Business Specialty Visa Plan NAFTA Professionals TN visa
In 1994, the United States signed a trilateral agreement with its neighbors with whom it shares a border, Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The North American Free Trade Agreement, simplified as NAFTA, led to the creation of the Trade NAFTA or TN visa, a special nonimmigrant visa that speeds up work authorization for a citizen of Canada or a national of Mexico
NAFTA Professionals TN visa
In 1994, the United States signed a trilateral agreement with its neighbors with whom it shares a border, Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The North American Free Trade Agreement, simplified as NAFTA, led to the creation of the Trade NAFTA or TN visa, a special nonimmigrant visa that speeds up work authorization for a citizen of Canada or a national of Mexico. NAFTA simplifies processes for entry and employment in the US for people from certain qualifying professions from Canada and Mexico.
Some examples of such professions are accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists and teachers.
How many TN visas are available each year?
According to the US government figures, in 2019, 21,193 TN visas were issued. In 2020, when restrictions were in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, only 13,771 were issued. In general, the approval rate for TN visa applications has remained steadily above 90%.
Who is eligible for a TN visa?
To be eligible for TN status, you must be a citizen of Canada or a national of Mexico. An approved Canadian applicant would receive a TN-1 visa; an approved Mexican applicant would receive a TN-2 visa. In addition —
- You must be employed in a qualifying profession that is on the NAFTA list;
- The job you will do in the US must require such a NAFTA professional;
- You must already have prearranged employment, either full-time or part-time, with an employer.
- You should be able to show proof of having the qualifications, education, experience and other specific requirements of the qualifying profession.
The spouse and children under 21 of a person who qualifies for a TN visa may also apply to join the TN visa holder. They would be issued a TD visa if approved.
How long can you stay in the US on a TN visa?
A TN visa allows you to stay for a maximum of three years in the US. However, you can apply for three-year extensions an indefinite number of times.
How do you apply for a TN visa?
The application process for Canadians is different from the one for Mexicans. An eligible Canadian does not need a TN visa to enter the US but can apply for TN status at the border crossing checkpoint from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
TN visa process for Canadians
A Canadian citizen in a TN-visa-eligible profession does not require a TN visa to work in the United States as a NAFTA professional. They can apply for TN nonimmigrant status at one of 14 US ports of entry (PoE) designated for optimized processing of TN status requests. In the US, they are —
- Detroit (2 PoEs), Michigan
- Sweetwater, Montana
- Alexandria, New York
- Champlain, New York
- Peace Bridge, New York
- Lewiston Bridge, New York
- Rainbow Bridge, New York
- Highgate Springs, Vermont
- Derby Line, Vermont
- Blaine Peace Arch, Washington
Four international airports in Canada have also been designated as PoEs, namely —
- Calgary International Airport
- Lester B Pearson International Airport
- Trudeau International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
An exception is a Canadian living in a third country with a non-Canadian spouse and children and who plans to enter the US as a NAFTA professional with his family. He would need to apply for a TN visa first at a local US Embassy or Consulate. Only then would his family members be eligible to apply for derivative TD nonimmigrant visas to join them in the US.
TN visa process for Mexicans
The steps below apply primarily to Mexicans wishing to enter the US as NAFTA professionals and seek TN status. The number of steps in applying for a TN visa is relatively straightforward.
- Check your professional eligibility. This US government-approved website lists all the qualifying professions for a TN visa. Make sure yours is on this list before you proceed to step 2.
- Find a job in the US: Having a confirmed job in the US in a qualifying profession, as well as a letter from a US employer confirming this, are essential steps. Do not go to step 3 until you have successfully achieved step 2.
- Complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Form DS-160, which you can complete online, is also known as the Nonimmigrant Visa Application. To do this efficiently and successfully, keep the following at hand before going online —
- Your passport, with at least six months validity.
- A visa photograph (to upload). The photo should conform to US Immigration photo specifications.
- Travel itinerary.
- Dates of every international trip you have made in your last five years, including to the US.
- Information on your current and previous education and work history.
More information about filling out the DS-160 form is available online. Remember to print out the DS-160 application confirmation page with the barcode after completing the form. You will need it at the interview.
- Pay the visa application fee: This is $160 for the DS-160 application for an E visa and can be paid online. Print out a receipt confirming your payment. You will need it at the visa interview later.
- Find your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. You can find the address online or by checking the global list of US Embassies and Consulates. Make a note of the address. You will need it in step 7.
- Collect the documents you will need at the interview. These must include the following, though the interviewing officer may request additional documents at their discretion —
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for travel to the US and at least six months beyond your proposed period of stay there. Each individual traveling, include family members listed in your passport, must submit a separate application.
- Form DS-160 confirmation page.
- Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
- This is only in case you were unsuccessful in uploading your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. In this case, carry a photo with you, making sure it meets the photo requirements. A photo is not required if you are applying in Mexico.
- A contract or letter of employment in the US. You will be asked to show that you have a job offer in the US. Sufficient evidence of this would be a contract or employment letter from your US employer confirming your upcoming employment in one of the qualified professional occupations listed in Appendix 1603.d.1 of NAFTA Chapter 16. The letter should also include:
- Your purpose of entry;
- A detailed description of your responsibilities and anticipated business activities;
- Your proposed length of stay in the US;
- Your educational qualifications or other credentials that help establish your professional status;
- Arrangements for your pay.
- Documentation proving that you meet the minimum education and work experience requirements outlined in Appendix 1603.d.1 of NAFTA chapter 16. Carry evidence of education would include degrees, diplomas, certificates, professional licenses, and membership in professional organizations. Letters from former employers can help establish your experience. If you had been self-employed, carry your business records.
- Schedule your visa interview. Contact the US Embassy or Consulate nearest to you, preferably the one you named on the DS-160 form, and schedule your interview. Generally, only applicants between 14 and 79 are required to go for a visa. However, this is entirely discretionary and depends on the visa officer’s assessment.
Waiting times for interview appointments tend to vary by country, time of year and visa category, so seek an interview as soon as you can and expect to wait as long as six months or more to get a date. Check the US Embassy or Consulate website for the interview waiting time in your country.
8. Go for the visa interview. The visa officer may request additional documents at their discretion, and these requirements may vary from country to country.
How much does a TN visa cost?
$160 The only cost related to the TN visa is filing Form DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa application.
Need more help?
You may feel that you would like to have professional help in making your application or would perhaps like to consult a specialized immigration lawyer who specializes in immigration and visa matters. In this case, you can explore some of your options, including how to access our exclusive list of professional immigration lawyers.
If you have questions or would like clarifications, please send us an email. We’ll do our best to get back to you within 24 hours with an answer.