United States of America
TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico): government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
TN is the cheapest US work visa by a wide margin: around $56 at the port of entry for Canadian citizens, or the $185 MRV consular fee for Mexican citizens, with no employer petition required for most applications.
These are the fees paid to the United States of America government. Your employer does not pay these fees — they are paid by you as the applicant (though some employers reimburse them). Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) cost in United States?
TN is the cheapest US work visa by a wide margin: around $56 at the port of entry for Canadian citizens, or the $185 MRV consular fee for Mexican citizens, with no employer petition required for most applications.
Verified against State Department — Fees for Visa Services on 1 June 2026.
Headline total
US$56
Canadian citizen, port-of-entry filing
Currency
USD (United States dollar)
Last checked
1 June 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
DS-160 / consular fee (Mexican applicants at consulate) TN is non-petition-based, so the $185 MRV fee applies (not the $205 petition-based worker rate). Mexican citizens apply at a US consulate; Canadian citizens apply at a port of entry. | US$185 | Yes |
Port-of-entry fee (Canadian applicants, I-94 issuance) Canadians present documents directly to CBP; no DS-160 required. Historically ~$56 ($50 TN processing + $6 I-94). Under HR-1 the I-94 land-border fee rose to $30 from 30 September 2025, so the combined port-of-entry total has changed — verify the current CBP charges before budgeting. | US$56 | Yes |
I-129 petition (employer-filed, change-of-status from inside US) Only applies if the employer is filing I-129 for change of status. Small employer rate $510. | US$1,015 | Optional |
Asylum Program Fee (if I-129 filed) | US$600 | Optional |
Worked example
Canadian citizen, port-of-entry filing — US$56
- $56 I-94 fee at CBP port of entry
- Canadian citizens are exempt from the DS-160 consular fee.
How to read these fees
The US$56 headline covers canadian citizen, port-of-entry filing. Of the 4 components listed above, 2 are mandatory and 2 are optional add-ons (such as priority processing) you can choose to skip. The single biggest mandatory line is DS-160 / consular fee (Mexican applicants at consulate) at US$185.
Bringing family changes the total — see the dependant section below. Treat the figure as a planning estimate rather than a quote: confirm each line on the official source linked below on the day you pay, because these fees are revised regularly.
Dependant fees
TD dependants (spouse and children under 21) pay the same port-of-entry / consular fees as the principal applicant.
Why fees change
The Mexican applicant pays the $185 non-petition MRV fee (not the $205 petition-based rate). Under HR-1 the CBP I-94 land-border fee rose to $30 on 30 September 2025, changing the Canadian port-of-entry total — verify with CBP. USMCA-defined eligibility and the professional list at USMCA Chapter 16 drive qualifying occupations.
Primary source
State Department — Fees for Visa Services
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html
Frequently asked questions
How much does the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) cost in government fees?
TN is the cheapest US work visa by a wide margin: around $56 at the port of entry for Canadian citizens, or the $185 MRV consular fee for Mexican citizens, with no employer petition required for most applications. The worked example assumes canadian citizen, port-of-entry filing, totalling US$56. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
The Mexican applicant pays the $185 non-petition MRV fee (not the $205 petition-based rate). Under HR-1 the CBP I-94 land-border fee rose to $30 on 30 September 2025, changing the Canadian port-of-entry total — verify with CBP. USMCA-defined eligibility and the professional list at USMCA Chapter 16 drive qualifying occupations.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
TD dependants (spouse and children under 21) pay the same port-of-entry / consular fees as the principal applicant.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico).
Processing time
How long the TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) takes from application to decision.
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Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.