The TN Visa
The TN nonimmigrant classification permits qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in business activities at a professional level. Among the types of professionals who are eligible to seek admission as accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.
Qualifications
To qualify for a TN visa, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- You are a citizen of Canada or Mexico,
- Your profession qualifies under the regulations,
- The position in the United States requires a NAFTA professional,
- You have a prearranged full-time or part-time job with a U.S. employer,
- You have the qualifications to practice in the profession in question
How to Apply for an TN Visa
If you meet the requirements for an TN visa, here are the steps you need to complete for approval:
For Canadians:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship,
- Letter from your prospective employer detailing items such as the professional capacity in which you will work in the United States, the purpose of your employment, your length of stay, and your educational qualifications, and
- Credentials evaluation and fees.
Canadians seeking a visa my inquire at the time they seek admission in the United States and do not require pre-qualification.
For Mexicans:
- Proof of Mexican citizenship,
- Letter from your prospective employer detailing items such as the professional capacity in which you will work in the United States, the purpose of your employment, your length of stay, and your educational qualifications, and
- Credentials evaluation and fees.
Mexicans seeking a visa would need to apply at the U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico prior to admission to the United States.
Additional Information
A TN visa comes with certain benefits, including:
- You can work legally in the United States,
- You can freely travel in the United States,
- Your immediate family (spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 years of age) can also qualify for an TN visa. While in the United States, your children can go to school and your spouse can apply for an EAD, employment authorization document, giving them permission to work legally in the United States.