U.S. Immigration for Canadians: Find Your Route From Canada to the U.S.
For Canadian citizens and residents who want to work, invest or settle in the United States and want to know, before filing, which route fits. Since 1991, AIA has guided 25,000+ clients, and independent U.S. attorneys handle the filing.
since 1991
- Canadians can use TN, L-1, E-2, O-1 and the green card routes EB-2 NIW and EB-1A. The right one depends on your job, your company and your capital.
- On TN and L-1, Canadians do not need a consulate visa. You can apply at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance airport, or your employer can file first.
- TN needs a prearranged job with a U.S. employer. Your spouse on TD status cannot work.
- E-2 needs an investment and a visa through the State Department. Canada has been on the treaty list since 1 January 1994. Buying a franchise is one way to build the business.
- Canadian citizens do not use Express Entry. If you want a green card on your own, look at EB-2 NIW or EB-1A.
Why do Canadians pick the wrong U.S. route?
Most Canadians pick a route because a friend used it, then find out it needs an employer, a company link or capital they do not have. TN needs a U.S. employer, L-1 needs a company abroad and one year with it, and E-2 needs an investment (USCIS). A wrong start costs you months and filing fees that USCIS generally does not refund.
Here is how it usually goes wrong. You hear that Canadians “just walk in”, and assume it covers you. You set up a U.S. company before checking the L-1 rules. Or you plan a move around a job that does not fit the TN profession list.
Underneath, the feelings are real. You feel confident, because the border is close. You feel unsure, because the rules differ by route. And you feel rushed, because a job or a lease may have a date on it.
None of that means you made a mistake. It means the border looks easier than it is. The sections below show which route fits you.
Who is behind your U.S. plan, and why trust them?
Amir Ismail & Associates has guided 25,000+ clients since 1991, from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. We help you pick your U.S. route and plan your move, and independent U.S. attorneys handle the legal work and the filing. We also know both sides of the border, so we can tell you when staying in Canada is the better move.
Empathy: We know how much rides on a move where your job, your family and your savings all cross the border together.
Authority: Amir Ismail has worked in immigration since 1991. Over 35+ years, our team has guided 25,000+ clients from Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. That includes many Canadians and many people choosing between Canada and the United States.
Philosophy: We believe you should check the rules before you resign, sell or sign a lease. We believe a good advisor tells you when a route does not fit. And we believe you should know exactly who files your case.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
Since 1991, AIA has guided 25,000+ clients from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. We help you pick your U.S. route, and independent U.S. attorneys handle the legal work and the filing.
Honest route check
We tell you when a route does not fit, before you spend money.
A plan for your profile
We look at your record, citizenship and capital, not a template.
Clear on who does what
AIA organizes your plan. Independent U.S. attorneys give legal advice and file.
A two-country view
We know the Canada and U.S. sides, so you can compare both.
Built for your passport
We check your citizenship first, so you never plan around a visa you cannot use.
Since 1991
35+ years in immigration, 25,000+ clients guided, and the 2026 Canadian Choice Award.
Which U.S. route fits a Canadian?
The route that fits you depends on what you do and what you own. TN fits employees in listed professions, L-1 fits owners and managers of a company in Canada, E-2 fits investors, and O-1, EB-1A and EB-2 NIW fit people with a strong record. Each row below links to its page.
| Your situation | Route | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| A U.S. employer will hire you in a listed profession | TN | A prearranged job with a U.S. employer and a USMCA profession |
| You own or manage a company in Canada | L-1 | One continuous year with the Canadian company in the last three, and a related U.S. office |
| You want to invest in a U.S. business | E-2 | A substantial investment in a real, active business, and at least half ownership or control |
| You have proven talent in your field | O-1 | A major award or evidence of sustained acclaim, a U.S. employer or agent, and a written advisory opinion |
| You want to buy a U.S. franchise | E-2 franchise visa | Canadian citizenship (Canada qualifies), a substantial investment in a franchise unit, and at least half ownership or control. |
| You want a green card on your own, with an advanced degree | EB-2 NIW | An advanced degree or exceptional ability, and a project that serves the U.S. national interest. This route starts with a paid Strategy Consultation |
| You want a green card on your own, at the top of your field | EB-1A | A major award or at least 3 of 10 criteria |
Two routes may fit. Many Canadians start with a temporary route and plan the green card later.
What is TN status, and who can use it?
TN is a temporary U.S. work status for Canadian and Mexican citizens in professions covered by the USMCA. You need a prearranged full-time or part-time job with a U.S. employer or entity, and the qualifications to practice the profession. Your first stay can last up to three years (USCIS).
TN is not for everyone. The profession must be on the USMCA list, and the U.S. position must require that profession. The USCIS TN page does not cover self-employment, so ask an attorney before planning around it.
Here is the plain version of the requirements:
- Citizenship: you are a citizen of Canada or Mexico.
- Profession: your profession is covered by the USMCA, and the U.S. job requires it.
- Job: you have a prearranged job with a U.S. employer or entity.
- Qualifications: you have the qualifications to practice that profession.
How do Canadians apply for TN?
Canadian citizens are not required to apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate. You can ask for admission at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance station with proof of citizenship and an employer letter, or your employer can file Form I-129 first and you show the approval notice at the border. If you stay past your first period, you extend with a new Form I-129 or leave and reapply at the border (USCIS).
Can my spouse work on a TN?
No, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 hold TD status, and TD family members may not work. They may study, and their status lasts no longer than yours (USCIS). If your spouse needs to work, look at routes such as E-2 or L-1, where spouses can work.
Can I get a green card from TN?
The USCIS TN page does not say whether TN allows you to pursue a green card, so you need an attorney’s advice before you start. Many people on TN plan a green card through EB-2 NIW or EB-1A if their record fits. The green card step is a separate petition with its own tests.
How do Canadians enter on each route?
Where you apply depends on the route. For TN and L-1, Canadians can seek admission at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance airport, or get USCIS approval first. For E-2, an applicant outside the U.S. applies for a visa through the State Department (USCIS, CBP).
| Route | Where a Canadian applies |
|---|---|
| TN | At a U.S. port of entry or preclearance station with proof of citizenship and an employer letter, or after the employer files Form I-129 |
| L-1 | At a U.S. port of entry or preclearance airport with the petition package, or after USCIS approves Form I-129 |
| E-2 | An E-2 visa through the State Department if you are outside the U.S., or Form I-129 to change status if you are already in the U.S. in lawful status |
| O-1 | The U.S. employer or agent files Form I-129 with USCIS |
| EB-2 NIW and EB-1A | You file Form I-140 yourself with USCIS |
CBP encourages Canadians to use designated ports for L-1 processing. Check the current list before you travel.
What does AIA do for you?
We help you pick your route, test your plan, and arrange an independent U.S. attorney for you who files. Each service below has a clear benefit and a clear reason it matters. We do not file with USCIS or CBP, and we do not give U.S. legal advice.
| What we do | What you get | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Route check | A clear first pick from TN, L-1, E-2, O-1, EB-2 NIW and EB-1A | You stop guessing and start with a plan |
| Franchise introductions | Vetted introductions to franchise partners we know | You compare options with the facts in front of you |
| Border or consulate map | Where you apply for your route | You plan travel and dates correctly |
| Company and job check | A view on whether your employer or company fits the route | You do not resign before the route is clear |
| Independent U.S. attorney hand-off | A licensed attorney advises you and files | You can trust the legal side |
| Green card planning | A first view of the green card after a temporary route | You plan the next step from day one |
Think of us as the person who reads the map with you. The attorney drives the car.
How our process works
You take three steps: answer the short form, get your route review, and meet an independent U.S. attorney. AIA helps you pick the route and organize your documents, and the attorney handles the legal work and the filing.
Step 1: Answer the short form
Tell us your job, your company, your capital and where you want to live.
Step 2: Get your route review
If your answers fit a U.S. route, we call you to go over it and your next steps. For EB-2 NIW, this step is a paid Strategy Consultation with Amir.
Step 3: Meet an independent U.S. attorney
They confirm your eligibility, advise you on the law, and file for you once they are engaged under your signed agreement.
Find my U.S. route
Answer a few questions. A member of our team will contact you. No obligation.
AIA is not a law firm. U.S. legal services are provided by independent, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys we arrange for you under a signed agreement.
Questions about cost, time and results
Most Canadians ask three things before they start: what it costs, how long it takes, and whether they will qualify. The answers below are honest and short. If yours is missing, the short form lets you ask.
Do Canadians need a visa to work in the U.S.?
It depends on the route. For TN and L-1, Canadians do not need a consulate visa and can seek admission at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance airport (USCIS, CBP). For E-2, an applicant outside the U.S. applies for a visa through the State Department.
Can Canadians get a U.S. route without a U.S. employer?
Yes, E-2 (you invest in a business), O-1 (an agent or your own company can be part of the setup) and EB-2 NIW or EB-1A (green cards you file yourself) do not need an outside U.S. employer. TN needs a U.S. employer, and L-1 needs a related U.S. company, so they fit employees and company owners. The right pick depends on whether you invest, own a company, or have a strong record.
What does a U.S. route cost, and who do I pay?
You pay different parties for different things: the government, your attorney, and the cost of the job, company or investment behind your route. Government fees are set by USCIS and the State Department, and each attorney sets their own fees. EB-2 NIW starts with a paid Strategy Consultation with Amir.
We do not quote fees on this page.
A wrong filing costs more than a good plan, because government fees are generally not refunded. Checking your route first is the cheaper path.
How long does the process take?
It depends on your route, how ready your documents are, and how busy USCIS or the border office is. A TN at the border can be quick, and a green card route takes longer. We do not quote dates before we review your case, because a guess helps nobody.
Will I qualify?
No one can promise you will qualify. The short form and the route review tell you honestly where you stand, including when a route does not fit. If a route is a poor match, we say so before you spend money.
A better-fitting route beats a hopeful filing.
What happens if you wait, and what does success look like?
If you wait, you keep guessing, and a job offer, a lease or a company plan may move ahead of your route. If you pick your route first, you cross the border with the right plan and the right attorney. The short form takes a few minutes.
If you stay stuck: another year of hearing that Canadians just walk in. A job offer sits waiting while the route stays unclear. A filing that does not fit costs you months and fees you will not get back.
If you act now: you know which route fits, you know where you apply, and you know who files your case. You feel relieved and confident, because the next step is clear. That is what we help you reach.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
U.S. legal scope. AIA is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in the United States. U.S. legal services are provided by independent, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys, chosen case by case for fit and cost, whom we arrange for you under a signed agreement. Any attorney-client relationship is between you and that attorney. AIA’s Canadian immigration services are separate. This page is general information, not legal advice.
