The TN visa is a nonimmigrant work visa available exclusively to citizens of Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA in 2020. It allows qualified professionals to work in the United States in a specific list of designated professions without the annual cap or lottery that applies to the H-1B.

Unlike the H-1B, the TN visa does not require the employer to file a petition with USCIS in advance (though employers may choose to do so). Canadian citizens can apply directly at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance location, making the TN one of the fastest paths to U.S. work authorization. Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate before entering.

TN status is granted for an initial period of up to three years and can be renewed indefinitely in three-year increments. There is no maximum cumulative period of stay, though applicants must maintain nonimmigrant intent — a key distinction from the dual-intent H-1B visa.

The TN visa and the H-1B serve similar purposes — authorizing professional work in the United States — but differ in important ways that affect strategy and long-term planning.

The most significant advantage of the TN is that it has no annual cap or lottery. While the H-1B limits annual issuance to 85,000 visas and subjects applicants to a random selection process with selection rates often below 30 percent, the TN has no numerical limit. Qualified professionals can apply at any time.

Processing speed also favors the TN, particularly for Canadian citizens. Canadians can present their documentation at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance facility and receive TN status on the spot — often within hours. By contrast, the H-1B requires employer petition filing, months of USCIS processing, and potentially premium processing fees for expedited review.

The principal disadvantage of the TN is that it is not a dual-intent visa. TN holders must maintain nonimmigrant intent, meaning they cannot openly pursue permanent residence (a green card) while in TN status without risking denial of future TN renewals. The H-1B explicitly permits dual intent, making it the preferred choice for professionals who plan to pursue a green card through their employer.

Additionally, the TN is limited to the specific professions listed under USMCA. While the list is broad, it does not cover every occupation that might qualify as a specialty occupation under the H-1B. Some roles — particularly newer technology positions — may require careful analysis to determine whether they fall within a TN-eligible category.

Seattle's position in the Pacific Northwest — approximately 140 miles south of the Canadian border — creates a natural corridor for cross-border professional talent. Many Canadian citizens live in Vancouver, Victoria, and other British Columbia cities and commute or relocate to Seattle for roles in the technology, engineering, biotech, and consulting sectors.

Major Seattle-area employers including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Boeing, and the University of Washington regularly employ TN visa holders. The region's concentration of engineering, computer systems, management consulting, and scientific roles aligns closely with the USMCA designated professions list.

For Canadian professionals in particular, the TN visa offers a remarkable advantage: the ability to present documentation at the border and begin working in Seattle the same day. This immediacy is unmatched by any other work visa category and makes the TN especially attractive for time-sensitive hiring needs.

For Mexican professionals in Seattle's growing technology sector, the TN provides a cap-free, lottery-free alternative to the H-1B that can be obtained through a consular interview typically within weeks rather than months.

The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a TN visa holder may enter the United States in TD (Treaty Dependent) status. TD status is tied to the principal's TN status and expires on the same date.

TD dependents are permitted to reside in the United States and may enroll in educational programs, but they are not authorized to work. This is a notable limitation compared to the H-4 dependent classification under the H-1B, where certain spouses with an approved I-140 may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

TD status can be obtained at the port of entry (for Canadian dependents), at a consulate (for Mexican dependents), or by filing Form I-539 with USCIS for dependents already in the United States. Extensions of TD status follow the same timeline as the principal's TN renewal.