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TN visa for Canadians and Mexicans

Canadian citizens do not need visas to enter the US as tourists or business visitors.

NAFTA

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA], Canadians and Mexicans may enter the US to do certain kinds of work without getting work visas. No fee or application is needed for Canadians. Mexicans must obtain an entry document before arriving in the US. Both nationalities must show written proof that they are coming to do this type of work:

1. research and design for a company in Canada or Mexico;
2. growth, manufacture and production;
3. purchasing for a company in Canada or Mexico;
4. conducting commercial transactions for a company in Canada/Mexico;
5. market research for a company in Canada/Mexico;
6. attending trade fairs;
7. after-sales service of machinery;

TN STATUS

This is an alternative to the H-1B visa for certain Canadian and Mexican professionals. A bachelor's degree or license is required from a college or university. Sometimes, additional requirements are needed to qualify. TN status is not available for the self-employed, except for Management Consultants, who may be independent contractors with their own consulting business in Canada. Whenever a license is required, either a federal Canadian or Mexican, or a US license from any province or state, is sufficient.

Some of the professions eligible for TN status are listed here:
Accountant, actuary, architect, economist, engineer, forester, graphic designer, hotel manager, industrial designer, interior designer, land surveyor, landscape architect, lawyer, librarian, management consultant, mathematician, medical professionals (including clinical lab technologist, dentist, dietitian, medical lab technologist, medical technologist, nutritionist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, physician, physio/physical therapist, psychologist, recreational therapist, registered nurse); research assistant (college and university only); scientists (agronomist, agriculturist, animal breeder, animal scientist, apiculturist, astronomer, biochemist, biologist, chemist, dairy scientist, entomologist, epidemiologist, geneticist, geochemist, geologist, geophysicist, horticulturist, meteorologist, pharmacologist, physicist, plant breeder, poultry scientist, soil scientist, zoologist); social worker, teacher (college, university or seminary only); systems analyst, technical publications writer, urban planner, veterinarian, vocational counselor.

Canadians

There is no quota on the number of TN's for Canadians. The application will be adjudicated at the US port of entry upon presentation of the appropriate evidence. TN status is granted in one year increments and can be extended indefinitely.

Mexicans

There is an annual limit of 5,500 TN visas for Mexicans. A Mexican national wanting TN status must file an I-129 petition with CIS. Once the petition is approved, a TN visa can be obtained from the US consulate. It is valid for one year and can be extended indefinitely in one year increments.

©2008 Jane Orgel. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.