Can I have a company in Canada and hire myself to work in the USA?

It is important to understand that the TN visa was created to facilitate the entry of qualified professionals in certain fields, always based on a formal employment relationship with a company in the United States. This visa requires a concrete job offer from a U.S. employer and that the relationship between the parties is genuine, that is, that there is the typical structure of an employment bond, with supervision, definition of responsibilities, and other characteristics of a traditional hiring.

In the case of owning a company in Canada and thinking about hiring yourself to provide services in the USA, several nuances arise. The TN criteria generally do not accommodate self-employment structures, as U.S. authorities seek to demonstrate that there is real employment – with an employer who assumes responsibilities over the job performance – and not a situation where the same professional hires themselves through an entity.

If the Canadian company is used only as a way to create a third-party intermediary without establishing a traditional employment bond with a U.S. company, there may be difficulties in proving eligibility for the TN visa. Each case has specific details that can influence the analysis, and the interpretation of immigration rules may vary according to the circumstances presented to the immigration officer, whether at the border or during visa processing.

Therefore, it is essential to align any strategy with the current legal provisions, avoiding structures that could be interpreted as attempts to circumvent the formal requirements of the visa. It is recommended, before making any decision, to seek guidance from specialized professionals who can assess all aspects of the case, always respecting U.S. immigration rules. Following the law and relying on information from reliable sources is fundamental to avoid complications, scams, or excessively optimistic promises of results.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.