Organize a TN file by the work performed and the employment arrangement, then use the travel schedule as supporting context. Eligible citizenship, the listed profession and its qualifications remain central even when the offer includes several customer locations. Make a source list before drafting: citizenship proof, qualification records, a detailed employer letter and any record that explains customer-site work or an intermediary. An eligible Canadian professional may seek TN classification from CBP, while an employer can request approval through Form I-129; the evidence must still show prearranged professional employment rather than self-directed U.S. business activity.
Create a duty-by-location worksheet
Hypothetical example: an applicant will prepare designs at the employer’s office and visit two customers to explain implementation. Record each duty, its purpose and who directs it. Ask the employer to resolve vague terms such as “general support.” The exercise should reveal the real assignment rather than force every activity into a preferred profession. Add a decision column to the worksheet: does the activity support the chosen profession, and who verifies it? Hypothetical example: a forest-products engineer will inspect mills for an employer but the schedule also lists vendor meetings. The employer must decide which tasks belong in the support letter and which are merely travel context.
Build the profession and credential connection
Identify the precise TN profession and the applicable requirements. Match qualifications to actual records, including permitted alternatives where relevant. Canadian permanent residence does not satisfy TN citizenship eligibility. A professional-sounding title, extensive experience or a customer’s enthusiasm does not automatically replace the listed profession’s requirements. For each qualification, identify the issuing record and any name-change or equivalency document needed to connect it to the applicant. The concrete decision is whether the existing evidence meets the exact listed requirement or whether another route should be assessed before travel is booked.
Reconcile the employment documents
Compare the offer, support letter and any relevant customer arrangement. Identify the employer and any intermediary or ownership interests for review. Explain genuine changes rather than leaving conflicting versions in the file. Once the substantive proposal is clear, confirm the appropriate process; do not assume a preferred itinerary establishes eligibility or authorization to begin work. Create a conflict log for dates, job titles, supervision and customer duties. Where a contract uses broad language, obtain a focused employer explanation instead of inserting assumptions into the letter. The reader must decide whether the employment facts are sufficiently settled to make a current request.
What else is on your mind?
Is a matching job title enough for TN?Can years of experience replace a degree for TN?Can my own U.S. company employ me under TN?Can my spouse work if I hold TN status?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.