Read the general eligibility basics overview
A French River resident may have a Canadian qualification and work with Canadian colleagues while holding Canadian permanent residence. The team’s credentials and nationality cannot establish the principal applicant’s TN citizenship requirement.
Identify the citizenship actually held by the proposed principal
Record the applicant’s own nationality, not the employer’s location or colleagues’ passports. TN requires Canadian or Mexican citizenship. Canadian permanent residence, education and professional experience do not substitute. If a Canadian citizenship process is pending, distinguish that future possibility from citizenship already held and capable of being documented.
Find out whether another proposal has its own necessary facts
A genuine L-1 option requires qualifying foreign employment, corporate relationships and a qualifying U.S. role. An E-2 proposal depends on relevant treaty nationality and a real qualifying enterprise and investment arrangement. Do not assume working on an international team proves related companies or that being unable to use TN makes another category available. Identify the specific missing facts before asking the employer to prepare a different application.
Avoid carrying the principal’s assumption into the household plan
List the actual family relationships and proposed activities separately. A spouse may have a different citizenship or an independent work proposal. Dependent eligibility and employment permission are not established simply because the family lives in Canada together. Review the appropriate status for each person before relying on a common moving or working date.
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.