What is a TN visa?

Are you from Mexico or Canada and have received a job offer to work in the United States? If yes, then a TN visa is exactly for you.

A TN visa, which is also referred to as Trade North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is fundamentally a non-immigrant employment visa. It is for the North Americans, particularly the Mexicans and Canadians, which permit them to work in the United States for a certain job. 

Now, in order to qualify for the TN visa, a Mexican or Canadian citizen must have a job in the United States which falls under the category of NAFTA professions. There is a huge list of these professions. Following are a few of these: 

• Accountant
• Engineer
• Social Worker
• Dentist
• Lawyer
• Economist

As far as the validity of this visa is concerned, it is valid for upto three years. Having said that, you can get it renewed indefinitely. 

Eligibility Criteria

Following are certain criteria that you need to meet to apply for a TN visa. 

Generally, no matter if you are a Canadian or a Mexican citizen, you will be required to fulfill the following: 

• You must be either from Mexico or Canada.
• Your profession must fall under the category of NAFTA professions.
• Must secure a job in the US which is ultimately a NAFTA profession.
• Required qualifications such as bachelor's or master's degree.

Application Process

Following are the steps that need to be taken during the application process for a TN visa: 

In order to apply for the TN visa, you must first identify which option you are eligible for, as it is relatively different for a Canadian applicants and for Mexican applicants. 

Let's first understand how you, as a Canadian applicant, can continue with the application process: 

• First, you will ask your employer to submit the TN application in addition to the form Form I-129 to USCIS. 
• Once the application has been approved, you can then enter the United States. 

It is important to note that if you apply through this method, you will be required to show the documents of employment. In addition, you will also be needed to show evidence of your Canadian citizenship. 

Following is another method to apply as a Canadian applicant: 

• When you are entering the United States, you can apply directly at the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) port of entry. 

Following is the application process if you are a Mexican applicant:

• First, you will be required to apply for the TN visa at the nearest US embassy or consulate. You need to fill the Form DS-160 and send all the required documents to the consulate or embassy. 
• Next, if your application gets approved, you will be called for an interview. It is important to take all of the documents to the interview in order to show the proof to the concerned authorities. 
• After the interview, you will receive a visa number, and then you will be able to enter the United States. 

It is vital to remember here is that no matter if you from Mexico or Canada, you will be required to have the following during the application process: 

• Proof of your qualifications.
• TN support letter from your US employer
• The fee of the application

How Can RB Law Help You? 

Undoubtedly, when you are applying for a TN visa, you need to be extremely careful and accurate. One mistake can ruin your entire application. Want to avoid that mishap? Well, contact RB Law today and allow us to help you throughout your application process. We are here to make things easier for you.