How Much Does a TN Visa Cost? A Full Breakdown of Fees
Meta description: Learn how much a TN visa costs, including U.S. government filing fees, border charges, Mexican visa fees, premium processing, and legal expenses.
The cost of a TN visa depends on the applicant’s citizenship, where the application is filed, and whether an employer uses U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or applies at a port of entry. Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa stamp, while Mexican citizens do. Employer petition fees, optional premium processing, travel costs, and professional assistance can also affect the total. This breakdown explains the main expenses and which party typically pays them.
TN Visa Costs at a Glance
There is no single price for a TN visa. The main difference is the application route: many Canadian citizens apply at a U.S. port of entry, while Mexican citizens first obtain a TN visa at a U.S. consulate. Either citizen may also be sponsored through a USCIS petition in some situations.
| Possible cost | Typical amount | Who may pay |
|---|---|---|
| TN visa application fee for Mexican citizens | $185 | Applicant, employer, or another party |
| TN application at a U.S. port of entry | $50 | Applicant or employer |
| Land-border I-94 fee, when applicable | $6 | Applicant or employer |
| USCIS Form I-129 fee | Generally $695 or $1,385 | Petitioning employer |
| USCIS asylum program fee for Form I-129 | Generally $300 or $600; certain nonprofits pay $0 | Petitioning employer |
| Premium processing, optional | $2,805 | Employer or applicant, depending on arrangement |
| Attorney fees | Varies by provider and case | Employer, applicant, or both |
Important: Fees can change. USCIS, the Department of State, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) publish the official amounts. Applicants should confirm current charges and payment procedures before filing or traveling.
TN Visa Fees for Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens generally do not need a TN visa stamp in their passports. They can apply for TN status at a designated U.S. port of entry or, in many cases, at a preclearance location. The applicant presents supporting documents, and a CBP officer decides whether the requirements are met.
At a port of entry, the TN application fee is generally $50. A Canadian applicant entering by land may also need to pay the $6 I-94 fee, for a usual total of $56 in government charges. The I-94 is the arrival record that documents the authorized stay. Procedures and payment options can vary by location, so applicants should check the relevant CBP port before traveling.
For air arrivals, the I-94 process and fee may be handled differently; travelers should check the CBP I-94 website and follow instructions for their route. The $50 TN application charge is distinct from USCIS petition fees and does not include travel, legal assistance, document preparation, or any other expenses.
TN Visa Fees for Mexican Citizens
Mexican citizens generally need a TN visa to seek admission to the United States in TN status. They apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, typically by submitting the online DS-160 application, paying the visa application fee, and attending an interview if required.
The standard nonimmigrant visa application fee for a TN visa is $185. This is a Department of State processing fee, not a guarantee of visa approval. A visa allows the holder to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission; CBP makes the final decision about admission and the period of authorized stay.
Mexican applicants should also account for potential travel to the consulate, document translations, and any employer or attorney assistance. Visa appointment availability and interview procedures differ by location. The Department of State’s website provides current instructions and fee information for the specific consulate.
USCIS Form I-129 Fees for Employer Petitions
An employer may file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to request TN classification for a worker or to extend or change certain employment-related status. This route may be useful when advance USCIS adjudication is preferred or when the worker is already in the United States and eligible to request a change or extension of status.
The Form I-129 fee for a TN petition is generally $1,385 for a standard employer and $695 for an eligible small employer or nonprofit organization. The small-employer rate generally applies to an employer with 25 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees in the United States, including qualifying affiliates and subsidiaries. USCIS definitions and fee rules control eligibility.
Many I-129 filings also require an asylum program fee. The general amount is $600; an eligible small employer generally pays $300, while qualifying nonprofit organizations are exempt. As a result, a typical employer’s combined I-129 and asylum program fees may be $1,985, while an eligible small employer’s combined fees may be $995. The employer’s status and the latest USCIS fee schedule determine the correct amount.
These are petition charges, not fees that every TN applicant pays. A Canadian applying directly at a port of entry, for example, may not need an I-129 petition. Employers should use the USCIS fee calculator or current Form I-129 instructions to confirm the amount and payment method before filing.
Premium Processing: Optional Expedited Review
Employers may request premium processing for an eligible Form I-129 petition by filing Form I-907 and paying the applicable fee. The published fee is $2,805. USCIS promises to take an adjudicative action within the applicable premium-processing timeframe, which may mean approval, denial, a request for evidence, or another qualifying notice. It is not a promise of approval.
