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TN visas

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a multi-faceted treaty among Mexico, Canada and the U.S. In order to facilitate trade and address business concerns among the member nations, NAFTA provides for certain nonimmigrant benefits and carves out a "special" visa classification for professionals who are citizens of either Mexico or Canada to enter the U.S. to engage in professional employment. Generally, NAFTA provides for the entry of business people from Canada and Mexico under five temporary categories: B-1, E-1, H-1, L-1 and TN status. Although all three nations are equal members under NAFTA, the immigration benefits are slanted more positively towards Canadian nationals than toward nationals of Mexico.

Applying for TN Classification

TN nonimmigrant classification is granted in one year increments and applications are made at the airport/border, either in advance or on the day of entry. The applicant should allow at least two hours prior to a scheduled flight to complete U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing. Also, since the process may be time consuming, CBP suggests that applicants contact the CBP office in advance for any additional requirements. There are specific professions listed in the regulations which allow persons to enter the U.S. in TN status. According to Appendix 1603.D1, the following professions are included under NAFTA--the list includes minimum requirements for each occupation:

Appendix 1603.D.1 (Annotated)

Abbreviations used:

B/L Degree = Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Cert. = Certificate
P/S = Post Secondary
s/p license = state/provincial license

. Accountant ‑ B/L Degree; or C.P.A., C A., C.G.A., or C.M.A.

. Architect ‑ B/L Degree; or s/p license

. Computer Systems Analyst ‑ B/L Degree; or P/S Diploma or P/S Cert. and three years' experience.

. Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster (claims adjuster employed by an insurance company located in the territory of a Party, or an independent claims adjuster)‑B/L Degree, and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or three years of experience in claims adjustment, and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims.

. Economist ‑ B/L Degree

. Engineer ‑ B/L Degree; or s/p license

. Forester ‑ B/L Degree; or s/p license

. Graphic Designer ‑ B/L Degree; or P/S Diploma or P/S Cert., and three years experience.

. Hotel Manager ‑ B/L Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or P/S Diploma or P/S Cert. in hotel/restaurant management, and three years experience in hotel/restaurant management.

. Industrial Designer ‑ B/L Degree; or P/S Diploma or P/S Cert., and three years experience.

. Interior Designer ‑ B/L Degree or P/S Diploma or P/S Cert., and three years experience.

. Land Surveyor ‑ B/L Degree or s/p/federal license.

. Landscape Architect ‑ B/L Degree

. Lawyer (including Notary in the Province of Quebec) ‑ LL.B., J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Lic. Degree (five years); or membership in a st/pr. bar.

. Librarian ‑ M.L S. or B.L.S. (for which another B/L Degree was a prerequisite).

. Management Consultant ‑ B/L Degree; or equivalent professional experience as established by statement or professional credential, attesting to five years experience as a management consultant, or five years experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement.

. Mathematician (including Statistician and Actuary) ‑ B/L Degree

. Range Manager/Range Conservationist ‑ B/L Degree

. Research Assistant (working in a P/S educational institution) ‑ B/L Degree

. Scientific Technician / Technologist ‑ Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics; and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in any of those disciplines, or the ability to apply principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied research.

. Social Worker ‑ B/L Degree

. Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist) ‑ B/L Degree

. Technical Publications Writer ‑ B/L Degree, or P/S Diploma or P/S Cert., and three years experience.

. Urban Planner (including Geographer) ‑ B/L Degree

. Vocational Counselor ‑ B/L Degree

Medical/Allied Professionals

. Dentist ‑ D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental; or s/p license

. Dietician ‑ B/L Degree; or s/p license

. Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States) ‑ B/L Degree; or P/S Diploma or P/S Cert., and three years experience.

. Nutritionist ‑ B/L Degree

. Occupational Therapist ‑ B/L Degree; or s/p license

. Pharmacist ‑ B/L Degree; or s/p license

. Physician (teaching or research only) ‑ M.D., Doctor en Medicina; or s/p license

. Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist ‑ B/L Degree; or s/p license

. Psychologist ‑ s/p license; or Lic. Degree.

. Recreational Therapist ‑ B/L Degree

. Registered Nurse ‑ s/p license or Lic. Degree.

. Veterinarian ‑ D.V.M., D.M.V., or Doctor en Veterinaria; or s/p license

Scientist

. Agriculturist (including Agronomist) ‑ B/L Degree

. Animal Breeder ‑ B/L Degree

. Animal Scientist ‑ B/L Degree

. Apiculturist ‑ B/L Degree

. Astronomer ‑ B/L Degree

. Biochemist ‑ B/L Degree

. Biologist (including Plant Pathologist) ‑ B/L Degree

. Chemist ‑ B/L Degree

. Dairy Scientist ‑ B/L Degree

. Entomologist ‑ B/L Degree

. Epidemiologist ‑ B/L Degree

. Geneticist ‑ B/L Degree

. Geochemist ‑ B/L Degree

. Geologist ‑ B/L Degree

. Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and the United States) ‑ B/L Degree

. Horticulturist ‑ B/L Degree

. Meteorologist ‑ B/L Degree

. Pharmacologist ‑ B/L Degree

. Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada) ‑ B/L Degree

. Plant Breeder ‑ B/L Degree

. Poultry Scientist ‑ B/L Degree

. Soil Scientist ‑ B/L Degree

. Zoologist ‑ B/L Degree

Teacher

. College ‑ B/L Degree

. Seminary ‑ B/L Degree

. University ‑ B/L Degree

Once the applicant is admitted as a TN nonimmigrant, s/he will be issued an arrival-departure card (Form I-94) that will be marked "Multiple Entry" and include the classification designation TN along with a validity date (usually one year from the date issued). This card is the only evidence that the person will have to show admission as a TN and the card will be used to travel back into the U.S. after any trips abroad.

For a full list of Visas available to Foreign Nationals please click here.