TN Visa Lawyer for Canadian and Mexican Professionals in Houston, TX

The TN (Trade NAFTA, now USMCA) visa allows qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the United States in one of 63 designated professional occupations listed under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. At Prosperity Immigration Law, our immigration team, led by attorney Luis F. Hess, helps Canadian and Mexican nationals and their U.S. employers navigate TN eligibility, documentation, and the USCIS guidance updates that tightened eligibility standards.

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What Is the TN Visa?

The TN nonimmigrant classification was created under the original NAFTA in 1994 and preserved under the USMCA, which took effect in July 2020.

It permits nationals of Canada and Mexico, and only these two countries, to work for a U.S. employer in a prearranged, full-time or part-time role in one of the 63 designated professional occupations.

TN status is granted in three-year increments with no limit on renewals, provided the position remains genuinely temporary. Self-employment is not permitted.

Canadians apply directly at a U.S. port of entry, no consulate visit and no USCIS petition required. The CBP officer adjudicates the request on the spot. Mexican nationals must obtain a TN visa stamp at a U.S. consulate in Mexico before entering.

The 63 USMCA TN Occupations

Only the 63 occupations listed in USMCA Appendix 1603.D.1 qualify. If an occupation is not on this list, TN status is unavailable regardless of the applicant’s credentials. The list spans six broad areas:

General Professions

Accountant, Computer Systems Analyst, Economist, Engineer, Graphic Designer, Hotel Manager, Interior Designer, Landscape Architect, Lawyer, Librarian, Management Consultant, Mathematician, Range Manager, Scientific Technician/Technologist, Social Worker, Technical Publications Writer, Urban Planner, Vocational Counselor, and others.

Medical and Allied Professions

Dentist, Dietitian, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist, Pharmacist, Physician (teaching or research only, direct patient care not permitted), Physical Therapist, Psychologist, Registered Nurse, Veterinarian.

Scientists

Agriculturalist, Biochemist, Biologist, Chemist, Epidemiologist, Geneticist, Geologist, Geophysicist, Horticulturist, Meteorologist, Pharmacologist, Physicist, and related scientific disciplines.

Teachers

College, seminary, or university level only.

Most categories require at least a bachelor’s degree (baccalaureate or licenciatura) in a directly related field. Nine categories accept a post-secondary diploma plus three years of relevant experience as an alternative. Management Consultant is the only category that may qualify solely on substantial professional experience.

Eligibility Requirements for the TN Visa

To qualify for TN classification, the following must all apply:

Canadian or Mexican citizenship: Permanent residents of Canada or Mexico who are nationals of other countries are not eligible for TN status.
Qualifying occupation: The actual duties of the position must match one of the 63 USMCA occupations, not just the job title. Since June 2025, officers evaluate whether the specific duties performed align with the USMCA definition of the occupation.
Required credentials: The applicant must hold the degree, license, or alternative qualification specified for the occupation. Since June 2025, experience can no longer substitute for a required degree in categories that mandate a bachelor’s degree.
Prearranged U.S. employer: A U.S.-based entity must have offered a specific position. Since June 2025, foreign-based companies with U.S. operations can no longer sponsor TN applicants, only U.S.-based entities qualify.
Temporary position: The role must be genuinely temporary in nature. TN is not designed for permanent positions, if the role has become permanent, a different visa category applies. Ready to Get Started? Contact Us Today

How to Apply for a TN Visa: Step by Step

1. Step 1 – Confirm occupation eligibility: Verify that the actual job duties match a listed USMCA occupation and that the applicant holds the required credential. This is the most critical step – arriving at the border with a mismatch is a common denial reason.
2. Step 2 – Obtain the employer support letter: The U.S. employer prepares a detailed letter describing the professional capacity in which the applicant will work, the temporary nature of the position, the anticipated duration, and the applicant’s qualifications. This letter is the most scrutinized document in any Canadian TN application.
3. Step 3 – Gather credential documentation: Degree transcripts, diploma, professional licenses, or alternative qualification evidence. Foreign degrees from outside Canada, Mexico, or the U.S. must be accompanied by a credentials evaluation from a recognized service.
4. Step 4 – Apply:
   
   1. Canadian citizens: Present the complete package directly to a CBP officer at a designated port of entry or pre-clearance station. No advance USCIS filing. The officer adjudicates on the spot.
   2. Mexican nationals: Complete Form DS-160, pay the MRV fee, schedule a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico, and present the supporting documentation at the interview.
5. Step 5 – Enter and maintain status: Each TN admission is valid for up to three years. Extensions (additional three-year periods) are filed with CBP at the port of entry (Canadians) or with USCIS via Form I-129 (Mexican nationals or those already in the U.S.).

