TN Visa vs H-1B: Quick Comparison
The short answer? For Canadian citizens, the TN visa is almost always the better choice.
In this guide, we’ll compare these two work visa options across the dimensions that matter most: cost, processing time, application process, and long-term implications. Whether you’re a software engineer in Toronto, a data scientist in Vancouver, or any other professional with a job offer from a US company, this comparison will help you make an informed decision.
The short answer? For Canadian citizens, the TN visa is almost always the better choice.
In this guide, we’ll compare these two work visa options across the dimensions that matter most: cost, processing time, application process, and long-term implications. Whether you’re a software engineer in Toronto, a data scientist in Vancouver, or any other professional with a job offer from a US company, this comparison will help you make an informed decision.
Before diving into details, here’s how these visas compare:
| Feature | TN Visa | H-1B Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Canadian and Mexican citizens only | Any nationality |
| Who Applies | You apply directly | Employer must petition |
| Processing | Same day (port of entry) | Many months |
| Cost | USD $56 (port of entry) | USD $100,000 (new petitions) |
| Annual Cap | None | 65,000 + 20,000 (Master’s) |
| Lottery | No | Yes |
| Duration | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years initially |
| Renewals | Indefinite | Up to 6 years, then limited |
| Labor Assessment | Not required | Required |
| Flexibility | Very flexible | Increasingly restricted |
The TN visa offers clear advantages in almost every category that matters for getting started with US employment.
TN Visa Cost vs H-1B: The $100,000 Difference
This is where the difference between these visas becomes truly dramatic.
TN Visa Costs
Application at port of entry: USD $56
That’s not a typo. The total fee for a TN visa application at a port of entry is fifty-six dollars.
If you choose to apply through USCIS with premium processing instead, the cost is a few thousand dollars at most. No labor condition assessment is required, which saves additional administrative time and costs.
H-1B Visa Costs (2025)
New H-1B visa petitions: USD $100,000 processing fee
This new fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed in 2025. It does not apply to H-1B renewals or applications to change from another work visa classification to H-1B status.
H-1B renewals and status changes still cost well over USD $10,000 in government fees, administrative fees, and legal fees. The labor condition application adds additional expense and requires significant administrative resources.
The Math
USD $56 versus USD $100,000.
That’s a difference of $99,944 per person.
For a US company hiring five Canadian professionals, choosing TN visas over H-1B petitions saves nearly half a million dollars in visa fees alone. This is why American employers are increasingly turning to Canadian talent – Canadian tech workers are in continued high demand, and the TN visa makes them extraordinarily cost-effective to hire.
Winner: TN Visa – by an enormous margin.
TN Visa Processing Time: Same Day vs Many Months
TN Visa Processing
Canadians can apply at a port-of-entry and receive on-the-spot processing service.
You present your documents at a designated port of entry, have a brief interview with a border officer, and receive your decision typically the same day. Many Canadian professionals apply for their TN visa in the morning and start their new job the next day.
Consular, embassy, or inland US Citizenship and Immigration Services processing is also available, though port-of-entry processing is typically fastest.
H-1B Visa Processing
By design, the H-1B application process takes many months:
- February-March: Lottery registration opens
- March-April: Lottery draws are conducted
- April onward: If selected, petition filing and processing begins (many months)
- Throughout: Requests for Evidence (RFE) are increasingly common, adding more months
From lottery registration to being able to start work, you’re looking at 6-12+ months minimum. Even with premium processing, significant delays are common.
Winner: TN Visa. Same-day processing versus 6-12+ months makes this no contest.
TN Visa Requirements: No Cap or Lottery System
TN Visa: Apply Anytime
There is no cap on the number of TN visas that can be issued to Canadians and Mexicans.
You can apply any time of the year, without limitation. If you meet the requirements and have a qualifying job offer, you can obtain the visa. Your ability to work in the US doesn’t depend on winning a lottery or competing against other applicants.
H-1B Visa: Lottery-Driven Process
The H-1B is a lottery-driven process. You can only apply if you successfully win a lottery spot.
Annual cap: 65,000 spots total, plus an additional 20,000 spots reserved for US Master’s degree program graduates.
This means tens of thousands of qualified applicants are rejected every year simply because they weren’t selected in the lottery. Even if you meet all requirements, you might not be able to apply. If you’re not selected, you must wait another year to try again.
Winner: TN Visa. Certainty beats chance.
TN Visa Application Process for Canadians
How to Apply for a TN Visa
The TN visa is applicant-driven. You, the applicant, can apply directly for this visa. There is no need for your American employer to petition for the visa on your behalf, though they must provide supporting documentation.
What you need:
- Valid Canadian passport
- Job offer from a US employer in a qualifying profession
- Proof of your citizenship
- Educational credentials (bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field; some occupations allow 2-year diploma with 3 years of experience)
- Professional licenses if applicable
- Application fee (USD $56 at port of entry)
No visa stamp is required. Canadian citizens seek admission in TN nonimmigrant status and travel on their Canadian passport.
