If you're Canadian or Mexican, the TN visa is the best-kept secret in US immigration. Same-day approval at the border for Canadians, no lottery, no cap, 60+ eligible professions.
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Is TN Right for You?
✅ Perfect if: CA/MX citizen, bachelor's in eligible profession, US job offer.
⚠️ **Limits:** Doesn't directly lead to green card.
❌ Won't work if: Not CA/MX citizen, profession not on list, self-employed.
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TN vs H-1B vs O-1
| TN | H-1B | O-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible | CA/MX only | Anyone | Anyone |
| Lottery | No | Yes | No |
| Processing | Same day (CA) | Oct start | 15 days premium |
| Cost | $460 | $2K-$5K | $8K-$15K |
| Duration | 3 years renewable | 6 years max | Unlimited |
What Most People Get Wrong
"I should apply for H-1B instead." If your profession is on the TN list, there is almost no reason to go through the lottery.
"Software developers can't get TN." They can — but the title must be "Computer Systems Analyst" or "Engineer."
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**Which US visa should you apply for?**