Read the general eligibility basics overview
A household or business group can include people with different citizenship and employment histories. Assess the actual proposed applicant rather than assuming everyone has the same U.S. options.
Identify whose citizenship supports the TN proposal
Canadian permanent residence is not Canadian citizenship. TN requires Canadian or Mexican citizenship as well as a listed profession, prescribed qualifications and qualifying temporary work. A colleague’s eligibility or a spouse’s passport does not establish the principal applicant’s citizenship requirement.
Keep the alternative route tests separate
E-2 requires relevant treaty nationality and qualifying enterprise ownership, direction, capital and business conditions. L-1 examines related active businesses, the person’s qualifying foreign employment and the actual U.S. role. Do not combine one person’s employment history with another person’s ownership to describe an applicant who does not exist.
Plan dependents as individual people
Record each person’s relationship, age, nationality and intended activities. A principal’s qualifying route can provide a basis to assess eligible dependents, but it does not make every household member a principal or automatically authorize work. Keep immigration permission distinct from practical plans to share duties or income.
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.