Read the general eligibility basics overview
A long Canadian work or residence history should be recorded accurately without treating duration as citizenship. Start the U.S. route assessment with the applicant’s actual nationality and current proposal.
Separate a long history from the required status
Hypothetical example: a permanent resident has worked in Canada for many years and receives a U.S. offer. TN requires eligible Canadian or Mexican citizenship, not Canadian permanent residence alone. Neither time in Canada nor an employer’s description of the applicant as Canadian establishes citizenship.
Use history where another route requires it
L-1 concerns qualifying organizations, the relevant foreign employment and a managerial, executive or specialized-knowledge role. A lengthy career total is not automatically the required qualifying period. E-2 concerns treaty nationality and a qualifying investor and enterprise; Canadian earnings alone do not satisfy those conditions.
Assess present documents and process
Record actual citizenship, Canadian status and proposed U.S. work. Review the applicable visa and admission requirements for the classification. A future citizenship plan or past travel experience does not create current eligibility or work permission.
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: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.