How to Apply for an H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa requires your employer to petition for the visa on your behalf. This means the employer must spend time and administrative resources on your application.
The process:
- Employer registers you for the H-1B lottery (February-March)
- Wait for lottery results (March-April)
- If selected, employer must obtain a labor condition assessment
- Employer files H-1B petition with USCIS
- Wait for decision (many months; RFEs are common)
- If approved, apply for visa stamp at consulate
- Enter the United States and begin work
Your employer must prove a labor shortage exists and demonstrate that the position qualifies as a “specialty occupation” requiring an advanced degree.
Winner: TN Visa. The direct application process is dramatically simpler.
TN Visa USA: Employment Flexibility and Work Options
TN Visa: Highly Flexible
The TN visa allows considerable flexibility with payment arrangements and contract types:
You can work as:
- Direct employee of an American enterprise
- Independent contractor or consultant
- Employee of a Canadian, Mexican, or American firm with a contract to deliver services to a US business
“Labor for hire” is often not a strong factor in TN decisions because the classification allows for these flexible arrangements.
Multiple employers: You can have two or more TN authorizations for multiple engagements with multiple employers, simultaneously.
Changing jobs: If you lose your job, you can easily apply for a new TN at any time with a new job offer. While you must not stay in the United States for more than 30 days after job loss, there is no requirement that your new employer obtain any pre-approval.
H-1B Visa: Increasingly Restricted
Direct one-to-one employment is often the only available option for H-1B holders.
While technical consulting firms have historically placed H-1B workers with other businesses, “labor for hire” is also prohibited, meaning H-1B petitions for consulting businesses are refused at increasingly higher rates.
Changing employers: If you lose your job, you must find a new job within 60 days, but you can only do this if your I-140 Green Card petition is in process with a priority date assigned. Otherwise, you need to depart the United States.
Winner: TN Visa. Flexibility matters for career growth and opportunities.
Duration and Renewals: Both Long-Term Options
TN Visa Duration
Initial period: Up to 3 years
Renewals: Renewable indefinitely as long as you maintain a qualifying job offer
This means you can work in the United States on TN status for many years. There is no limit on the number of times you can renew.
H-1B Visa Duration
Initial period: Up to 3 years
Extension: Can be extended for an additional 3 years (up to 6 years total)
Beyond 6 years: Further extensions are possible if you have a green card application in process, but renewable status is also available for TN holders.
Winner: Tie. Both visas offer sufficient duration for long-term US employment.
TN Visa to Green Card: Understanding Dual Intent
This is the one area where H-1B has a structural advantage.
H-1B: Dual Intent Allowed
The H-1B is a dual-intent exempt visa, meaning you can travel in and out of the United States after your employer submits your EB-2 or EB-3 green card petition.
You can simultaneously hold H-1B nonimmigrant status (temporary) while openly pursuing permanent residence (green card). This makes the green card path more straightforward.
TN: Not Dual Intent
TN is not dual-intent exempt. If your employer petitions for you for a Green Card under an Employment Based preference category (typically EB-3, EB-2, or EB-1), you usually need to wait until you receive Advanced Parole to travel in and out of the United States.
However, this does not mean TN holders cannot get green cards. Many TN visa holders successfully transition to permanent residence. It simply requires more careful planning and coordination with an immigration attorney.
Winner: H-1B (but TN holders can still pursue green cards with proper planning)
Requests for Evidence: TN vs H-1B Approval Process
TN Visa: RFEs Are Uncommon
If your TN application is refused for insufficient evidence, you can usually apply again relatively quickly after addressing the issues.
At ports-of-entry, you can often address officers’ concerns on the spot. Lengthy Requests for Evidence (RFEs) are uncommon with TN visas.
H-1B Visa: RFEs Are Increasingly Common
RFEs for H-1B applications are increasingly common as officers interpret requirements strictly to reduce reliance on the program.
RFEs add months to an already lengthy process and require significant additional work to respond properly.
Winner: TN Visa. Predictability matters.
TN Visa for Canadian Citizens: Who Qualifies?
TN Visa Eligibility
Available to Canadian citizens and Mexican citizens only. You must:
- Be a citizen of Canada or Mexico (permanent residents don’t qualify)
- Have a job offer from a US employer in a qualifying profession
- Work in a profession listed in the USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement)
- Have the required education and/or work experience
Qualifying professions include over 60 general Professional and Technical Occupations covering about 100 different positions, including:
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Engineer
- Mathematician
- Scientist
- Management Consultant
- Accountant
- And many others in STEM, business, healthcare, education, and technical fields
Educational requirements: Most occupations require at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. A few occupations require only a 2-year diploma with 3 years of related work experience (such as Graphic Designer, Engineering Technician, or Medical Laboratory Technician).
