United States visa processing time for Canadians 2026
How long each United States route takes once you apply, and how early Canadians should start gathering documents so nothing expires or runs late.
Processing time by route
| Visa | Decision | Start preparing |
|---|---|---|
| TN Visa (USMCA Professional) | 1 week | about 13 weeks before moving |
| H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa | 26–30 weeks | about 11 months before moving |
| L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa | 1–3 weeks | about 10 weeks before moving |
| E-2 Treaty Investor Visa | varies | about 13 weeks before moving |
| F-1 Student Visa | varies | about 13 weeks before moving |
“Start preparing” adds the time to gather every document in order and two weeks of slack to the decision time.
Get your own dated plan
See which United States visas fit you, then get every step with a due date worked back from your move date.
Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does a United States work visa take for Canadians?
- Typical processing is 1 week for the TN Visa (USMCA Professional), 26–30 weeks for the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa, and 1–3 weeks for the L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.
- What is the fastest United States visa for Canadians?
- The TN Visa (USMCA Professional), at 1 week after applying.
- How early should Canadians start preparing a United States visa?
- For the TN Visa (USMCA Professional), start about 13 weeks before your move. That covers gathering documents in the right order, the decision wait, and two weeks of slack. Processing time alone understates it, because documents often take longer than the decision.