verification that the profession is eligible under the USMCA/NAFTA list.
4. Confirmation of degrees, licenses, or other qualifications.

If the officer is satisfied, admission in TN status typically follows on the spot. No visa is required for Canadians applying directly at the border.

Procedural Path for Mexican Applicants

Mexican applicants face a two-step path:
1. Visa interview at a U.S. consulate in Mexico.
2. Border inspection by CBP once the visa is in the passport.

During a government shutdown:
– Consulates can stay open at reduced levels, but appointment availability, printing, or courier services may slow.
– As of October 1, 2025, there was no formal announcement of a full stop to TN visa services, but delays should be expected.
– If the visa is already in the passport and valid, CBP can process admission as usual at the port.

Changes to USCIS and DOL Impact

For Canadians inside the U.S. who need to change status to TN without leaving, USCIS continues to accept and process Form I-129 petitions because USCIS is fee-funded. This service is largely unaffected by the shutdown.

• Form and instructions: Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
• Note: TN classification does not require Department of Labor (DOL) filings, so DOL closures generally do not impact TN processing. If a case requires DOL input for other reasons, those steps could be delayed.

A June 2025 update to the USCIS Policy Manual reaffirmed a key rule: TN status is employer- and job-specific. A material change (new employer, new professional role, or duties that no longer fit a listed profession) requires a new TN application.

• Canadians: may file a new border application with CBP or a petition with USCIS.
• Mexicans: generally need a new consular visa if the employer or role changes and their prior visa no longer matches the new job.

Practical Tips: Prepare for Longer Waits and Reduced Support

Applicants should prepare for longer waits at some ports of entry, especially during peak hours. Support staff who help with document intake or secondary processing may be furloughed, even though frontline officers remain on duty.

• Bring organized, clear documentation. Officers have limited time; a clean packet can avoid back-and-forth and reduce the chance of a deferral.
• Expect some ports to have reduced phone or secondary support.

Key documents for Canadians applying at the border

• Detailed employer letter describing job title, duties, worksite, salary, and the TN profession from the USMCA list.
• Proof of qualifications (degree, transcripts, licenses, professional memberships), with translations if needed.
• Valid passport and any prior U.S. status documents.
• Evidence of nonimmigrant intent, if facts are close (ties to residence abroad).

Documents for Mexican applicants

• Same set for the consular interview, plus required visa forms and fees.
• After visa issuance, carry the same employment and education evidence to present at CBP, along with the valid TN visa.

How to Reduce Surprises During the Shutdown

• Call or email the port in advance to check current hours for TN processing, any limited days for secondary review, or unusual delays. CBP’s port contacts: CBP Ports of Entry Contact Information.
• Avoid cutting it close on start dates. Allow extra time for possible holds in secondary inspection or port-specific backlogs.
• Confirm employer readiness. Officers sometimes ask for a supervisor’s phone number for quick verification. Ensure your employer knows you are applying and can answer calls.

Short Case Examples

• Canadian engineer: Drives to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel with a degree, offer letter, and passport. Despite longer lines, CBP confirms “Engineer” is on the professions list and admits her in TN status the same day. Delay is mostly waiting time, not a service stop.
• Mexican economist: Schedules a TN visa appointment at a U.S. consulate in Mexico. The consulate reduces non-urgent slots during the shutdown, pushing his interview out. The delay occurs at the consulate stage; once he receives the visa, CBP at a Texas land port can admit him in TN status if documents check out.

Travel Planning and Risk Management

• Canadians with current TN status who leave and re-enter can still be inspected, but should carry updated employment letters in case officers ask for new proof.
• Mexican nationals with valid TN visas can travel and return, but should avoid trips that risk visa expiration before they can get a new appointment.
• If a visa foil is close to expiring, consider deferring travel until after renewal.

Policy Context and Final Notes

• TN is a work authorization for certain listed professions under the former NAFTA, now the USMCA.
• TN is not a path to a green card by itself and requires nonimmigrant intent (intend to leave when TN ends).
• These rules did not change because of the shutdown; what changed is the pace of some services.

Monitor agency updates from official sources:
– CBP Ports of Entry Contact Information
– USCIS: TN (NAFTA) Professionals
– U.S. Department of State – Visa Information

The most important point: CBP continues to handle TN admissions at ports of entry during the government shutdown. This applies to both first-time Canadian applicants and admissions for those who already hold TN visas or status. Officers may ask more questions if documents are thin or duties do not match a listed profession — so bring clear, accurate papers to speed decisions.

Procedural Differences (Quick Summary)

• Canadians:
  • No visa required; apply at the border or preclearance with a complete packet.
  • Processing is usually same-day.
  • If inside the U.S. and changing status, file Form I-129 with USCIS: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129
• Mexicans:
  • TN visa required from a U.S. consulate before presenting at CBP.
  • Consular delays possible during the shutdown; once visa issued, CBP remains operational for admission.
  • Check consular announcements at https://travel.state.gov

Employers should prepare firm, detailed letters mapping job duties to the TN profession and confirm the worksite. If duties or employer change, consider whether a new TN filing or consular visa is required.

Finally, keep travel plans flexible. Shutdowns can change quickly. Verify your port’s status the day before travel, travel with complete documentation, and build in extra time — doing so will help ensure TN processing at the border continues to function even when other parts of the system slow down.