TN Visas for NAFTA Professionals

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Canadian and Mexican Professionals

TN Temporary Business visas allows for temporary employment of Mexican and Canadian professionals. Visa applicants must possess a Mexican licenciatura degree or a Canadian bachelor's degree.

For Canadian applicants, there is no prevailing wage requirement nor is there a salary cap. However, work activity must be of a profession that is designated in Schedule 2 of NAFTA. Additionally, the applicant must provide a packet containing supporting documentation to the NAFTA Officer at the port of entry. Supporting documentation includes:

• Job Title;
• Description of the professional level activities to be performed in the US;
• Brief summary of the applicant's proposed daily work activities;
• Salary or hourly wage being paid; and,
• Employer's offer letter.

The visa applicant also must provide:

• Proof of degree, certificate diploma or authorized alternate qualification;
• A $50.00 filing fee;
• Proof of Canadian citizenship; and,
• Proof of intent to return to Canada.

Upon approval of the application, the NAFTA officer needs to provide the following:

• Receipt of filing form G-211, G-711 or I-797; and
• Form I-94, indicating applicant is approved for TN visa status for one year (Note - a change in employer requires visa holder to apply for a new TN visa).

Mexican applicants follow a procedure similar to the H-1B visa process.

NAFTA TN Temporary Business visas are typically granted for one year and may be renewed from within the US each year.

Foreign nationals who have been granted lawful permanent resident (LPR or "green card") status through either family-based immigration or employment-based immigration are granted LPR status. LPR's have unrestricted employment authorization in the U.S.