Read the general eligibility basics overview
Citizenship must be assessed for the person seeking TN classification. A Canadian permanent resident does not become a Canadian citizen because a partner is Canadian, and marriage does not replace the professional applicant’s own eligibility. A possible dependent route is a separate question with separate activity limits.
Write down each person’s existing position
Hypothetical example: a permanent resident with a U.S. offer is told to use a partner’s Canadian passport in the family file. Record each person’s citizenship, Canadian status, proposed U.S. role and supporting documents. Do not use a household label such as Canadian family as the answer to an individual nationality requirement.
Distinguish principal and dependent possibilities
A qualifying Canadian or Mexican citizen may have a TN route on their own professional facts. A qualifying spouse or unmarried child under 21 may have a TD question connected to that principal; cohabitation alone does not establish spousal eligibility. TD permits study but not employment, so it does not authorize the other partner to accept the original job.
Ask about alternatives without assuming the outcome
If the intended worker lacks Canadian or Mexican citizenship, assess other categories on their actual requirements. L-1 needs qualifying employment and organizational facts; E-2 needs qualifying treaty nationality and investment facts. Keep Canadian residence obligations and any citizenship application separate. A future expected grant should not be presented as citizenship already held.
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.