Immigration Services / TN for Canadian and Mexican Professionals

TN Visa for Canadian and Mexican Professionals Under NAFTA

The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) makes temporary employment in the U.S. easier for certain Canadian and Mexican workers. NAFTA created a new classification, “TN,” for eligible Canadian and Mexican professional workers and also affected terms of admission for Canadians admitted to the U.S. under other nonimmigrant classifications.

TN employment must be in a profession listed in Appendix 1603.0.1 to NAFTA and the TN employee must possess the credentials required. There is no annual limit on TN-1 admissions from Canada or Mexico.

Dependents
Dependents (spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age) of TN professionals are entitled to TD status with the same restrictions as the principal. Dependents may be students in the U.S., but may not be employed under the TD status.

TN Canadian or Mexican Citizen under NAFTA
The TN classification applies to a Canadian or Mexican citizen seeking admission as a professional temporarily under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Petition Document Requirements
For a Canadian citizen:

This classification does not require a petition for employment if the alien is a Canadian citizen and is outside of the U.S. Canadian citizens need not obtain TN-1 consular visas, and may apply directly at Class A U.S. ports of entry. They must provide:

1. A statement from the employer with a full description of the nature of the duties the beneficiary will be performing, the anticipated length of stay, and the arrangements for pay or reward; 
2. Evidence that the beneficiary meets the education and/or alternative credentials for the activity; 
3. Evidence that all licensure requirements, where applicable to the activity, have been satisfied;
4. Evidence of Canadian citizenship.
   
5. For a Mexican citizen:
   This classification does not require a petition for employment if the alien is a Mexican citizen and is outside the U.S. However, Mexican citizens are still required to obtain TN visas at the U.S. consulate abroad. They must provide:
6. A statement from the employer with a a full description of the nature of the duties the beneficiary will be performing, the anticipated length of stay, and the arrangements for pay or reward; 
7. Evidence that the beneficiary meets the education and/or alternative credentials for the activity;
8. Evidence that all licensure requirements, where applicable to the activity, have been satisfied;

Evidence of Mexican citizenship;