On July 1, 2026, the Trump administration announced that it will not renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), triggering the agreement’s built-in six-year review process and beginning a potential 10-year path toward expiration.
Although this development has generated significant attention, there is no immediate impact to Trade NAFTA (TN) nonimmigrant status or the ability of Canadian and Mexican professionals to obtain TN classification. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services continue to adjudicate TN applications under existing eligibility standards. Employers should therefore continue regular workforce planning practices for current and prospective TN employees.
Under the treaty’s “sunset” provisions, the United States, Canada, and Mexico will engage in annual review discussions. If the parties do not agree to extend or replace it, USMCA would expire on July 1, 2036. This review process is separate from the treaty’s withdrawal provision, which would permit a member country to withdraw upon six months’ notice. No such withdrawal has been announced.
