H-2B
VS
TN Mexicans
Type
Nonimmigrant visa
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
NAFTA Professionals from Mexico
Profiles that typically qualify
Landscapers, Hospitality workers, Construction workers, Technicians, Retail staff
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors, Management consultants
Requirements
Employers must demonstrate a temporary need, which is limited to up to three years for a one-time need or 10 months for seasonal, peak load, or intermittent needs.
Employers must provide evidence that there are no U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform the temporary work.
Employers must certify that hiring H-2B workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
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
Does not focus on individual credentials, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants.
Allows U.S. employers to address temporary labor shortages in non-agricultural sectors.
Flexible in meeting seasonal, peak load, and intermittent labor needs.
Renewable indefinitely, allowing long-term employment opportunities in the U.S.
No annual cap, providing a reliable option for eligible professionals.
Cons
Subject to semi-annual quotas and a rigid lottery-based application process.
Employers must undergo a rigorous certification process to prove the unavailability of U.S. workers.
Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.
Limited to specific professions listed under the NAFTA agreement.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer.
Sponsorship
Required
Required
Validity period
Duration of labor certification, up to 1 year, renewable for a total of up to 3 years
4 years
Renewable
Renewable up to 3 years
Indefinitely, 4-year increments
Without premium processing
5-6 months
1 to 3 months1
With premium processing
15 business days
Not available
Can spouse work
No
No
Disclaimers
-
1Processing time may vary depending on interview wait times at the consulate.
Type
H-2B
Nonimmigrant visa
TN Mexicans
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
H-2B
Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
TN Mexicans
NAFTA Professionals from Mexico
Profiles that typically qualify
H-2B
Landscapers, Hospitality workers, Construction workers, Technicians, Retail staff
TN Mexicans
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors, Management consultants
Requirements
H-2B
Employers must demonstrate a temporary need, which is limited to up to three years for a one-time need or 10 months for seasonal, peak load, or intermittent needs.
Employers must provide evidence that there are no U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform the temporary work.
Employers must certify that hiring H-2B workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
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
H-2B
Does not focus on individual credentials, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants.
Allows U.S. employers to address temporary labor shortages in non-agricultural sectors.
Flexible in meeting seasonal, peak load, and intermittent labor needs.
TN Mexicans
Renewable indefinitely, allowing long-term employment opportunities in the U.S.
No annual cap, providing a reliable option for eligible professionals.
Cons
H-2B
Subject to semi-annual quotas and a rigid lottery-based application process.
Employers must undergo a rigorous certification process to prove the unavailability of U.S. workers.
Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.
TN Mexicans
Limited to specific professions listed under the NAFTA agreement.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer.
Sponsorship
H-2B
Required
TN Mexicans
Required
Validity period
H-2B
Duration of labor certification, up to 1 year, renewable for a total of up to 3 years
TN Mexicans
4 years
Renewable
H-2B
Renewable up to 3 years
TN Mexicans
Indefinitely, 4-year increments
Without premium processing
H-2B
5-6 months
TN Mexicans
1 to 3 months1
With premium processing
H-2B
15 business days
TN Mexicans
Not available
Can spouse work
H-2B
No
TN Mexicans
No
Disclaimers
H-2B
-
TN Mexicans
1Processing time may vary depending on interview wait times at the consulate.