How long can a TN visa holder stay in the US?
How long can you stay in the U.S. on a TN Visa? The maximum period a TN visa can be granted for is 3 years. On paper, TN visas can be extended in three-year increments indefinitely as long as the holder satisfies all the requirements. The reality of extending the TN visa is unfortunately not that simple.
How many times can you renew a TN visa?
There is no limitation on the number of times a participant can renew. The TN visa holder’s spouse and/or children under the age of 21 may be eligible for TD nonimmigrant status. This status allows dependents to enter the U.S. with the TN visa holder and be granted the same period of stay.
How can I extend my TN visa?
If you want to extend the period that your TN visa is valid, your employer can file a Form I-129 extension petition with USCIS. If your job continues to satisfy the TN requirements, your stay will be extended. There are specific time periods and processing times that apply to extension petitions.
What are the different types of TN visas?
There are two types of TN visa based on nationality: There are certain requirements to be eligible to get a TN visa. The requirements are general, educational and work experience, and there are specific requirements for health care workers. The general requirements for people to qualify for the TN visa are:
How long is a TN visa good for?
three yearsEntering on TN authorization allows qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to stay and work in the United States, as long as their U.S. job offer falls under a list of NAFTA professions. TN status is valid for up to three years, and is indefinitely renewable.
Can TN visa be renewed indefinitely?
TN status has a maximum period of validity of three years. It may be renewed indefinitely, but it must be done every three years. If an alien wishes to stay beyond the time indicated on their I-94 card, they must seek an extension of stay.
Is TN visa permanent?
TN Visa period of stay Extensions are awarded indefinitely so it's a simple matter of remembering to file the necessary extension documents every three years. That being said, TN visa holders must still demonstrate their intention to return to their home country even though they can continually renew their TN status.
Can I go from TN visa to green card?
Can TN Visa Holders in the U.S. Transition to a Green Card? One of the most common questions that TN visa workers have is whether they can move from such a visa to a green card or not. The answer for that is: yes, you can most certainly do so.
Is TN visa better than H1B?
Differences Between TN Visa and H1B Visa H1B visas are much more difficult to obtain but allow for dual intent, while TN visas do not. Also, eligibility for a TN visa is restricted to a list of approved occupations, whereas the H1B only requires that the occupation involves Bachelor degree-level skills or knowledge.
Can TN visa be converted to H1B?
TN visa holders can transfer to a new job location within the U.S. since the TN visa is not location specific. H1B visa holders, on the other hand, need their employers to first file an amended I-129 before effecting their transfer to a new job location.
Can I buy a house on TN visa?
TN Visa Mortgage TN visa holders are allowed to buy a house in the U.S. No prohibition exist in U.S immigration laws preventing this. Similarly, TN visa holders can get mortgage loans to buy their house in the U.S, as long as they meet the qualification criteria and provide the necessary documents set out below.
Can I switch jobs on TN visa?
Can I change employers with a TN? Yes, but your new employer must get the TN approved by the USCIS before you begin your employment.
Can my wife work if I have a TN visa?
Simply put, via the TD visa, as a spouse or child of a TN visa holder, you can apply to work and live in the U.S. under this visa status.
Can I marry a US citizen on a TN visa?
The good news is that as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you can usually switch from a TN visa to a marriage green card. Your marriage green card will let you live and work permanently in the United States, and will give you a pathway to becoming a U.S. citizen.
Is TN visa hard to get?
When compared to the process of obtaining other work visas, such as an H-1B Visa or an L-1 Visa, it is rather easy to get a TN Visa. In fact, in many cases you can obtain a TN Visa the same day at a qualifying port of entry.
How long does it take to get green card after TN visa?
Overall, the TN visa to green card process can take between six months and a year, sometimes more. Much of it depends on how busy your service center and/or U.S. consulate is. Unfortunately, there is no way to expedite this process.
How many times can I renew my TN visa?
A: The TN visa can be renewed without limit. You can renew your TN status up to six (6) months before it expires and as often as every year. The TN visa has a validity of up to three (3) years and is renewable for an unlimited amount of times, but the approval of the renewals is not guaranteed.
