Mexican citizens moving to United States of America
Mexicans are the primary beneficiaries of the TN visa under USMCA, which gives streamlined processing for 60+ designated professional occupations with no numerical cap. H-2A agricultural and H-2B seasonal routes are also heavily used.
Notable: TN visas have no numerical cap and can be renewed in 3-year increments indefinitely.
Tourist entry
No. Mexican nationals require a visa to enter United States of America, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
- USMCA
- US E-1/E-2 Treaty
Consular processing: Mexico City / Monterrey / Guadalajara / Tijuana / Ciudad Juárez
Treaty and bilateral routes
These routes are available to Mexican applicants under specific bilateral agreements.
E-2 Treaty Investor
Non-immigrant treaty investor visa for nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the US.
TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)
Non-immigrant work visa under USMCA for Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professions.
Mexican TN applicants apply at a US consulate (not at a land port of entry) and receive a TN visa foil before travel. Processing is typically 2–6 weeks depending on consulate load. USMCA professions are the same for Canadian and Mexican applicants, but consular adjudication adds documentary scrutiny.
All United States of America routes
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Employer-sponsored non-immigrant visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager)
Intracompany transfer for executives or managers moving to a US office of a related multinational employer.
L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge)
Intracompany transfer for employees with specialised knowledge of the employer’s products, services, or processes.
O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics (O-1A) or the arts/film/television (O-1B).
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant)
Employment-based first-preference green card for individuals with extraordinary ability — self-petitionable.
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Second-preference green card with a waiver of the job offer and PERM labor certification, where the beneficiary’s work is in the US national interest.
EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
Third-preference employment-based green card requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)
Non-immigrant student visa for academic study at a SEVP-certified institution, with post-study OPT employment authorisation.
J-1 Exchange Visitor
Exchange visitor visa covering academic scholars, students, trainees, interns, researchers, au pairs, and other exchange programs.
K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen
Non-immigrant visa allowing the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then apply for a green card.
Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A)
Permanent residence for the spouse of a US citizen (IR1/CR1) or lawful permanent resident (F2A preference).
Frequently asked questions
Can Mexican citizens enter United States of America without a visa?
No. Mexican nationals require a visa to enter United States of America, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Which United States of America visa routes are best suited to Mexican applicants?
Treaty routes (E-2 Treaty Investor, TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)) apply specifically to Mexican nationals. Mexicans are the primary beneficiaries of the TN visa under USMCA, which gives streamlined processing for 60+ designated professional occupations with no numerical cap. H-2A agricultural and H-2B seasonal routes are also heavily used.
Where do Mexican applicants typically apply for a United States of America visa?
Applications are typically processed at Mexico City / Monterrey / Guadalajara / Tijuana / Ciudad Juárez. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with United States of America's immigration authority without a consular visit.