EB-1A
VS
TN Mexicans
Type
Green card
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
NAFTA Professionals from Mexico
Profiles that typically qualify
Entrepreneurs, Industry experts, Researchers, STEM professionals, Athletes, Artists
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors, Management consultants
Requirements
Demonstrate sustained extraordinary achievement in your field with at least 3 of 10 types of required evidence, such as receiving prestigious awards, being featured in media or professional publications, earning a high remuneration relative to your peers, or holding a critical or relevant role in a distinguished organization or project.
Continue working in your area of extraordinary ability in the U.S.
You must be a citizen of Mexico.
You must meet the educational credentials or work experience required under NAFTA for your profession, with a job offer that matches those qualifications. Professions eligible for this status include, but are not limited to, accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.
Pros
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant independence.
No labor certification is required, simplifying the application process.
Offers the fastest pathway to a green card among EB categories.
Direct path to citizenship after 5 years.
Renewable indefinitely, allowing long-term employment opportunities in the U.S.
No annual cap, providing a reliable option for eligible professionals.
Cons
High standard to demonstrate extraordinary ability.
Limited to specific professions listed under the NAFTA agreement.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer.
Sponsorship
Not required
Required
Validity period
Permanent
4 years
Renewable
Every 10 years
Indefinitely, 4-year increments
Without premium processing
10-24 months1
1 to 3 months1
With premium processing
15 business days2
Not available
Can spouse work
Yes
No
Disclaimers
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available only for the first stage of the process, while the second stage typically takes an additional 9-18 months.
1Processing time may vary depending on interview wait times at the consulate.
Type
EB-1A
Green card
TN Mexicans
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
EB-1A
Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
TN Mexicans
NAFTA Professionals from Mexico
Profiles that typically qualify
EB-1A
Entrepreneurs, Industry experts, Researchers, STEM professionals, Athletes, Artists
TN Mexicans
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors, Management consultants
Requirements
EB-1A
Demonstrate sustained extraordinary achievement in your field with at least 3 of 10 types of required evidence, such as receiving prestigious awards, being featured in media or professional publications, earning a high remuneration relative to your peers, or holding a critical or relevant role in a distinguished organization or project.
Continue working in your area of extraordinary ability in the U.S.
TN Mexicans
You must be a citizen of Mexico.
You must meet the educational credentials or work experience required under NAFTA for your profession, with a job offer that matches those qualifications. Professions eligible for this status include, but are not limited to, accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.
Pros
EB-1A
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant independence.
No labor certification is required, simplifying the application process.
Offers the fastest pathway to a green card among EB categories.
Direct path to citizenship after 5 years.
TN Mexicans
Renewable indefinitely, allowing long-term employment opportunities in the U.S.
No annual cap, providing a reliable option for eligible professionals.
Cons
EB-1A
High standard to demonstrate extraordinary ability.
TN Mexicans
Limited to specific professions listed under the NAFTA agreement.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer.
Sponsorship
EB-1A
Not required
TN Mexicans
Required
Validity period
EB-1A
Permanent
TN Mexicans
4 years
Renewable
EB-1A
Every 10 years
TN Mexicans
Indefinitely, 4-year increments
Without premium processing
EB-1A
10-24 months1
TN Mexicans
1 to 3 months1
With premium processing
EB-1A
15 business days2
TN Mexicans
Not available
Can spouse work
EB-1A
Yes
TN Mexicans
No
Disclaimers
EB-1A
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available only for the first stage of the process, while the second stage typically takes an additional 9-18 months.
TN Mexicans
1Processing time may vary depending on interview wait times at the consulate.