TN Visa

TN Visa permit is the type of non-immigrant visa only for professionals from Canada and Mexico. NAFTA is an acronym that symbolizes the North American Free Trade Agreement.

What Is TN Visa

The United States, in partnership with the North American countries of Mexico and Canada, established NAFTA to strengthen ties among American nations. The NAFTA Visa, or TN Visa, temporarily permits Canadian and Mexican citizens engaged in accepted NAFTA professions to reside and seek employment in the United States. There is no annual quota for the TN Visa. Meaning, all qualifying candidates have an equal chance of being granted a visa.

The United States, in partnership with the North American countries of Mexico and Canada, established NAFTA to strengthen ties among American nations. The NAFTA Visa, or TN Visa, temporarily permits Canadian and Mexican citizens engaged in accepted NAFTA professions to reside and seek employment in the United States. There is no annual quota for the TN Visa. Meaning, all qualifying candidates have an equal chance of being granted a visa.

What Does It Mean To Have A TN Visa in the U.S.?

TN Visa permit is the type of non-immigrant visa only for professionals from Canada and Mexico. NAFTA is an acronym that symbolizes the North American Free Trade Agreement. This agreement was established to ascertain unique financial and business ties among the three countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While only people from Canada and Mexico are permitted a TN Visa, not all nationals  of these nations are eligible for it. The list of eligible candidates includes 60 professionals, including accountants, researchers, scientists, engineers, attorneys, doctors, and educators and more.

Criteria and Documents Required for a TN Visa

To be qualified for the TN visa, you should meet a specific set of conditions. These include general, academic, professional experience and certain other standards for medical professionals.

The following constitute the standard conditions for obtaining a TN visa:

  • The candidate should be a Canadian or Mexican national.
  • The person must work in a NAFTA-approved profession.
  • The applicant should have a permanent or temporary employment agreement with a bonafide company in the United States.
  • The employment position posting should state a vacancy for a NAFTA worker. The candidate should meet every educational, training, and work experience criteria.
  • The applicant should have an intention of returning to their country once the visa terminates.

Apart from fulfilling all the above criteria, the applicant should also have all the necessary certifications, academic qualifications, and work experience.

How Long Will My TN Visa Be Valid?

If you hold a TN visa, the initial stay in the United States is three years. However, it is possible to extend this period by submitting a request. It is necessary to apply for an extension to stay in the United States beyond the initial three years without leaving the country.

If you are currently in the United States, your employer can file Form I-129 on your behalf. To request an extension for your TN visa, consulting with a TN Visa Lawyer based in NYC may be beneficial.

Alternatively, you can depart from the United States before your status expires. Once you have left the country, you can apply for readmission at a CBP-designated United States port of entry or at a designated pre-flight or pre-clearance inspection station. The application process and required documentation are the same as when you first applied for admission as a TN nonimmigrant.

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Other Type Of Work Visa

What is the TN Visa Application Process For Canadian Citizenship?

As a Canadian citizen, you are not required to apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate. You may establish eligibility for TN classification when you seek admission to the United States by presenting required documentation to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at specific CBP-designated U.S. ports of entry or a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station.

One should present the following documents at the border checkpoint:

  • Original travel documents or identity documents for Canadian citizenship.
  • A statement from a potential US-centered company offering a position in the United States.
  • Graduate diplomas and professional history demonstrate suitability for the desired employment role.
  • Evidence of a license to practice the trade or profession.

If you’re a Canadian citizen outside the U.S., a prospective TN employer can file a Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, on your behalf. This form is submitted to USCIS. Once the Form I-129 is approved, you, as the prospective worker, can apply to CBP for admission to the U.S. as a TN nonimmigrant. You must provide documentation to a CBP officer, such as proof of Canadian citizenship and the Approval Notice for Form I-129 from USCIS. Find out more about the TN visa process.

To ensure the smooth processing of your TN visa application, it is crucial to have a complete set of documents for verification. This includes a copy of Form I-129 and all supporting documentation submitted initially to USCIS. It is essential to have these on hand as they may be required to address any inquiries related to your eligibility. Additionally, when seeking admission, it is necessary to be prepared to cover any relevant inspection fees. If deemed eligible by a CBP officer, you will be granted admission as a TN nonimmigrant.

What is the TN Visa Application Process Like for Mexican Citizens?

Mexican citizens who wish to enter the United States as a TN nonimmigrant must obtain a TN visa. To apply for a TN visa, you can visit a consulate in Mexico or a U.S. embassy. If you have any inquiries about this process, it is advisable to consult with a TN Visa Lawyer NYC.
Once your TN visa application is approved, you can apply for admission at CBP-designated ports of entry in the United States or at a designated pre-flight or pre-clearance inspection station. If deemed eligible by a CBP officer, you will be granted admission as a TN nonimmigrant.

How can our TN Visa Attorney can help you?

Given the complexities of the petition procedure, it is in your best interests to seek the advice of a qualified TN Visa Attorney NYC practice like the Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC. Our professionals can foresee potential problems in your visa application and provide appropriate advice at the right moment. Moreover, Our TN Visa Attorney NYC is easy to approach and can help you through the complex visa application process. You can Also Find latest Immigration Update About the TN Visa.

At the Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC, Our TN Visa Attorney is dedicated to bringing together a wide range of legal experience to help clients address their challenges. The firm’s legal capabilities enable us to focus on clients’ needs, using our extensive knowledge and expertise to solve their legal concerns efficiently and creatively. To reach out to our immigration lawyers at the Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC, email us at prashanthi@reddyesq.com or call us at 212-354-1010.

TN VISA – FAQ ( FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS )

The primary eligibility criterion for somebody to qualify for a TN visa is to be a Canadian or Mexican professional. The person should have a pre-arranged job offer from an employer. The profession is a consideration that should be part of the NAFTA professional category as the US, Canada, and Mexico are part of the NAFTA agreement. Another eligibility guideline is the person should have the appropriate educational qualification to qualify for the job on offer.

A TN visa holder can stay for one year after the visa is first issued. Every year, one can get an extension because the person maintains their residency in a foreign country and does not intend to stay in the US permanently.

Unlike H1B and most other work visas, getting a TN visa doesn’t require any formal sponsorship from the US employer. There is no requirement for Labour certification from the Department of Labour. As per US-Mexico-Canada Agreement ( USMCA ), the US employer doesn’t need to complete the process of recruitment to hire a TN visa professional. The visa applicant can apply for admission to the US port of entry, US consulate or Embassy. 

Getting a TN visa is inexpensive; one has to pay $56, out of which $50 is filling, and $6 is for the I-94 fee, which one can at the port or border of entry to the US.

Yes, a TN visa holder can apply for a green card. The process takes around 29 – 30 months, but one must maintain their work permit even if the TN has expired before green card issuance

If your TN visa application is complex or if you want extra assurance throughout the process, it can be advantageous to seek the assistance of an immigration lawyer. These professionals are experienced in handling TN forms, supporting documents, and interviews. Unsure if hiring an immigration lawyer is right for you? Boundless has created a comprehensive guide outlining when it is ideal to enlist the services of an attorney for your visa process.

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