Can I work with an expired TN visa?
Unless an extension application has been filed, a TN visa worker may not continue to work or remain in the U.S. after his/her period of TN authorized stay has expired. A TN visa worker's period of authorized stay is indicated either on an I-94 record or passport admission stamp.
How long can you be unemployed on TN visa?
The grace period lasts for either 60 days from the TN visa worker's last day of employment, or up until the expiration date of the individual's I-94 record, whichever comes first. Remaining in the U.S. after one's grace period ends is a status violation that could result in removal.
What is a TN extension?
The TN visa is a powerful non-immigrant visa classification available to citizens of Canada and Mexico. With a TN visa, you can live and work in the USA for extended periods of time. The TN visa can be renewed or extended past its initial validity period of three (3) years.
Is the TN Visa valid for 1 year or 3 years?
The TN Visa is now valid for 3 years. As of Oct 2008, US Citizenship and Immigration has increased the length of time a TN applicant can stay. Remember, to request this in your TN Visa Application Letter.
More TN Visa Application Questions
Does my offer letter need an original signature for my TN Visa application?
How long can you stay in the U.S. on a TN Visa?
How long can Canadians stay in the U.S.? The maximum period a TN visa can be granted is 3 years. On paper, TN visas can be extended in three-year increments indefinitely as long as the holder satisfies all the requirements. The reality of extending the TN visa is unfortunately not that simple. There are many factors that can influence the time you can stay in the U.S. on a TN visa.
What is a TN visa?
NAFTA stands for North American Free Trade Agreement. NAFTA created special trade and economic relationships between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The TN visa allows Canadian and Mexican citizens, as NAFTA professionals, to work in prearranged business activities in the U.S. for U.S. or foreign employers.
How to apply for a TN visa in Mexico?
There are various steps and the order of the steps and how they are to be completed will vary at the different embassies or consulates. 1. Complete the Online Visa Application Form. This is a Form DS-160 and can be completed online.
What to do if your TN visa is approved?
If your application is approved, you will have to take part in an immigration interview to move forward with your TN visa application. Check out this list of interview questions for the TN visa if you want to brush up on the best answers ahead of your interview.
How long does it take to get an extension for a TN visa?
There are specific time periods and processing times that apply to extension petitions. Your employer cannot file an extension petition before 6 months till the end of your current TN visa. Processing times for this extension can take anything from 2 to 7 months, but fortunately, USCIS has a premium processing service available at an additional cost. Processing time on this premium service is 15 calendar days.
What to know when applying for TN?
An important factor to keep in mind for both Canadians and Mexicans is that when you apply for TN status, you need to make sure you establish “non-immigrant intent”. This will show immigration officials a clear intention that you are not planning to stay in the U.S. on a permanent basis and that you intend to return to your home country.
How long is a passport valid for?
Your passport, which is valid for travel to the U.S. for 6 months beyond your planned period of stay. Some countries are exempted from this 6-month requirement.
How long is the TN visa good for?
The TN visa can now be obtained for a maximum period of 3 years upon each application. Sometimes this period of time is limited to less than 3 years if it is clear from the application that the applicant’s services are needed for less time.
How far in advance of my start date can I apply for a TN visa?
It is very important for you to be aware of the protocol of the particular ports you’re considering. If you are applying by mailing an application to the Vermont Service Center, you can apply up to 6 months in advance of the start-date.
How do I apply for a TN?
You can apply for a TN at a port-of-entry, such as a land border, pre-flight clearance, or at an airport in the United States after arriving from an international flight. On October 1, 2012, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) began accepting TN visa applications on behalf of Canadians situated outside of the United States by mail at the Vermont Service Center (VSC). Applying through the VSC requires an additional fee and is more time consuming than applying at a port-of-entry, but it does offer applicants and United States employers some benefits and added flexibility
What are the filing fees for a Canadian NAFTA TN Visa?
If you elect to file your application by mail and wish to expedite the process via premium processing, the additional filing fee for this service is $1,225.
What are the legal fees for TN Visa representation?
