TN Visa Cost in 2026: Border, Consulate and USCIS Fees for Canadians and Mexicans

A Canadian at the border, a Mexican at a consulate and an employer filing with USCIS pay very different TN fees, so here is every one, dated and sourced.

Part of our guide to the TN visa.

As of November 1, 2026, the TN visa cost depends on your citizenship and your route. A Canadian asking for TN status at a US port of entry or airport preclearance pays CBP $50, plus $30 for an I-94 at a land crossing. A Mexican citizen pays the State Department's $185 visa application fee at a consulate, then the same $30 at a land crossing. When an employer files Form I-129 with USCIS, usually to extend a TN, the bill is $1,015 on paper ($510 for small employers and nonprofits) plus an Asylum Program Fee, and $2,965 more for optional premium processing. Our stake: F1Jobs sells a job-search service, not legal or filing services.

Status line, as of 2026-11-01:

• In effect: USCIS fee schedule Form G-1055, edition 10/26/26, posted 2026-10-28, and the FY2027 H.R. 1 fee adjustments (since 2026-10-16), which keep the land-border I-94 at $30.
• In force, not renewed, unchanged for TN: the USMCA. The July 1, 2026 joint review said "the USMCA is not renewed" but that it "remains in force" (USTR); TN eligibility, procedure and fees did not change.
• Unclear: the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, with no Federal Register implementation notice.
• Scheduled: from 2026-11-09, USCIS takes only the 09/09/26 edition of Form I-129, and old mailing addresses work only for packages postmarked on or before that date.
• Proposed, not law: ending the 60-day grace period for TN and other workers (comments close 2026-11-10) and ending USCIS deference to prior approvals on extensions (comments close 2026-11-13). Today's 60-day grace period and today's deference still apply, and both stay proposals after the comment periods close until a final rule appears in the Federal Register.
• Under OIRA review, unpublished: a draft titled "Amending the Premium Processing Timeframe" (RIN 1615-AD25), received 2026-10-13. It has no public text, so today's 15-business-day TN premium timeframe applies.

How much does a TN visa cost in 2026?

As of November 1, 2026, a Canadian pays $50 for TN at a port of entry or airport preclearance, plus $30 for a land-border I-94. A Mexican pays $185 at a US consulate, plus any reciprocity fee and the same $30 by land. An employer filing Form I-129 pays $510 (a nonprofit) to $4,580 (a regular employer with premium processing).

Those totals are our arithmetic from the official line items below. CBP and State Department fees are per person; USCIS fees are per form.

TN government fees, line by line (as of 2026-11-01)

G-1055 prints a $965 online price, but USCIS's 2026-10-07 list of I-129 categories filed by PDF upload does not include TN, so plan on the paper price unless that page lists TN when your employer files. The small-employer test in 8 CFR 106.1 counts US employees "including any affiliates and subsidiaries."

TN visa cost by route and nationality

Each of the three ways into TN status has its own price list. Our complete TN guide for Canadians and Mexicans covers eligibility and professions; this section is only about money.

Route 1: Canadians at a port of entry or preclearance

Canadians need no visa. The USCIS TN page says "you are not required to apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate"; you present proof of citizenship, an employer letter and any credentials evaluation, "together with any applicable fees."

The fee sits in a regulation that still uses the old treaty's name. 8 CFR 103.7(d)(11) reads: "Request for Classification of a citizen of Canada to engage in professional business activities under section 214(e) of the Act (Chapter 16 of the North American Free Trade Agreement). $50.00." Expect it each time you ask CBP for a new TN classification, such as with a new employer or a renewal at the border.

The I-94 depends on how you arrive. CBP's H.R. 1 fee notice set the land-border total at $30 from 2025-09-30 and says "CBP will not assess a fee for aliens arriving at an air or sea port of entry." The FY2027 adjustment left the $24 part unchanged. CBP designated ports for "optimized processing of first-time Canadian applicants," including preclearance at the Calgary, Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau and Vancouver airports, but says "you may continue to go to any port of entry along the Canadian border." The letter is the heart of this route; see our TN employer support letter guide.

Family members pay by their own citizenship, not yours. 8 CFR 214.6(j)(2) says a TN's spouse and children "shall be required to present a valid, unexpired TD nonimmigrant visa unless otherwise exempt under 8 CFR 212.1," and Canadian citizens are generally visa-exempt. In our reading, a Canadian TN's spouse who holds another citizenship (Indian, say) needs a TD visa from a US consulate first: $185, plus any reciprocity fee for that nationality, before the $30 land I-94. Our TD status guide covers what TD allows; USCIS says TD dependents may study but are "not permitted to work."

Route 2: Mexicans at a US consulate

The USCIS TN page tells Mexican citizens "you must obtain a visa to enter the United States as a TN nonimmigrant" and "should apply for a TN visa directly at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico." 22 CFR 22.1, item 21 sets the application fee: $185 for a non-petition-based visa, $205 for H, L, O, P, Q and R visas, $315 for E visas. TN and TD are not in the $205 list or the E class, so you and each TD family member pay $185. Item 23 lists the issuance (reciprocity) fee as "RECIPROCAL," so any amount depends on nationality and visa class: look up Mexico on the State Department's reciprocity by country pages and confirm live amounts on its fees for visa services page.

