How the TN Visa Enables Professional Mobility Across USMCA Countries

Key Takeaways

• USCIS updated TN visa rules in June 2025, tightening eligibility and application procedures for certain professions.
• Canadian applicants can apply at ports of entry; Mexican applicants must apply at U.S. consulates or USCIS.
• Stricter scrutiny affects Scientific Technicians, Technologists, and Engineers; family members can enter on TD visas but cannot work.

As of July 17, 2025, the TN visa remains a key tool for professionals from Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 who want to work in the United States 🇺🇸. This visa, created under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), helps skilled workers move across borders for jobs in specific fields. Recent changes in USCIS Policy have made it important for both applicants and employers to understand the new rules, who is affected, and what steps to take next. Here’s a detailed update on what’s changed, who needs to act, and what these changes mean for current and future TN visa applicants.

Summary of Recent Changes

USCIS Policy Updates (June 2025):
– The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Manual to clarify who can get a TN visa and how to apply.
– The new rules focus on making sure only people with the right jobs and qualifications can use the TN visa.
– Some professions, like Scientific Technicians/Technologists and Engineers, now face stricter checks.
– The policy stresses that the job must be with a U.S. employer or business.

Application Procedures:
– Canadian citizens can still apply for TN status at U.S. ports of entry, pre-clearance locations, or by filing a petition with USCIS.
– Mexican citizens must apply at a U.S. consulate or, if already in the U.S., by filing a petition with USCIS.
– The list of jobs that qualify for the TN visa has not changed, but the rules about what counts as a qualifying job are now stricter.

Eligibility and Documentation:
– Applicants need a job offer in a profession listed under the USMCA and must meet the required qualifications.
– The new policy makes it clear that some jobs, like patient care support and most IT positions, do not count under the Engineer category.
– Applicants must provide more detailed documents to prove they qualify.

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

Canadian and Mexican Professionals:
– Anyone from Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽 who wants to work in the United States 🇺🇸 under the TN visa program is affected.
– People working in jobs that are now under stricter review, like Scientific Technicians/Technologists and Engineers, will face more questions and need to show more proof.

Employers in the United States:
– U.S. employers who want to hire Canadian or Mexican professionals using the TN visa must make sure the job fits the new rules.
– Employers need to provide clear job descriptions and proof that the job matches a USMCA-listed profession.

Current TN Visa Holders:
– If you already have a TN visa and want to change jobs or employers, you must make sure the new job still fits the updated rules.
– Those with pending applications may need to provide extra documents or answer more questions.

Family Members:
– Family members (spouse and children) of TN visa holders can still come to the United States 🇺🇸 on a TD visa, but they are not allowed to work.

Effective Dates

• The new USCIS Policy changes took effect in June 2025.
• All new TN visa applications and pending cases will be reviewed under these updated rules.
• If you applied before June 2025 and your case is still pending, you may be asked for more documents or information.

Required Actions for Applicants and Employers

For Applicants:
1. Check the USMCA Profession List: Make sure your job offer is in a profession that qualifies for the TN visa. The full list is available on the USCIS TN NAFTA Professionals page.
2. Review Your Qualifications: Double-check that you meet all the education and experience requirements for your profession.
3. Prepare Documentation: Gather proof of your citizenship, job offer letter, diplomas, licenses, and any other documents that show you qualify.
4. Apply in the Right Place:
– Canadians: You can apply at a U.S. port of entry, pre-clearance location, or by filing Form I-129 with USCIS. Form I-129 official link
– Mexicans: You must apply at a U.S. consulate or, if already in the U.S., by filing Form I-129 with USCIS.
5. Be Ready for Extra Questions: If your job is in a field now under stricter review, be prepared to provide more details about your duties and qualifications.

For Employers:
– Update Job Descriptions: Make sure your job offer letters clearly describe the duties and how they match the USMCA profession list.
– Check Employee Qualifications: Confirm that your candidate meets all the requirements for the job.
– Prepare for More Scrutiny: Be ready to provide extra documents or explanations if USCIS asks for them.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you have a TN visa application pending as of June 2025, here’s what you need to know:
– Requests for Evidence (RFEs): USCIS may send you a request for more documents or information if your job is in a profession now under stricter review.
– Longer Processing Times: Because of the new rules, some cases may take longer to process, especially for jobs like Scientific Technicians/Technologists and Engineers.
– Possible Denials: If your job or qualifications do not meet the new standards, your application may be denied.

What Hasn’t Changed

• Length of Stay: TN visa holders can still work in the United States 🇺🇸 for up to three years at a time, with the option to renew as long as the job remains temporary.
• Family Members: Spouses and children can still come to the United States 🇺🇸 on a TD visa, but they cannot work.
• Change of Employer or Status: TN visa holders can change jobs or employers, but the new job must also fit the TN visa rules.

