Columbus TN Visa Attorneys

What is a TN Visa?

The TN visa is a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was created to form economic relationships between the United States and its neighbors, Canada and Mexico. The TN is a nonimmigrant visa category available to qualified citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the U.S. as professionals. Initial period of stay is up to a maximum of 3 years. Extensions of stay may be filed in the U.S. on Form I-129, or made abroad at Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) or a U.S. Consulate, depending on whether you are a Mexican or Canadian citizen. Your spouse and children may obtain a TD visa to come with you.

The following criteria are required to qualify for the TN visa:

• You must be a Canadian or Mexican citizen;
• You profession must be covered by NAFTA;
• The job position must require your profession;
• You must have arrangements to work for a US employer; and
• You must be qualified to practice your profession.

If you have questions about the TN visa and would like to consult with an experienced attorney, do not wait to contact The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates. Our Columbus TN visa lawyers have over 50 years of combined legal experience in a wide variety of complex employment visas and other immigration law matters.

Call (888) 915-5057 today for a consultation and analysis of your immigration needs.

Professions Covered by NAFTA

To qualify for a TN visa, you must have a job offer from an employer that is located in the U.S. You may not be self-employed, but you may be an independent contractor for the employer. Your employer should provide you with a letter that you can use as evidence in support of your TN visa petition. The letter should include a description of the firm, the position, and job requirements including work experience, licensing, and education.

To be granted a TN visa, your profession must also be one of the professions covered by NAFTA appendix 1603.D.1, which are as follows:

• General Professions: Accountant, Architect, Computer Systems Analyst, Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster, Economist, Engineer, Forester, Graphic Designer, Hotel Manager, Industrial Designer, Interior Designer, Land Surveyor, Landscape Architect, Lawyer, Librarian, Management Consultant, Mathematician, Range Manager/Range Conservationalist, Research Assistant, Scientific Technician/Technologist, Social Worker, Sylviculturist, Technical Publications Writer, Urban Planner, Vocational Counselor.
• Medical Professions: Dentist, Dietitian, Medical Laboratory Technologist/Medical Technologist, Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist, Pharmacist, Physician, Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist, Psychologist, Recreational Therapist, Registered Nurse, Veterinarian.
• Scientist Professions: Agriculturist, Animal Breeder, Animal Scientist, Apiculturist, Astronomer, Biochemist, Biologist, Chemist, Dairy Scientist, Entomologist, Epidemiologist, Geneticist, Geologist, Geochemist, Geophysicist, Horticulturist, Meteorologist, Pharmacologist, Physicist, Plant Breeder, Poultry Scientist, Soil Scientist, Zoologist.
• Teacher Professions: College, Seminary, University.

Most of the NAFTA professions require at least a bachelor’s degree. For those professions that require a degree, work experience in lieu of degree is generally not accepted. Three-year Canadian bachelor degrees are acceptable.

TN Visa Procedure for Canadian Citizens

Generally, Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa. If you are a citizen of Canada, you do not need to apply for the TN visa at the U.S. Consulate. You may make your application at a designated U.S. port of entry to a CPB officer. You should present documentation including proof of Canadian citizenship, a letter from your prospective employer, and an evaluation of your credentials.

In the alternative to making your application at the border, your employer may file an I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker on your behalf with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, you may apply for admission by presenting the CBP officer your proof of Canadian citizenship and your I-129 approval notice.

Learn more about TN visa procedure for Canadians