Budget for the trip too. From 2025-10-01, State's interview-waiver update kept waivers only for certain B-1/B-2 (including Border Crossing Card) and H-2A renewals within 12 months and for diplomatic classes, so in our reading TN and TD applicants should expect an in-person interview. State's online-presence review has covered TN and TD applicants since 2026-10-01 (MIT ISO); it costs nothing but can add time. The $750 expedited-appointment pilot, in effect at select posts including Mission Mexico through 2026-12-31 unless extended, covers B visas only, so it cannot buy a faster TN appointment. Check waits on the Global Visa Wait Times page, not anecdotes.

After the visa, a land crossing costs $30 per person for the I-94 and flying in adds no I-94 fee; the $50 classification fee is for Canadians only. One recurring cost catches families: if a Mexican TD dependent's stay was extended inside the US and the TD visa has expired, USCIS says that after travel abroad "they will be required to apply for a new TD visa" before returning, another $185.

Route 3: An employer files Form I-129 with USCIS

USCIS describes two uses. A prospective employer "may choose to file on behalf of a Canadian citizen who is outside the United States," and for a TN worker already here, "your employer may file Form I-129 on your behalf" to extend; alternatively, the worker may depart and reapply at a port of entry or preclearance. In our reading, an approved petition does not replace the TN visa a Mexican citizen needs to enter from abroad. The employer pays $1,015 on paper plus the $600 Asylum Program Fee ($510 and $300 for a small employer; $510 and $0 for a nonprofit). G-1055 adds that "The Premium Processing fee is in addition to all other applicable filing fees": $2,965 for a 15-business-day clock.

Is premium worth it? USCIS's processing-times tool showed 4.5 months for TN I-129s on 2026-11-01 (the time within which 80% of cases finished); check the live figure on filing day. Weigh the $2,965 against three dates: the I-94 end date, the job's start date and any planned travel. For a Canadian, also compare the border route's government cost ($50 plus any land I-94 fee) with $1,615 or more for a regular employer's I-129. TD dependents extend on Form I-539.

If you are a Canadian or Mexican on F-1 OPT, a move to TN, by petition or at the border, generally ends your F-1 status, and the OPT that depends on it, once TN takes effect. Ask an immigration attorney which route fits your case, and your DSO what happens to your SEVIS record.

Worked example: five TN budgets with real dates (as of 2026-11)

The fourth filing is mailed after 2026-11-09, so it needs the 09/09/26 I-129 edition and the new address, both on the USCIS I-129 page. For the wider schedule, see our 2026 USCIS fee schedule breakdown.

Who pays for a TN visa, the employer or the employee?

The forms decide who hands over the money; who finally bears it is a negotiation. At the border, 8 CFR 214.6(e) says the CBP fee "shall be remitted by Canadian Citizens upon admission," so the Canadian pays the $50 and any $30 at the counter, and a Mexican applicant pays the $185 to the State Department. At USCIS the employer files Form I-129 as the petitioner, and G-1055 says "Form I-907 may not be filed by a beneficiary or co-applicant of the primary form for which premium processing is being requested," so the petition and premium fees sit with the employer at filing. We found no TN rule that requires an employer to reimburse the worker's own fees, or that bars it from doing so.

Put the split in your offer letter: border, visa, I-129, premium, dependents and renewals, plus how you claim reimbursement. How a reimbursement is taxed is a question for a tax professional who handles cross-border returns.

TN visa lawyer cost: what drives it

No single lawyer price fits every TN case, and no official source publishes one. The bill moves with the route (a border support letter versus a full I-129 petition), how clearly your job fits a listed profession, whether a credentials evaluation is needed, and whether a request for evidence arrives.

USCIS's I-129 quarterly data for FY2026 Q1-Q3 show a 94.9% approval rate (approved divided by approved plus denied) for USCIS-filed TN petitions, initial and extension, and an RFE in 13.0% of completed cases. They exclude border decisions and predate PA-2026-05, the policy in effect since 2026-08-05 (and challenged in court) that lets USCIS deny without first sending an RFE. The deference proposal would stop USCIS deferring to a prior approval on extensions; it is not law. Ask any lawyer whether the quote is flat, whether RFEs, dependents and government fees are included, and whom they represent: when the employer pays, the lawyer may represent the employer alone, so ask whether you are a client too.

Fee myths, then the correction

How to budget and pay your TN fees, step by step

1. Confirm your route on the USCIS TN page: CBP port or preclearance (Canadians), consulate (Mexicans) or a Form I-129 petition.
2. Price every USCIS line on Form G-1055, edition 10/26/26, including the Asylum Program Fee.
3. Pay USCIS by card with Form G-1450 or by bank debit with Form G-1650; checks are rejected unless you qualify under Form G-1651.
4. Pay the $185 visa fee through the State Department's process for Mexico before booking the interview, after checking the reciprocity table.
5. Carry your employer letter, credentials evaluation and a way to pay to the CBP port (Canadians).
6. Download your I-94 from CBP's I-94 website after every entry and check the class and end date.
7. Note the I-94 end date and plan any extension with your employer and attorney.

