H-1B vs. TN Visa: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?

If you’re a Canadian or Mexican professional looking to work in the United States, two of the most common work visa options you’ll hear about are the H-1B visa and the TN visa. While both allow you to work legally in the U.S. in professional roles, they are very different in how they work, how long they last, and how hard they are to get.

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Here’s a simple breakdown.

The H-1B is a U.S. work visa for people in “specialty occupations”—jobs that normally require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field, such as software engineering, finance, architecture, or medicine.

Key features:

• Subject to an annual lottery (cap-limited in most cases)
• Initially granted for up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years or more
• Can be used by citizens of any country
• Allows clear dual intent (you can pursue a green card)

The biggest downside is the lottery. Even if you qualify, selection is never guaranteed.

The TN visa was created under NAFTA (now USMCA) and is only available to Canadian and Mexican citizens. It covers a specific list of professions such as engineers, accountants, scientists, and computer systems analysts.

Key features:

• No lottery
• Can be issued quickly (often directly at the border for Canadians)
• Granted in up to 3-year increments
• Limited to specific listed professions
• Not officially dual-intent

The TN is one of the fastest and cheapest professional work visas, but it is more restrictive in job types and long-term immigration strategy.

• Citizenship requirement:
  H-1B – Any country | TN – Canada or Mexico only
• Lottery:
  H-1B – Yes | TN – No
• Speed:
  H-1B – Months | TN – Often days or weeks
• Green card compatibility:
  H-1B – Strong | TN – Possible, but requires careful planning
• Job flexibility:
  H-1B – Broad | TN – Limited to a fixed list

If you’re Canadian or Mexican and your job fits a TN category, the TN is often the fastest way to start working in the U.S. However, if your long-term goal is a green card, the H-1B is usually a better strategic platform.

Many professionals start on a TN and later move to an H-1B or an employment-based green card path.

There is no “better” visa universally. The right choice depends on your citizenship, profession, employer, and long-term plans. A short consultation before applying can prevent denials, status problems, and lost years.

If you’re deciding between a TN and H-1B, speaking with an immigration attorney early can save you time, money, and risk.

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