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United StatesCanadians have more ways to work in the US than almost anyone else, including a few that are only open to Canadians and Mexicans. The right one depends on whether you have a job offer, run a business, or work for a company with a US office. Here’s every main option on one page.
Updated November 2026.
Start with the quick guide below. Most Canadians fit at least one route.
| Your situation | Route to look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| US job offer in a listed profession | TN visa | Fastest. Approved at the border, often the same day. |
| You want to buy or start a US business | E-2 investor visa | No job offer needed. Your spouse can work too. |
| You work for a Canadian company opening or with a US office | L-1 visa | For managers and specialists. Can lead to a green card. |
| Your job isn’t on the TN list, or you want green card flexibility | H-1B visa | Degree-level jobs. Lottery-based. |
| Top of your field: awards, publications, press | O-1 visa | For people with extraordinary ability. |
| Your Canadian business trades heavily with the US | E-1 visa | For substantial trade between Canada and the US. |
| You want to stay permanently through a job | EB-3 green card | Employer-sponsored permanent residence. |
For Canadian citizens with a US job in one of about 60 professions, like engineers, nurses, accountants and analysts. Up to 3 years at a time, renewable. Your spouse can’t work on a TD visa.
For Canadians who invest in and run a US business. No set minimum investment. Up to 5-year visas, renewable indefinitely, and your spouse can work.
For managers, executives and specialists who’ve worked at least a year for a company with a US branch, parent or affiliate. Works for small Canadian businesses opening a US office too.
For degree-level jobs. Allows green card plans, but there’s an annual lottery, and the rules are changing in 2026: a new wage-based selection process took effect, and a US$100,000 fee on some new petitions has been challenged in court.
For people with extraordinary ability in business, science, the arts or athletics, shown by awards, media coverage, high pay or major contributions.
A US employer can sponsor you for permanent residence, usually through the EB-2 or EB-3 categories. It takes longer, but it’s permanent.
Visiting the US as a Canadian lets you attend meetings, negotiate contracts and do some limited business, but not do productive work for a US company or get paid from US sources. Working “remotely” from inside the US for a US employer still needs work authorization. If in doubt, ask before you go.
For most Canadian professionals with a US job offer, the TN. It’s approved at the border, often the same day, if your job is on the USMCA list. Business owners often look at the E-2 instead.
Yes, through the E-2 investor visa if you invest in and run a US business, or the L-1 if your own Canadian company opens a US branch. Moving to the US without a job
It depends on your visa. Spouses of E-2 and L-1 holders can work. Spouses of TN holders can’t. Spouses of H-1B holders can only in some cases.
Work visas are temporary, but a green card is permanent. Employers can sponsor you through EB-2 or EB-3, and some temporary visas, like the L-1, lead naturally to a green card.
For TN and L-1, Canadians usually don’t. They apply at the border or airport preclearance. For the E-2, Canadians do need a visa from the US Consulate in Toronto.
Tell us about your job, business and plans. We’ll tell you plainly which routes are open to you and which one gets you there fastest.
VisaPlace Immigration works with licensed and experienced immigration lawyers, who are independent and operate separately from VisaPlace Immigration. VisaPlace Immigration does not provide legal advice. This page is for information purposes only and reflects information available in November 2026. Rules can change. For legal advice, consult a licensed immigration lawyer. Sources: USCIS, TN USMCA Professionals, E-2 Treaty Investors, L-1A and H-1B Specialty Occupations; US Embassy and Consulates in Canada.