H-1B Visa Eligibility
Available to any nationality, subject to executive orders. You must:
- Have a job offer in a “specialty occupation”
- The position must require an advanced degree
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field
- Win the H-1B lottery
Winner (for Canadians): TN Visa. No lottery, straightforward requirements.
Overall: Why TN Visa Wins for Canadians
Let’s be clear about what the TN visa offers Canadian professionals:
TN Visa Advantages
Fast: On-the-spot processing at port of entry. Same-day approval is normal.
Inexpensive: USD $56 compared to $100,000 for new H-1B petitions.
Applicant-driven: You can apply directly once you have an eligible job offer. Your employer doesn’t need to petition for you first.
No cap or lottery: Your ability to work in the US doesn’t depend on lottery luck.
Flexible: A variety of payment arrangements and contract terms are acceptable. You can work as an employee, contractor, or consultant. You can even have multiple TN authorizations simultaneously.
Renewable indefinitely: No limit on renewals as long as you maintain qualifying employment.
Straightforward process: RFEs are rare, and issues are typically resolved quickly.
H-1B Disadvantages
Slow: Takes many months to process, and you can only apply if you win the lottery.
Extraordinarily expensive: USD $100,000 for new petitions (2025). Renewals still cost over $10,000.
Employer-driven: Your employer must go through the arduous process of proving labor shortage and petitioning on your behalf.
Incredibly rigid: Lottery in March-April, months of processing, frequent RFEs.
Lottery-dependent: Thousands of qualified applicants are rejected every year purely due to the cap.
Employment restrictions: “Labor for hire” arrangements face high refusal rates.
Winner: TN Visa – By a Wide Margin
The TN visa is the clear winner over the H-1B for Canadian citizens. If you are a Canadian citizen, get a job offer from a US company in an eligible TN professional occupation, and you have a bachelor’s degree, you can often apply for admission to the US in TN status right away.
This means an American employer hiring a Canadian worker for a TN professional role doesn’t need to think twice about you being able to start the job on the desired start date. In today’s competitive job market, where US companies face labor shortages for professionals with skills in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, Advanced Architecture, and Data Science, this is a significant advantage.
When Might H-1B Make Sense Despite Higher Costs?
There are a few scenarios where H-1B might be worth considering despite the challenges:
You’re not a Canadian or Mexican citizen. If you don’t have Canadian or Mexican citizenship, you don’t have access to TN visas.
You’re already in the US on F-1 OPT or another status. If you’re already in the United States, you might pursue H-1B status change without the $100,000 fee (which only applies to new petitions, not status changes). The F-1 → F-1 OPT → H-1B pathway remains intact for international students.
You prioritize dual intent from day one. If you know with certainty you want to pursue a green card immediately and anticipate frequent international travel during the process, H-1B’s dual intent could be valuable. However, many immigration lawyers recommend starting with a TN visa and transitioning later if needed.
For most Canadian professionals, the TN visa’s advantages in cost, speed, and certainty outweigh any H-1B benefits.
Get Professional Guidance
Whether you’re certain about pursuing a TN visa or still weighing your options, working with an experienced immigration attorney makes a significant difference.
Why Work With an Immigration Lawyer?
For TN visas:
- Ensure your job offer qualifies under USMCA professional categories
- Review your educational credentials and work experience
- Prepare documentation to maximize approval chances
- Coach you for your port-of-entry interview
- Develop backup plans if complications arise
For strategic planning:
- Assess which visa truly makes sense for your specific situation
- Understand long-term implications of each choice
- Plan comprehensive immigration strategy aligned with career goals
- Coordinate with your employer on process and documentation
Contact Mandelbaum Immigration Law Firm
We’ve helped dozens of Canadian professionals secure TN visas and navigate US immigration. Based in Toronto, we understand both Canadian and US immigration systems.
📧 Email: info@dmandelbaum.com
📞 Phone: (416) 646-3523
📋 Schedule a consultation
Our Toronto office is conveniently located near Yonge & Sheppard, easily accessible by TTC.
Related Resources:
Conclusion
The comparison between TN and H-1B visas isn’t close for Canadian citizens. The TN visa offers same-day processing for $56 while H-1B requires months of waiting and $100,000 for new petitions.
Key takeaways:
- TN visa: Fast, inexpensive, flexible, no lottery
- H-1B: Slow, expensive, rigid, lottery-dependent
- TN’s only disadvantage (no dual intent) is manageable with proper planning
- You can transition from TN to another status later if needed
If you’re a Canadian professional with a job offer from a US company, the TN visa is the fastest, most cost-effective path to US employment. It keeps all your future options open while getting you started quickly.
Ready to explore your TN visa options? Contact our Toronto immigration law office today.
