What are the TN and E visas?

The TN visa, created under NAFTA and continued through USMCA, lets qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens work in the U.S. in specific professional categories. The initial stay is up to three years with effectively unlimited extensions. The E-1 Treaty Trader visa is for nationals of treaty countries engaged in substantial trade principally between the U.S. and their home country. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa is for nationals of treaty countries making a substantial, at-risk investment in a real and operating U.S. business.

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Key benefits

  • TN: no annual cap, renewable indefinitely, straightforward professional-category qualification.
  • E-1/E-2: no maximum number of extensions, and E-2 allows you to actively develop and direct your own U.S. business.
  • All three are efficient relative to cap-subject categories, with faster typical processing.

Common challenges

  • TN: confirming your role fits a qualifying USMCA professional category and that the position is genuinely temporary (though renewable) and no self-employment.
  • E-1: demonstrating that trade is "substantial" and principally (at least 50%) between the U.S. and the treaty country.
  • E-2: showing the investment is substantial, at risk, and that the business is not marginal — it must generate more than a minimal living for the investor.

Process and timeline

TN status can often be obtained at the port of entry for Canadian citizens, or through consular processing or a USCIS filing depending on your circumstances. E-1/E-2 registrations typically require consular processing or, for those already in the U.S. in another status, a change-of-status filing with USCIS may be possible.

Fees
Service
Flat Attorney Fee (USD)
Notes
Service
E-1 / E-2 treaty trader or investor
Flat Attorney Fee (USD)
From $7,000 new registration
Notes
$3,000–$5,000 for adding executive/essential employees
Service
TN professional (Canadian/Mexican)
Flat Attorney Fee (USD)
$1,500 POE / $2,500 consular / $3,000 USCIS
Notes
+$750 for a management consultant TN

Work with an attorney who handles your case

Many L-1 visa holders ultimately seek permanent residency in the United States, particularly for L-1A executives and managers via the EB-1C category. Please engage an attorney to discuss your unique pathway.

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