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TN Visas: Canadian and Mexican Professionals

What is a TN visa?

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), currently known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), creates special economic and trade relationships within North America. As such, this agreement offers TN classification to qualified Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry into the U.S. in order to engage in business activities at a professional level. TN status is granted up to a maximum initial period of stay of three (3) years. Canadian citizens do not need a visa and may apply for TN status directly at the border or the airport for pre-screening with a letter and other documentation from the prospective U.S. employer. Mexican citizens must apply for a TN visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. TN extensions or renewals may be requested with USCIS if a foreign national is inside the U.S. or by traveling and applying at either a port of entry (Canada) or at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate (Mexico).

TNvisa

REQUIREMENTS

Only citizens of Canada or Mexico in certain enumerated occupations found in the NAFTA Appendix are authorized to work in the U.S. in TN status. The list of acceptable TN occupations includes professional-level positions which requires most of the TN applicants to have a Bachelor’s degree or license in the qualifying field.

TYPES

The following common occupations are included in the TN visa category, but this is not an exhaustive list:

    • Accountant
    • Architect
    • Computer systems analyst
    • Engineer
    • Lawyer
    • Management consultant
    • College and university teachers
    • Scientific Technologist
    • Numerous medical occupations

LENTINI VISAS EXPERIENCE

Over the years, we have assisted many clients with Canadian and Mexican TN visa applications with such occupations as Computer Systems Analysts, University Teachers, Management Analysts, Industrial Designers, Scientific Technologists and others. The TN category can be tricky, especially for Canadians, as the Customs Border Protection Officers are human, and may not have the same interpretation of an application depending on the port at which the application is submitted.