TN Visa Cost: All Fees for Canadians, Mexicans, and USCIS I-129 Filings
The TN visa is one of the most cost-effective U.S. work authorizations available. A Canadian professional can obtain up to three years of work status for the $50 land-border I-94 fee, plus a possible $6 charge for the physical card at some land ports. A Mexican professional pays $185 in government fees. Neither figure includes what most people forget: credential evaluation, attorney fees if you use one, and premium processing if you need certainty.
Here's the complete cost picture for 2026.
Canadian TN Fees at the Border
Canadians applying at a U.S. land border crossing pay:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| I-94 processing fee | $50 |
| Physical I-94 card at some land ports | $6 |
| Total government fees | $50 (or $56 where the physical-card fee applies) |
That's it for the government side. There's no visa stamp fee, no USCIS petition fee, and no embassy appointment charge.
The $50 fee is the land-border I-94 fee. Some land ports also charge $6 for the physical card. Verify the current fee schedule at your specific port of entry.
At U.S. airport preclearance stations (Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal, etc.), the I-94 fee is generally included in your airfare.
Mexican TN Fees at the Consulate
Mexican citizens applying through a U.S. consulate pay:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee | $185 |
| Biometric appointment (CAS) | Follow current Mission Mexico instructions |
| Total listed government fee | $185 MRV fee |
The $185 MRV fee is non-refundable, even if your visa application is denied. It must be paid before your interview appointment.
For Mexicans renewing a TN while already in the U.S. through an employer-filed I-129, the relevant fees are USCIS filing fees (see below) rather than consular fees.
USCIS I-129 Petition Fees (Both Nationalities)
When an employer files a Form I-129 petition with USCIS — either as an alternative to the border process (for new applications) or for in-country renewals — the fee structure is different:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| I-129 base filing fee | $510 |
| Premium Processing (15-business-day decision) | $2,965 (it was $2,805 before March 1, 2026) |
Total with standard processing: $510 in USCIS fees Total with premium processing: $3,475 in USCIS fees
These fees are generally paid by the employer. Many employers cover the I-129 fees but pass the credential evaluation costs to the employee — clarify this before the application process begins.
The applicable filing route and fees should be confirmed by the employer or its immigration counsel before filing.
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Credential Evaluation Costs
If your degree was earned outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, you need a credential evaluation to establish equivalency to a North American bachelor's degree. Agency fees, standard processing times, and rush availability vary.
NACES and AICE agencies, including WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), and FIS, offer credential evaluations. Check the selected agency's current quote and delivery options.
For Mexican professionals using a qualifying Mexican university degree, the Cedula Profesional is helpful but is not technically required; evaluation requirements still depend on the credential and route.
Attorney Fees (If You Use One)
Immigration attorneys typically charge:
- TN application attorney cost: $1,500–$5,000
Most straightforward TN applications don't require attorney involvement. The profession categories most likely to benefit from legal help are Management Consultant (high scrutiny, requires precise letter drafting), Scientific Technician (unusual category with specific requirements), and any situation involving prior denials or complex degree equivalency issues.
Total Cost Summary
| Scenario | Government Fees | Credential Eval | Typical Attorney | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian at border, degree from Canada | $50 (+ possible $6 card fee) | Not needed | $0 | $50 (or $56 with card fee) |
| Canadian at border, foreign degree | $50 (+ possible $6 card fee) | Variable | $0 | $50 + variable evaluation fee |
| Canadian at border, with attorney | $50 (+ possible $6 card fee) | Variable | $1,500–$5,000 | Variable |
| Mexican consular, no attorney | $185 | If applicable, variable | $0 | $185 + any applicable evaluation fee |
| Mexican consular, with attorney | $185 | If applicable, variable | $1,500–$5,000 | Variable |
| I-129 standard | $510 | If applicable, variable | $1,500–$5,000 if used | Variable |
| I-129 premium | $3,475 | If applicable, variable | $1,500–$5,000 if used | Variable |
The TN cost comparison to H-1B is stark. H-1B costs can be substantially higher once employer fees, legal fees, and LCA-related costs are included. The TN's low cost is a significant reason employers in USMCA-eligible sectors prefer it for Canadian and Mexican professionals.
What's Not Included
Travel costs — For Canadians driving to a land border crossing, this could be gas and a half-day of time. For Mexicans traveling to a consulate in a different city, this could be flights, hotels, and multiple days.
Missed start date costs — If you're denied at the border and need to reapply, your employer may face project delays, and you lose income for the days you're not working. The cost of preparation is minimal compared to the cost of a denial.
The US TN Visa (USMCA) Guide includes a full fee schedule, employer letter templates that reduce the risk of costly denials, and guidance on when the I-129 premium processing fee is worth paying versus the border application.
Get Your Free US TN Visa (USMCA) Guide — Quick-Start Checklist
Download the US TN Visa (USMCA) Guide — Quick-Start Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.