U.S. employers in engineering, IT and other technical fields often struggle to fill roles locally. Many do not realize how accessible Canadian talent can be, thanks to the TN status created under the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada (USMCA).
What is TN status?
TN is a work status for Canadian and Mexican citizens working in specific professional occupations listed in the agreement, such as engineers, computer systems analysts, scientists, accountants and several others. It is designed for professional roles with a U.S. employer.
Why employers like it
- Speed: Canadian citizens can generally apply directly at the border or at a U.S. preclearance location, with a job offer letter and proof of qualifications, rather than going through a lottery like the H-1B.
- No annual cap: unlike the H-1B, TN is not limited by a yearly quota.
- Renewable: TN status is granted for up to three years at a time and can be renewed.
What to watch out for
- The role must match one of the listed professions, and the candidate must hold the required degree or credentials.
- The job offer letter must be precise; vague or mismatched job descriptions are a common reason for refusals.
- TN is for temporary work; long-term plans may require a different path.
Every situation is different, so always work with a qualified immigration attorney.
How Findeed helps
Findeed recruits professionals from Canada and Latin America for U.S. employers, in sales, IT and engineering. Together with our immigration partners, we support the process from sourcing to visa to onboarding, and every placement comes with a 12-month guarantee.
Struggling to fill technical roles? Let's talk about hiring across the border.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.