Key Takeaways
- TN visa holders from Canada and Mexico are not US citizens and fail the March 2026 SBA ownership rule
- TN visas are renewable indefinitely, meaning many holders operate US businesses for 10+ years
- Bankable funds TN visa business owners up to $5M based on business revenue, not passport
- Canadian and Mexican TN holders often operate technical consulting and professional services firms
- 48-hour decisions and 92% approval rate on revenue-qualified TN business owner applications
The TN visa—created under NAFTA and continued under USMCA—allows Canadian and Mexican citizens in specific professional categories to work in the United States. Unlike most other work visas, TN status is granted at the port of entry and is renewable indefinitely. Many TN holders have been in the United States for 10, 15, or even 20 years, building careers, families, and businesses.
TN holders who own businesses—consulting firms, professional practices, tech companies—were caught entirely off guard by the March 2026 SBA rule. The rule's 100% citizen ownership requirement eliminates TN holders, despite many being long-term US residents who pay taxes and employ American workers.
SBA vs. Alternatives: 2026 Comparison
| Option | Citizenship Required | Amount | Decision Time | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) | Yes (100% US citizen/national as of March 2026) | Up to $5M | 30-90 days | Blocked for non-citizens |
| Traditional Banks | Usually required | Varies | 30-60 days | ~20% for non-citizens |
| CDFIs | No (limited capacity) | Up to $250K | 2-4 weeks | 50-60% |
| Bankable (Revenue-Based) | No citizenship required | Up to $5M | 48 hours | 92% revenue-qualified |
TN Visa Business Profiles
TN visa categories cover a wide range of professions, and the businesses TN holders operate reflect their professional expertise:
- Canadian TN holders: Often engineers, IT consultants, architects, and scientists who launch consulting practices alongside or after their employment.
- Mexican TN holders: Frequently accountants, engineers, scientists, and management consultants, many of whom serve both US and cross-border Mexican clients.
- Shared characteristics: TN business owners tend to operate in professional services with high revenue per client, making them strong candidates for revenue-based lending.
The USMCA Contradiction
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was designed to facilitate cross-border professional movement and business activity. The March 2026 SBA rule directly undermines this objective for business-owning TN holders from both treaty nations. Canadian and Mexican professionals who built businesses in the United States under the expectation that USMCA would support their economic participation now find that the SBA—the federal small business lending backstop—is closed to them.
Bankable for TN Visa Business Owners
Bankable's funding process is simpler for TN business owners than navigating SBA alternatives: 5 minutes to apply, 48 hours to a decision, and funding within a week. We need your EIN, 3 months of business bank statements, and basic business information. Canadian citizen or Mexican citizen—it doesn't matter to us. Your business revenue is your application. Start here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, through private lenders. The SBA blocked TN holders on March 1, 2026 under the 100% citizen ownership rule. Bankable offers revenue-based funding up to $5M for Canadian and Mexican TN holders.
No. Despite USMCA facilitating TN status, the March 2026 SBA rule applies regardless of trade agreement status. SBA lending is governed by domestic policy, not USMCA trade provisions.
TN status can be renewed indefinitely in 3-year increments. Many TN holders have been in the US for a decade or more, building substantial businesses.
Engineering, IT consulting, accounting, architecture, science, and management consulting are the most common. TN categories require professional qualifications.
Yes. Bankable's funding range of $50K to $5M is available to TN holders from Canada and Mexico on the same revenue-based criteria as any other business owner.
No. Both Canadian and Mexican TN holders fail the 100% US citizen/national ownership test equally under the March 2026 rule.
If the US citizen spouse owns 100% of the business, the SBA application may be eligible—but this would require transferring your ownership stake entirely. Consult an attorney and contact Bankable as an alternative.
Complete the 5-minute application at bankablefunds.com/bankability-score with your EIN and 3 months of bank statements. No immigration documentation needed.
Bankable serves US-based businesses. Your business must operate primarily in the United States to qualify.
Minimum $150K annually and 12 months of operating history. Professional service firms with consistent client revenue often exceed these thresholds.