Give us a call and we will be happy to discuss our affordable fee structure with you. Rest easy, that Lightman Law Firm prides itself in offering the highest level of service at an affordable FLAT rate. You will never experience any pressure or obligation to work with us.
Is there a quota or lottery for the TN visa like there is for the H-1b visa?
No, the great thing about the TN visa is that there is no quota or lottery like there is for the H-1B visa.
What is the maximum period of time that I can be in the United States in the TN status?
However, in practice we have seen that certain ports of entry and the Vermont Service Center tend to apply more scrutiny when you have been in the United States in the TN status for 6+ years .
What is TN visa?
The TN Visa was created by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in order to facilitate temporary employment in the United States for approved Canadian and Mexican citizens. The purpose was to strengthen business and trade relations between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How to renew TN visa?
The process of renewing or extending your TN status can be carried out by filing Form I-129H1 along with proof of the TN status holder’s education/citizenship and a letter addressing the need for the extension. At the point in which the job or TN status officially expires, individuals are required to leave the country. Unlike the H-1B grace period, TN visas do not have this leeway period.
How long does it take to get an I-129H1?
Generally, you can expect it to take about six months to process your I-129H1.
How many professions qualify for a TN visa?
Here is a list of the 60 professions that qualify you for a TN visa:
Can a spouse work in the US with a TD visa?
The TN visa holder’s spouse and/or children under the age of 21 may be eligible for TD nonimmigrant status. This status allows dependents to enter the U.S. with the TN visa holder and be granted the same period of stay. There are some restrictions to the TD nonimmigrant status for dependents. Spouses and children are not permitted to work while in the United States, but they are permitted to study.
How long is a TN visa valid?
After you get the TN visa, it is first valid for 3 years Afterwards, there is a possibility to extend it for an additional 3 years indefinitely. This means, that as long as you are employed in the U.S and can prove ties to your home country in either Canada or Mexico, you are allowed to remain in the U.S on a TN visa.
What is TN Visa?
The TN Visa is a U.S non-immigrant visa, so those who get it have to return to their home countries upon its expiration. It allows only citizens of Canada and Mexico, not permanent residents to work in the U.S if they find a job beforehand. The agreement specifies the types of TN visa jobs and occupations that visa holders are allowed to engage in. There are around 63 occupations for which Canadians and Mexicans qualify to work on. These include lawyers, scientists, engineers, teachers, etc. To check whether you qualify in any of the professions, visit the NAFTA website.
What are the requirements for a TN visa?
The general requirements for people to qualify for the TN visa are: Applicants must be citizens of Canada or Mexico. Their occupation must be on the NAFTA list. They must have a full time or part time job offer from an employer in the U.S.
How many types of TN visas are there?
There are two types of TN visa based on nationality:
Is there a cap on TN visa?
And third, there are no caps to the TN visa. Whereas the H-1B visa has a cap of 65,000 people who are allowed to go to the U.S with that visa, the TN visa does not have a limit. This means that any citizen of Canada or Mexico who fulfills the requirements can get the TN visa.
Is a TN visa the same as an H-1B visa?
The TN Visa USA is quite similar to the H-1B visa; however, there are a few differences. First, the TN does not require employers to have a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor. This means that there are no specific conditions on the work environment or requirements for a prevailing wage which the U.S sets. This is up to the agreement of the employer and employee.
How often can you renew your TN?
TN status has a maximum period of validity of three years. It may be renewed indefinitely, but it must be done every three years.
How long does it take to get an adjustment of status?
While other types of status holders (such as H-1, L-1 or O-1) may apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS) as soon as they wish once entering the country, those of TN status have at least a 30 to 60 day waiting period upon entering the United States before they may apply for AOS.
Is a TN visa a dual visa?
A TN visa is not a dual intent visa, meaning that applying for permanent resident status can cause issues when traveling outside of the United States or seeking an extension of your TN visa. A pending application for permanent residence can be the basis of an initial denial of TN status.
Can a TD visa be used for a spouse?
The TD visa does allow for a TN visa holder’s spouse and/or children accompany them to the United States for as long as their authorized status holds out. However, unless specifically authorized, TN dependents on TD visas are not allowed to legally work in the United States.