Premium processing is optional and is separate from the I-129 and asylum program fees. If USCIS issues a request for evidence, the response may restart the applicable review period. The service does not speed up a consular appointment, travel arrangements, or admission inspection at a border. Because premium-processing rates and eligible categories can change, employers should verify the current amount on the USCIS Form I-907 page before paying.
TN Visa Costs for Extensions and Renewals
TN status is generally granted for up to three years at a time. A worker who wants to continue in TN status may seek an extension through an employer-filed I-129 petition, or may apply for a new period of admission at a port of entry when eligible. The best route depends on the worker’s location, travel plans, and circumstances.
An I-129 extension generally carries the applicable petition and asylum program fees, plus optional premium processing and any professional fees. A Canadian citizen who applies for a new period at a port of entry generally pays the TN application charge and any applicable I-94 fee. A Mexican citizen generally needs a valid TN visa for travel and should check whether a new visa application is required. A visa’s expiration date and the authorized stay shown on the I-94 are separate matters.
Costs for TD Dependents
A TN worker’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 may qualify for TD dependent status. TD dependents may accompany or follow the principal worker, but TD status does not authorize employment in the United States.
Canadian dependents generally do not need TD visa stamps. Mexican dependents generally need TD visas and usually pay the $185 nonimmigrant visa application fee per applicant. Depending on the situation, a dependent in the United States may file Form I-539 to request a change or extension of status. The usual USCIS fee is $420 for online filing or $470 for paper filing, subject to current fee rules and eligibility. Applicants should confirm the latest Form I-539 fee before submitting.
Attorney and Document Preparation Fees
Attorney fees are not set by the government and vary with the case, the provider, and the services included. A straightforward TN case may cost less than a case involving an unusual occupation, questions about degree equivalency, prior status issues, or a request for additional evidence. Some employers handle routine filings in-house; others hire immigration counsel for preparation and review.
Potential additional expenses include credential evaluations, certified translations, transcript or diploma requests, passport photos, shipping, travel, and document retrieval. These items are not required in every case. Applicants should ask whether a quoted legal fee covers dependents, an RFE response, consular preparation, premium-processing paperwork, and government charges.
Who Pays TN Visa Fees?
Payment arrangements depend on the fee and the employer’s policies. The employer typically files and pays for Form I-129 and its required employer-related fees. The applicant may pay personal travel or consular expenses, while some employers cover visa fees, dependents’ costs, or legal services as part of a relocation package.
There is no single rule that makes every TN-related expense the worker’s responsibility. The parties should agree in writing on who will pay the petition fee, premium processing, legal fees, visa charges, and dependent expenses. Employers should also consider applicable labor and immigration rules before requiring workers to reimburse costs.
Example TN Visa Cost Scenarios
The examples below illustrate common government-fee combinations, not guaranteed totals. They exclude legal fees, travel, document costs, and any changes to official fee schedules.
- Canadian citizen applying at a land port: typically $50 for the TN application plus $6 for the I-94, or $56 in listed charges when both apply.
- Mexican citizen applying for a TN visa: $185 for the visa application, plus any travel or document expenses. CBP admission is a separate step.
- Employer petition for a standard employer: generally $1,385 for Form I-129 plus a $600 asylum program fee, or $1,985 before optional premium processing and legal fees.
- Employer petition for an eligible small employer: generally $695 plus a $300 asylum program fee, or $995 before optional services.
- Standard employer petition with premium processing: generally $1,985 plus $2,805, or $4,790 in USCIS charges, if both current fees apply.
How to Avoid Unnecessary TN Visa Expenses
Before paying, the employer and applicant can identify the correct application route and confirm the worker’s citizenship, current location, and status. A Canadian citizen who qualifies to apply at a port of entry may not need an employer-filed I-129. A worker already in the United States may have different options, but should avoid travel that could affect a pending change or extension request without first reviewing the consequences.
Applicants can reduce preventable costs by preparing a complete evidence package, checking that the offered job matches a profession listed under the USMCA, and confirming that the applicant meets the profession’s education or credential requirements. Useful evidence often includes a detailed employer support letter, proof of citizenship, degree records, licenses when required, and a clear explanation of the temporary professional assignment.
Official information is available from USCIS TN guidance, the USCIS filing-fee pages, the Department of State visa fee page, and CBP’s I-94 website. These sources should be checked shortly before filing or travel because fees and procedures can change.