Detailed Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Determine Eligibility
   • Make sure your job offer is in a profession listed under the USMCA.
   • Check that you have the right degree, license, or experience for the job.
2. Gather Documentation
   • Proof of citizenship (passport)
   • Job offer letter from a U.S. employer
   • Diplomas, licenses, or certificates
   • Resume or CV
   • Any other documents required for your profession

1. Apply for TN Status
   • For Canadians:
     • Apply at a U.S. port of entry or pre-clearance location by presenting your documents to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
     • Or, have your employer file Form I-129 with USCIS if you are already in the United States 🇺🇸.
   • For Mexicans:
     • Apply at a U.S. consulate in Mexico 🇲🇽 by scheduling a visa interview and presenting your documents.
     • Or, if you are already in the United States 🇺🇸, your employer can file Form I-129 with USCIS.
2. Attend Interview or Border Inspection
   • Answer questions about your job, qualifications, and plans in the United States 🇺🇸.
   • Provide any extra documents if asked.
3. Receive TN Status
   • If approved, you can start working for your U.S. employer in the TN profession listed on your application.
4. Bring Family Members (Optional)
   • Spouse and children can apply for TD visas to join you in the United States 🇺🇸.

Key Professions and Restrictions

The TN visa is only for certain jobs listed in the USMCA. Some of the most common professions include:
– Accountants
– Engineers
– Scientists
– Teachers
– Medical professionals (but not all healthcare jobs qualify)

Recent Restrictions:
– Most IT jobs do not qualify under the Engineer category.
– Patient care support roles are not allowed under the TN visa.
– Scientific Technicians/Technologists must show a close connection to a qualifying profession and cannot work in unrelated fields.

Why These Changes Matter

The new USCIS Policy aims to make sure the TN visa is used only for its intended purpose: to let qualified professionals from Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 work in the United States 🇺🇸 in specific jobs. By tightening the rules, USCIS wants to prevent misuse and keep the program focused on real professional needs.

For applicants, this means you must be extra careful to show that your job and qualifications fit the rules. For employers, it means you need to be clear and detailed in your job offers and ready to answer questions from immigration officers.

Expert Perspectives

Immigration attorneys say these changes make it even more important to get legal advice before applying. Lawyers can help you:
– Check if your job qualifies under the new rules
– Gather the right documents
– Prepare for possible questions or requests for more information

Employers also need to work closely with their HR and legal teams to make sure they are following the new rules. Mistakes or missing documents can lead to delays or denials.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these policy updates reflect a growing trend toward stricter checks and more detailed documentation for all employment-based visas, not just the TN visa. This means everyone involved needs to pay close attention to the latest rules and be ready to act quickly if more information is needed.

Future Outlook

There are ongoing talks about updating the TN visa program to include new and emerging professions, especially in technology and healthcare. Some experts hope the list of qualifying jobs will grow to match changes in the job market. Others want the application process to be simpler and faster.

However, political changes in the United States 🇺🇸 or in Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 could affect the future of the TN visa. For now, the program remains a strong option for cross-border professional work, but everyone should watch for more updates.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

If you are planning to apply for a TN visa, or if you are an employer looking to hire someone using this program, here’s what you should do now:
– Stay Informed: Check the USCIS TN NAFTA Professionals page regularly for the latest updates.
– Review Your Case: Make sure your job and qualifications fit the new rules.
– Gather Documents Early: Start collecting all the papers you need before you apply.
– Get Legal Help if Needed: If you are unsure about your case, talk to an immigration attorney.
– Respond Quickly to USCIS: If you get a request for more information, answer as soon as possible to avoid delays.

For employers, review your hiring practices and make sure your job offers are clear and detailed. Work with your HR and legal teams to prepare for possible questions from immigration officers.

Conclusion

The TN visa, under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, continues to help skilled workers from Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 find jobs in the United States 🇺🇸. The recent USCIS Policy changes mean stricter checks and more paperwork, especially for certain professions. By understanding the new rules, gathering the right documents, and staying up to date, both applicants and employers can keep using the TN visa to support cross-border professional work. Always check official sources and consider legal advice to make sure your application is as strong as possible.

Learn Today

TN Visa → Temporary work permit for Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA to work in the U.S.
USMCA → United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade agreement defining TN visa eligibility and rules.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency managing immigration and visa policies.
Request for Evidence (RFE) → A USCIS notice requiring additional documents to verify visa application eligibility or qualifications.
Form I-129 → Petition form employers file with USCIS for nonimmigrant workers, including TN visa applicants.

This Article in a Nutshell

The TN visa under USMCA remains vital for Canadian and Mexican professionals working in the U.S. New USCIS rules impose stricter job eligibility and documentation requirements, especially for engineers and technicians. Applicants and employers must understand updated policies to avoid delays, ensure compliance, and maintain professional cross-border mobility.
— By VisaVerge.com