Common mistakes

• Trusting a fee calculator. Some vendor pages mix up the $185 and $205 visa fees or skip the Asylum Program Fee. Price from G-1055 and the CFR.
• Using the old I-129 edition from 2026-11-09. USCIS will reject a 02/27/26 edition postmarked or submitted on or after that date, and old addresses work only for packages postmarked by then.
• Letting a TN lapse. The current 60-day grace period still applies, but DHS has proposed ending it for TN workers (comments close 2026-11-10; see our explainer on the proposal). If your job ends, talk to an immigration attorney quickly.
• Forgetting a non-Canadian spouse's visa. A Canadian TN needs no visa, but a spouse or child with another citizenship generally does, at $185 plus any reciprocity fee.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a TN visa cost?

As of November 1, 2026, a Canadian at a port of entry pays CBP $50, plus $30 for an I-94 if entering by land. A Mexican citizen pays a $185 visa application fee at a consulate, plus any reciprocity fee, and $30 at a land crossing. An employer filing Form I-129 pays $1,015 on paper ($510 for small employers and nonprofits) plus an Asylum Program Fee of $600, $300 or $0, and $2,965 more for premium processing.

Who pays for a TN visa, the employer or the employee?

The forms decide who pays at the counter; who finally bears the cost is a negotiation. Under 8 CFR 214.6(e) the Canadian remits CBP's $50 on admission, plus any $30 land I-94, and a Mexican applicant pays the $185 visa fee. The employer files Forms I-129 and I-907 as the petitioner, and G-1055 bars the beneficiary from filing the I-907, so USCIS fees sit with the employer. We found no TN rule requiring or barring reimbursement, so put the split in your offer letter.

Do Canadians pay a fee for TN at the border?

Yes. 8 CFR 103.7(d)(11) sets a $50 fee for a Canadian's request for TN classification, which CBP decides at ports of entry and preclearance stations. Entering by land adds a $30 I-94 fee ($6 plus the $24 H.R. 1 fee), unchanged under the FY2027 adjustments in effect since October 16, 2026. CBP does not charge the I-94 fee on air or sea arrivals.

How much is the TN visa fee for Mexicans?

The visa application fee for a TN or TD visa is $185 per person, the non-petition-based rate in 22 CFR 22.1, checked November 1, 2026. A reciprocity issuance fee may also apply, so check the State Department's reciprocity table for Mexico. Mexicans do not pay CBP's $50 TN classification fee, which applies to Canadians, but a land entry costs $30 per person for the I-94.

Is the $250 visa integrity fee charged on TN?

Its status is unclear as of November 1, 2026. The fee is set by statute, but no Federal Register implementation notice has been published, and Boston University's international office reported in May 2026 that "some consular posts have begun charging" it. Canadians who get TN at the border receive no visa, so in our reading the fee does not arise for them. Anyone applying for a TN or TD visa at a consulate, Mexican or not, should check what that post collects. For the fee's background across visa types, see our Visa Integrity Fee explainer; its status line dates from September 2026, so for TN rely on the November 1 status above.

Sources

• USCIS, TN USMCA Professionals (last reviewed 06/04/2025)
• USCIS, Form G-1055 fee schedule and the G-1055 PDF, edition 10/26/26
• USCIS, Form I-129, filing locations update and I-129 PDF-upload categories
• USCIS, processing times and I-129 quarterly RFE data, FY2026 Q3
• eCFR, 8 CFR 103.7, 8 CFR 106.1, 8 CFR 214.6, 22 CFR 22.1
• Federal Register, CBP H.R. 1 fees (2025), FY2027 H.R. 1 adjustments, the 60-day grace period proposal and the deference proposal
• CBP, Traveling on a TN or L1 Visa from Canada
• State Department, Fees for Visa Services, reciprocity by country, interview-waiver update and Global Visa Wait Times
• USTR, USMCA joint review statement
• MIT ISO, TN and TD online-presence review; BU ISSO, Visa Integrity Fee

How we checked this: we read G-1055 (edition 10/26/26), 8 CFR 103.7, 106.1 and 214.6, 22 CFR 22.1, both H.R. 1 fee notices, USCIS's I-129 RFE data and the USCIS and CBP TN pages on 2026-11-01. State Department fees come from 22 CFR 22.1; confirm them on travel.state.gov. Fees change; the live government page and your own notice, I-94 or receipt govern over this post.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice; for your own route, talk to a licensed immigration attorney, your DSO if you are on F-1 or OPT, and a tax professional about reimbursements.

The paperwork is half the job; the other half is landing a role worth filing for. If you want help with a sponsorship-focused job search, talk to F1Jobs.