Why the letter matters
Canadians apply for TN at the border, so there’s no petition file for the officer to review in advance. The support letter is the document that explains the job. A clear letter makes the officer’s decision easy; a vague one invites questions.
There’s no official government form. The letter is written by the employer, on company letterhead, and signed by someone who can confirm the details.
The five things it must affirm
Under 8 CFR 214.6(d)(3)(ii), the documentation for a Canadian TN applicant should affirm:
- The profession, as listed in Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of USMCA Chapter 16.
- A description of the professional activities, including a brief summary of daily job duties.
- The anticipated length of stay.
- The educational qualifications or appropriate credentials that demonstrate professional-level status.
- The arrangements for remuneration, meaning how you’ll be paid.
A section-by-section outline
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Letterhead and date | The employer’s legal name and address; the date it’s signed. |
| Addressee and subject | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A subject line naming the applicant, “citizen of Canada”, the TN profession and the position. |
| The request | One paragraph asking that the applicant be admitted in TN status as [profession] in the position of [title], or granted a new period of TN status for a renewal. |
| About the company | What the business does, and where. |
| The position and duties | The title, who the role reports to, where it’s based, and a bulleted list of the main duties at a professional level. |
| Minimum requirements | The education or credential the employer requires for the role, consistent with the TN list. |
| Qualifications | The applicant’s degree, licence, designation or experience, with evidence enclosed. |
| Length of stay | That the position is temporary, with start and end dates (up to three years). |
| Remuneration | Salary, hours, and that pay is through the employer’s U.S. payroll; benefits if applicable. |
| Closing and signature | A contact for questions; the signer’s name and title. |
| Enclosures | The credential evidence that accompanies the letter. |
Writing the duties
- Be specific and professional. “Prepare consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP” beats “help with accounting”.
- Match the profession. The duties should read as the listed profession, not a neighbouring one (see the profession guides).
- Keep it true. Every duty should be something the employer will confirm and you can describe in your own words. Never inflate or reword the job to fit a category.
- Four to eight bullets is usually enough to show the substance of the role.
Who signs, and how
The signer should be someone with authority who knows the role: the hiring manager, a department leader or HR. The letter goes on company letterhead, is signed and dated, and the applicant carries the original plus a copy. If the company’s letterhead already shows the name and address, a separate header block isn’t needed.
Common mistakes
- Describing the job in generic HR language that could fit any role.
- Using duties that belong to a different occupation (bookkeeping, programming, technician work).
- Leaving out dates, pay or the temporary nature of the position.
- Credential statements that don’t match the TN list for the profession.
- Letters that contradict the applicant’s résumé or answers.
Letters for renewals and new employers
For a renewal with the same employer, the letter asks for a new period of TN status to continue in the position and confirms the applicant’s current employment. A new employer needs its own new TN application and letter; TN status doesn’t transfer between employers. See TN renewal.
Get a letter built from your answers
TNPath assembles an editable Word letter covering all five points, plus a personalized PDF guide.
Common questions
Is there an official TN support letter template?
No. There’s no government form. The regulation describes what the documentation must affirm, and the employer writes the letter on its letterhead.
Can I write the letter myself?
You can prepare a draft, and many applicants do, but the employer must review it, correct anything inaccurate, put it on letterhead and sign it. The facts have to be the employer’s.
How long should a TN support letter be?
Usually one to two pages. It needs enough detail to cover the five required points and describe the duties concretely.
Does the letter need the salary?
The regulation asks for the arrangements for remuneration, so letters typically state the salary, hours, and that pay is through the U.S. employer’s payroll.
Will TNPath tell me whether I qualify?
No. TNPath is a document-assembly tool. It organizes the facts you provide into templates and gives general information. It doesn’t make eligibility determinations or recommend case-specific strategy. Only U.S. Customs and Border Protection decides whether to admit you.
Sources
- 8 CFR 214.6: Citizens of Canada or Mexico seeking TN status (Cornell LII)
- eCFR: 8 CFR 214.6
- CBP: Traveling on a TN or L-1 from Canada
Last reviewed September 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with official sources before you travel.