To qualify for a TN visa, the applicant must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico, must have a prearranged professional position in the United States, must be applying under a listed TN profession, and must meet the degree, license, or credential requirement for that profession. The TN category is used for temporary professional work, so the petition package should clearly match the profession, the credentials, and the offered job.
Canadian or Mexican citizen
TN classification is only available to citizens of Canada and Mexico. The filing should make citizenship clear from the start and should be organized around the correct process for a Canadian citizen or a Mexican citizen.
Listed TN profession
The offered job must fit one of the professions recognized for TN classification. A strong TN case should clearly identify the exact profession and explain why the job duties fit that category.
Degree, license, or credential requirement
Each TN profession has its own minimum requirement. Depending on the profession, the case may require a baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, post-secondary diploma, post-secondary certificate, professional license, or specific experience. The filing should match the beneficiary’s credentials to the exact TN category being requested.
Prearranged professional position
The TN visa is for a prearranged professional position with a U.S. employer or other qualifying U.S. entity. The case should clearly explain the role, the employer, the professional duties, the expected period of employment, and the TN profession being used.
TN employer letter
One of the most important parts of a TN case is the employer support letter. The letter should clearly identify the job title, the TN profession, the duties, the qualifications required for the role, the temporary nature of the position, and the period of intended employment in the United States.
Temporary professional work
TN is a temporary work category. The filing should be consistent with temporary professional employment in the United States and should avoid language that makes the position sound permanent or open-ended in the wrong way.
TN visa for Canadians
Canadian citizens often focus on whether the profession qualifies, whether the employer letter is strong enough, and whether the degree or license matches the category. The case should be organized so the profession, credentials, and job duties are easy to understand.
TN visa for Mexicans
Mexican citizens also need the profession, credentials, and job structure to fit the TN category clearly. The filing should be prepared so the profession, degree or license, and employment arrangement all line up cleanly.
Common TN professions
TN cases often involve professions such as:
- engineer
- accountant
- computer systems analyst
- management consultant
- teacher
- architect
- lawyer
- scientist
- registered nurse
- medical technologist
TD family members
The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a TN beneficiary may accompany or follow to join in TD status.
