Read the general eligibility basics overview
A household or company may have prior U.S. immigration experience involving a different person or an earlier arrangement. Identify the actual current applicant and documents before assuming the same route applies.
Establish citizenship rather than relying on a Canadian connection
Canadian permanent residence is not citizenship and does not itself qualify a person for TN. TN requires Canadian or Mexican citizenship, a listed profession, prescribed qualifications and qualifying temporary work. An employer’s earlier Canadian hire cannot establish these facts for a replacement employee.
Assess the genuine alternative conditions
E-2 depends on relevant treaty nationality and qualifying enterprise ownership, direction, capital and business conditions. L-1 requires related active businesses, the individual’s qualifying foreign employment and an appropriate U.S. role. A predecessor’s case or family member’s history cannot supply the present applicant’s missing conditions.
Keep each household member’s eligibility current
Identify the actual relationship, age, nationality and intended activities. A prior family trip or a contribution of funds does not create work permission or derivative eligibility. Use genuine current records and the applicable route rather than treating the household as one interchangeable applicant.
What else is on your mind?
Does Canadian permanent residence give me access to TN?Is a matching job title enough for TN?Can years of experience replace a degree for TN?Can my own U.S. company employ me under TN?Editorial source review: 2026-09-08. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.