TN – Treaty National NAFTA for Canadians

Are you a Canadian citizen interested in a job in the U.S.? Alcorn Immigration Law can help.

Canadian professionals, such as such as accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers, may come to the U.S. to work temporarily with a TN visa.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created special economic and trade relationships between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. The TN (Treaty National) visa was born out of NAFTA.

The spouse and children of TN visa holders may be eligible for a TD (Treaty Dependent) visa for the duration of the TN visa holder’s stay. See TD – Treaty Dependent NAFTA for Canadians for more information on the application and extension process.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a TN visa, an individual must:

Be a citizen of Canada.
Have a qualified profession.
Show the position in the U.S. requires a NAFTA professional.
Have a full-time or part-time job with a U.S.-based employer.
Possess at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, appropriate credentials or qualifications to practice the profession.

Application Process

Canadians are eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa. For a TN visa issued at the border, a Canadian must pay any applicable fees at one of 14 points of entry for a TN visa and show:

Proof of Canadian citizenship.
A letter from her/his prospective employer stating the job’s duties, and responsibilities, the purpose of employment, length of stay, and the candidate’s educational qualifications.
Credentials evaluation, if applicable.

If the Canadian professional is deemed eligible by a CBP officer, the individual will be admitted into the U.S. under a TN visa.

Extension Process

An employer may extend the stay of a Canadian TN visa holder by filing for an extension on Form I-129. TN visa holders may also exit the U.S. before their TN visa expires, and then reapply using the same application process at the time of the initial application.

Each TD visa will be extended for the same period granted to the holder of the TN visa.

We Can Help

At Alcorn Immigration Law, we help individuals and their families find the best solution to legally come to the U.S., whether temporarily or permanently, to pursue their dreams. If you have any questions, contact us.

MORE INFORMATION

Fees

Form I-129 filing fee: $460

Optional Premium Processing Service of Form I-129: $2,500*

* Increased on Oct. 19, 2020

Related Forms

Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker)

Optional Form I-901 (Request for Premium Processing Service)

Steps

Employer files Form I-129 and pays the filing fee on behalf of Mexican professional or Mexican professional applies for TN at a U.S. point of entry.
Initial stay up to 3 years.
Unlimited extensions in 3-year increments.

Immigrant Intent

None. At the airport, border, or other port of entry, you will need to satisfy the U.S. government officer that you have a residence in your home country and do not intend to abandon it. You must demonstrate that you are a nonimmigrant—that your visit to the U.S. will end after a specific amount of time.