Read the general eligibility basics overview
Company registration and individual nationality belong to different parts of the file. A Canadian permanent resident may own a Canadian corporation without being a Canadian citizen. Record the owner’s actual citizenship before selecting a category for the intended U.S. work.
Separate the company record from personal identity
Hypothetical example: a sole shareholder presents Canadian incorporation papers as the reason TN should be available. Obtain the applicant’s own citizenship documents and distinguish them from the corporation’s registered address and ownership records. TN is for qualifying Canadian and Mexican citizens; Canadian permanent residence alone is insufficient.
Disclose who would receive the services
For TN, sole or controlling ownership of the U.S. entity receiving the professional’s services is prohibited self-employment. Adding a nominal supervisor does not cure that issue. Identify the actual receiving organization, ownership and decision rights instead of assuming a contract between two companies makes the proposed arrangement eligible.
Assess other routes on their own evidence
L-1 may present a different analysis involving qualifying organizations, employment abroad and the intended role; it does not impose an E-2-style treaty-nationality test. E-2 requires qualifying treaty nationality and investment facts. Neither is granted simply because a company exists. Keep the individual’s Canadian residence obligations and any future citizenship process separate from the U.S. category assessment.
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.