Visa Requirements

TN Visa Requirements and Application | 2018 Checklist

The TN visa application can be a quick way to obtain your work permit and begin to make a living in the U.S, Canada, and Mexico. This application is a requirement in North American Countries. It is part of the Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) so it only works for citizens of the three countries. You may also only submit your application for a job offer within these countries and your employer must do business in the three countries. The TN visa application does not have to be difficult if you are committed to following the instructions.

Before we proceed, it would be important to clarify on the basics such as what is TN visa? It is US visa application designed for the North American countries. This means only Canadians and Mexicans are allowed to participate. This pact between the three nations gives Canadian and Mexican professionals to live and work in the United States. Before arrival, they must apply and get jobs within the United States. These jobs should be legitimate and traceable. The employers must be American and conducting business within the U.S. The pact helps to import professionals into the U.S. and boost business and other industries. Only professionals are allowed. This means only skilled labor is imported via the TN visa. To obtain one, simply follow the rules and regulations set. 

TN Visa Categories Available Today

There are two types of TN visa categories:

  1. the TN-1 is for Canadian professionals; 
  2. the TN-2 is meant for Mexican professionals. 

These categories have slight variations to their limitations and benefits. However, the key thing to note is that the TN-2 requires a TN visa stamp from a U.S consulate before entry. Canadian professionals can apply for the visa stamp directly at the border. The Mexican professionals will not be filing petitions with the USCIS before seeking their visa at a consulate. The Canada visa application has lesser limitations compared to the Mexican application. Here are the TN visa requirements

TN-1

  1. The applicant must prove that a person is a Canadian Citizen. 
  2. The application must show the intent to engage in work as an approved professional. Moreover, there must be a job offer for employment.
  3. The applicant must carry the necessary testimonials to prove they are a professional in the approved profession they are applying. The minimal academic qualification is a Bachelor’s degree or higher. This is a requirement for all approved professions on the list. Some professions require licensing hence the individual must possess it upon entry.
  4. The applicant must intend to live within the U.S for a temporary period. A pending immigration petition disqualifies the candidate.
  5. It is important to note that Canadians do not need a visa to enter the U.S. The TN visa is more of requesting for TN Status. It can be done at border points and is not much of a big deal as long as you have the requirements. This is not one of those interrogative interviews for visa application like when trying entry into China, North Korea, or Russia. 

TN-2

TN Visa Requirements and Application | 2018 Checklist

For both TN-1 and TN-2, spouses and unmarried children of the applicants may accompany the TN Visa holder.

The Necessities

Preparing for an application requires you to make the necessary arrangement. This means to study the requirements before presenting yourself to the immigration officer. You do not want to be kept at the airport or border point with an officer demanding more documents from you that you do not have. Preparation is key. It is important to have all the documents necessary so you will not be begging them to break the law. The main things are:

  1. Proof of citizenship;
  2. Your TN Visa Application Letter (or Employer Letter);
  3. Proof you meet the requirements for the NAFTA Occupation you are applying under; 
  4. Filing fee

These are some of the TN visa expert tips for you to consider before embarking on your journey into the U.S for your dream job. Some of the little-known facts include not having to drive all the way back to the border to renew the TN status. For example, Canadians working in California do not have to drive all the way back to their Canadian border. Instead, they can obtain help at the Tijuana border crossing (now the San Ysidro crossing) for renewal. The TN visa support letter is the most important document you need