TN Visa Cost 2026: Quick Reference
| Fee | Canadian Route | Mexican Route |
|---|
| Application Fee | ~$50 (I-94 at POE) | $185 (MRV/DS-160) |
| SEVIS I-901 Fee | Not required | $192 |
| USCIS Petition (I-129) | Not required | Not required |
| Premium Processing | Not available | Not available |
| Attorney fees (optional) | $500–$1,500 | $500–$1,500 |
| Total (government fees) | ~$50 | $377 |
⚠️ Verify current fees at uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees before filing.
TN vs H-1B: Fee Comparison 2026
TN is significantly cheaper than H-1B — and requires no lottery. Here's the cost side-by-side:
| Fee Type | TN Visa | H-1B Visa |
|---|
| Base Government Fee | $50–$185 | $780 |
| Premium Processing | Not available | $2,965 (optional) |
| Asylum Program Fee | $0 | $600 (large employers) |
| Fraud Prevention Fee | $0 | $500 |
| Attorney Fees (est.) | $500–$1,500 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Total (with attorney) | $550–$1,685 | $4,880–$10,845 |
| Lottery required? | No | Yes (cap-subject) |
| Who's eligible? | Canadian & Mexican nationals | Any nationality |
| Processing time | Same day (Canada POE) | 2–6 months standard |
| Duration | 3 years (renewable) | 3 years (renewable, up to 6) |
Canadian and Mexican professionals in qualifying occupations should strongly consider TN before pursuing H-1B — the cost savings are $4,000–$9,000+ per application cycle, with no lottery risk. Run the H-1B Analyzer → to compare your H-1B eligibility alongside TN.
Government Filing Fees
$185
Base government fees (without premium)
Estimated Total Cost
$685–$1,685
Including attorney fees
Primary Form
I-94/DS-160
Main filing form
TN Visa (Canada/Mexico) — Fee Breakdown
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
| USCIS Filing Fee | $185 | Base petition fee |
| Attorney Fees (estimated) | $500–1,500 | Varies by attorney and complexity |
| Estimated Total | $685–$1,685 | Government + attorney |
Important Notes
Canadians apply at port of entry (~$50 I-94 fee). Mexicans apply at US consulate ($185 MRV fee + $192 I-901 SEVIS fee if applicable). No I-129 petition required for Canadians. No premium processing available for TN visas. Employer does not pay fees — applicant pays directly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a TN Visa (Canada/Mexico) cost in 2026?
Total cost for a TN Visa (Canada/Mexico) is approximately $685–$1,685 including government filing fees ($185) and attorney fees ($500–1,500). Fees vary by case complexity.
Who pays the government filing fees?
For employer-sponsored visas like H-1B, employers are legally required to pay USCIS filing fees. The H-1B statute prohibits employers from passing the basic filing fee to the employee. Attorney fees may be split or paid by the employer.
Is premium processing worth it?
Premium processing ($2,965) guarantees a USCIS action within 15 business days. It's worth it if you need certainty about your start date, are changing jobs, or face an urgent situation. Note: premium processing guarantees a decision (approval, denial, or RFE) — not necessarily an approval.
Is TN visa cheaper than H-1B?
Yes — significantly. The TN visa costs $50 (Canadian route at port of entry) or $377 in government fees (Mexican consular route) compared to $1,880 in mandatory H-1B government fees ($780 I-129 + $500 fraud prevention + $600 asylum surcharge for large employers). With attorney fees, TN total runs $550–$1,685 vs. $4,880–$10,845 for H-1B. TN also requires no lottery, no employer petition, and no multi-month USCIS processing wait for Canadians.
Do I need premium processing for a TN visa?
No — premium processing is not available for TN visas. This is actually an advantage: Canadian professionals applying at a US port of entry receive same-day TN admission decisions. Mexican nationals applying at a US consulate receive a decision at their interview, typically within 1–4 weeks of applying. The absence of premium processing is not a concern because TN processing is already fast.
What fees does my employer pay vs. me for TN?
For TN visas, the applicant typically pays all fees — unlike H-1B where the employer is legally required to cover USCIS filing fees. For the Canadian route: you pay the ~$50 I-94 fee at the port of entry. For the Mexican consular route: you pay the $185 MRV fee and $192 SEVIS I-901 fee. Attorney fees ($500–$1,500) may be covered by your employer as a benefit, but are not legally required. There is no USCIS petition — so no $780 I-129 fee that an employer would typically pay.