The TN is a nonimmigrant status for Canadian citizens and a visa for Mexican citizens who wish to work in the United States in certain professions. The TN visa allows qualified applicants to stay and work in the United States for up to three years, and can be renewed indefinitely. As of January 2024, the all-in cost for a TN visa can range anywhere from as low as $56 USD up to $7,000 USD.
How much does a TN visa cost
The cost of a TN visa depends on the applicant’s country of citizenship and the type of application whether it’s mail-in or at the border. Depending on your circumstances and timeline, certain application methods may be better than others.
TN Visa Cost: In-person Application vs. Mail-in
Costs for the Mail-In I-129 Option
- $460 USD for the application
- (Optional) $2,500 USD for premium processing
- (Optional) $1,500 to $3,500 USD for legal fees
- Postage fees
Costs for the Border Application Option
- $50 USD at the border
- $6 USD for I-94 Arrival / Departure record
- (Optional) $1,500 to $3,500 USD for legal fees
- Travel costs to the border
TN Visa Cost: Canadians vs. Mexican Citizens
How much does a TN visa cost for Canadians?
For Canadians, the TN will cost $460 USD if filed through mail with an I-129 petition. There’s an additional $2,500 fee for those looking to do premium processing for a faster response over mail.
Alternatively, the cost of the TN visa for Canadians is only $50 USD for border applications along with a $6 USD fee for the I-94 Arrival-Departure Record. Our TN Prep Kit provides a comprehensive guide on everything you’ll need to feel fully prepared for your TN visa application.
How much does a TN visa cost for Mexicans?
Unfortunately Mexican nationals must first go to a consulate or embassy to obtain the TN visa. This comes with a cost of $160 USD for the visa processing fee. There may be additional visa issuance fees as well.
Costs for the Consulate Option (Mexican Nationals)
- $160 USD for visa processing
- $102 USD for a 12 month visa issuance fee
- $382 USD for a 48 month visa issuance fee
- (Optional) $1,500 to $3,500 USD for legal fees
What are the legal fees for a TN visa representation?
The cost of a TN visa lawyer varies, you can typically expect anywhere between $1,500 – $3,500 USD when it comes to hiring an experienced law firm. The more expensive options are usually reserved for complex cases that require more specialized expertise.
Remember, it’s not mandatory to have a lawyer help with your TN visa paperwork. If you need help deciding whether it’s worth looking for a lawyer, you can read more about the pros and cons of having a lawyer work on your TN case here.
Who pays for the TN visa application, the employee or the employer?
The short answer is that the employer typically pays but they don’t have an obligation to unlike the H-1B petition. Most employers will pay for the cost of the TN including legal fees. Often if an employer has decided to hire you, the marginal cost of a TN will not deter them because the cost of finding another candidate almost always outweighs the cost of a TN.
Some smaller companies and startups may not be familiar with the TN process so you may need to explain what you’ll need or prompt your employer to engage a lawyer to handle the process.
If you are a Canadian looking to apply for a TN, we highly recommend consulting our TN Prep Kit which lays out everything you need to know to maximize the odds of success for your application at the border.