What Our Clients Say

• “I had an exceptional experience working with the Prosperity Immigration Law team. Their deep knowledge of employment-based immigration cases, coupled with their clear communication and meticulous approach, made the entire process seamless and stress-free. I felt fully supported at each step, confident that I was receiving top-tier legal guidance from true experts in the field.” – Tunde D.

• “We highly recommend Prosperity Immigration Law for helping process my Immigrant visa from the initial application till the issuance of my green card. They did a great job for my case considering we are based overseas. When we started the process, communication and documentation were done remotely with zero issues at all. Staff assigned to my case are very responsive and coordinate us in a prompt and timely manner. Everything happened in perfect timing.” – Roselyn P.

• “This firm is compassionate, well-organized, and truly committed to their clients. If you’re looking for an immigration team that treats you like a person – not just a case – I highly recommend them. Huge thanks to Yakelin and Irving for being absolutely amazing!” – Tulia R.

• “Thank you to this entire team of professionals who took our case until the approval of our EB-1A visa. They always responded immediately to our calls and questions about it. Our case was taken step by step with the expertise that these procedures require. You can find from the reception the warmth and knowledge of your areas of work, which makes this equipment totally homogeneous, effective and efficient. Thank you so much and we recommend you as THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYERS.” – Diego R.

Why Choose Prosperity Immigration Law

We know the process inside and out: Immigration rules change constantly, new policies, updated fee schedules, shifting processing times. We stay current so our clients do not have to. We approach every case honestly: If an application faces real obstacles, we say so upfront. Our job is to give you a clear picture of where you stand and the most realistic path forward, not to tell you what you want to hear. We handle the details so you do not have to: From document checklists to filing deadlines, we manage every moving part of your case so nothing is missed and nothing is late. We think beyond the current application: A visa is rarely the end goal, it is a step toward something larger. We help clients think ahead so that today’s filing supports tomorrow’s options, not the other way around. Schedule Your Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About the TN Visa

Is there a cap on TN visas? Collapse

No. The TN category has no annual numerical cap and is not subject to a lottery. Applications may be submitted at any time, there is no registration window.

Is TN a dual-intent visa? Expand

No. TN requires demonstrating temporary intent, the position must be temporary and the applicant must intend to return home. Openly pursuing a green card can jeopardize TN status. Long-term residency planning on a TN requires careful strategy; we address this in our initial consultations.

My job title is not on the TN list. Can I still qualify? Expand

Possibly, if your actual duties align with a listed occupation. Software engineers, for example, are often categorized under “Computer Programmer” or “Computer Systems Analyst.” The employer letter must explain how the position’s duties map to a recognized USMCA category.

What changed under the June 2025 USCIS guidance? Collapse

Three key changes: only U.S.-based entities may now sponsor TN applicants; experience can no longer substitute for a required bachelor’s degree in degree-mandatory categories; and officers are evaluating actual job duties more strictly against USMCA occupation definitions, not just job titles.

How long can I stay in the U.S. on a TN visa? Expand

TN status is typically granted for up to three years at a time. It can be renewed indefinitely in three-year increments, as long as the employment remains temporary and you continue to meet eligibility requirements. Each renewal requires updated supporting documentation from the employer.

Can a TN visa holder change employers? Expand

Yes. However, you cannot simply start working for a new employer. The new employer must file a new TN application or petition before you begin employment. You must be approved under the new employer before you are authorized to work for them.

Ready to Get Started? Contact Us Today

Ready to Start Your TN Visa Process? Contact Our TN Visa Lawyer in Houston Today

Small details can determine whether a TN application is approved or delayed. From border applications to consular processing, TN filings require precision at every step. We help professionals understand their eligibility and prepare the right documentation before submission.

Schedule a consultation to move forward with confidence.

Our Offices

Houston
7322 Southwest Fwy, Tower One, 4th Floor, Suite 470
Houston, TX 77074
(281) 545-3607 Harris County
21815 Oak Park Trails Dr,
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 801-5726 The Woodlands
282 Ed English Dr,
Shenandoah, TX 77385
(281) 949-7126