Is there a 60-day grace period for TN as with the H-1B?

Yes. Contrary to a common belief, the TN visa does include the same up-to-60-day grace period that applies to the H-1B when employment ends. A federal immigration rule extends this benefit to several work categories, including E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, and the TN itself.

In practice, if you lose the job that supports your TN, you are not treated as immediately out of status: there is a window of up to 60 consecutive days, or until the end of your already authorized period of stay, whichever comes first. This grace period may be used once during each validity period.

A few key points:

• The grace period is meant for regrouping: finding a new offer that fits a TN-eligible profession, requesting a change to another visa category, or planning an orderly departure.
• You generally cannot work during the grace period unless you obtain a new valid basis to do so.
• The benefit is discretionary: in cases of prior violations, the government may shorten it or decline to grant it.

Because grace and status rules can change and are assessed case by case, it is worth confirming the current conditions with USCIS or an immigration professional before making any decision.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.