How long does it take to get a TN visa extension?
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 is a TN visa and how to apply?
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.
How long can you work on a TN visa?
Although current laws and regulations stipulate that you can live and work in the U.S. for three years on a TN visa, immigration officials actually determine the period that your TN visa is valid. This will be determined when you apply and is usually based on the period that your employment in the U.S. will last.
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.
Is TN visa easy 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 far in advance can you get a TN visa?
You should apply up to 6 months in advance of your employment start date. Once you are approved for a TN Visa, you may apply for admission at certain CBP-designated US ports of entry, or at a designated pre-clearance or pre-flight inspection station.
How long does it take to get TN visa at airport?
Applying for a TN visa through the USCIS The current wait time for a TN application filed through the USCIS is approximately 2-3 months.
How much does a TN visa cost?
Entering the U.S. On a TN Visa Canadian TN applicants must pay a $50 fee when entering the U.S, or $56 if crossing the border by car.
Do you need a lawyer for TN visa?
Overview. In short, you do not need a lawyer to successfully apply for a TN status but it could help. Applicants might often choose to apply without a TN visa lawyer if their future US employer can't pay for this extra legal support or if their TN visa case is very straight forward.
How long can you stay in US with TN visa?
three-yearTN Visa period of stay Since it is a nonimmigrant visa, Canadian or Mexican citizens on TN can work and live in the U.S. for an initial three-year period, after which they must extend their status regardless of how many years they plan on staying.
How long is a TN visa interview?
TN interviews can be as little as 15 minutes or as long as 3 hours. However, most of this time is typically spent waiting for your immigration officer before the interview or waiting for a decision after your interview.
What happens if TN visa is denied?
If you have been denied a TN Visa for any reason, don't panic. Some TN Visa denials cannot be overcome, but depending on the reasons behind your denial, there may be options to make corrections, return to the port of entry with the correct documentation, reapply, and still obtain approval of your TN Visa.
Do you need an appointment for TN visa?
Any third country national (TCN) present in the United States and visitors present in Canada who wish to apply for a nonimmigrant visa at any of our border posts in Canada or Mexico must make an appointment for an interview.
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.
Is TN visa tied to employer?
TN status is employer-specific, meaning NAFTA TN visa holders can work only for the U.S. employer listed on the TN application. Working for an employer different from the one listed in the TN application is a violation of U.S. immigration laws.
Who qualifies for a TN visa?
Eligibility for NAFTA Professional (TN) Nonimmigrant Status Applicant is a citizen of Canada or Mexico; Profession is on the NAFTA list; Position in the United States requires a NAFTA professional; Applicant will work in a prearranged full-time or part-time job for an employer (see Required Documentation).
How do I switch from opt to TN visa?
Reply: Individuals working under F-1 OPT status may be able to change to TN visa status by mail using form I-129. However, one main requirement of the change of status (COS) procedure is that the individual is maintaining his/her current immigration status.
Can I leave the U.S. while on a TN visa?
Reply: There is no specific time period governing how long a TN visa worker and his/her dependents may remain outside the U.S. and then seek re-admission – provided a return is made within the validity period of the TN/TD visa status (as evidenced on the I-94).
Who Are NAFTA Professionals?
NAFTA guidelines are very different from those of nonimmigrant workers. The idea behind this trade agreement was to boost business and trade between the three countries. It makes sure that the approved people found employment and contributed to the development of the US industries.
What is a TN Visa?
After fulfilling all the NAFTA credentials, you can successfully go for a TN visa. The reason why this is extremely popular is because of the numerous advantages you will get as a professional in the USA. There is no upper limit to the number of applications that can be approved in a year.
Know the Requirements
There are different details related to the processing of a TN Visa, depending on the candidature. Apart from these, there are many legal requirements that a citizen needs to fulfil or before applying for a visa. These include the following:
TN-1 and TN-2
While TN-1 is meant for Canadian professionals, TN-2 corresponds to Mexican professionals. There are different rules in place for Canadian and American Mexican citizens that need to be followed accordingly.
What will be the Processing Time for a TN Visa?
Depending on whether you submit the application physically or send it by mail, the processing time will change accordingly. When you apply at the port, the processing time happens simultaneously, so you will only need to wait for some hours before you get the result for your application.
Cost for a TN Visa
Before you go to submit your application, you will need to consider the costs and whether you will be able to pay them. In contrast to other work visas for international citizens, something for the TN visa is comparatively less expensive.
The Takeaway
A TN Visa only concerns Canadian and Mexican citizens. It is related to these three countries and to the trade relations between them. If you want to ease your difficulty with the application process, we recommend seeking professional help.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NAFTA ( TN)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) creates special economic and trade relationships for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The TN nonimmigrant status allows professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in the U.S. Mexican professionals must obtain a TN visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy to enter the U.S.
Form I-9
When completing Section 1 of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, an employee in TN status should select “An alien authorized to work” and enter the admission number and expiration date of their status as indicated on Form I-94/Form I-94A, Arrival/Departure Record.
How long does it take to get an extension for a TN extension?
You should check into the latest USCIS processing times for I-129 extension petitions. The earliest your employer may file an extension petition for you is six months before the end of your current TN status. At the time of this article, USCIS processing times for TN extensions ranged between two and four months.
How long does a TN job last?
When U.S. immigration officials are deciding how long to admit you for as a TN worker, they are focusing on how long your TN position in the U.S. will last. A management-consulting position for a single merger between two companies, for example, will likely last only until the merger is completed. Similarly, a graphic designer position creating a single website for a client would likely not take a full three years to finish. Immigration officials will use common sense in ferreting out how long your TN position will last.
How to extend TN residency?
One way of extending your TN is through an I-129 extension petition filed by your employer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). So long as USCIS determines that your work continues to satisfy the requirements for a TN position, it will extend your stay. The same caveats noted earlier about how much time immigration officials will actually grant you still apply.
How long does it take for a USCIS extension to be processed?
USCIS has a Premium Processing service available where, for an additional fee, your extension is processed in 15 calendar days. Bear in mind, though, that USCIS may still ask for additional evidence or documents, thus delaying your case.
What happens if you leave the US and are denied your TN reapplication?
The most obvious risk is that if you leave the U.S. and are denied your TN reapplication, you could be prevented from returning to the United States.
Can I file an I-129 extension for TN?
employer? So long as your new position still satisfies the requirements for TN status this should not be a problem. Your new employer can file an I-129 TN extension for you, or you can apply as before at a U.S. port of entry.
Is TN status secure?
The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties. If you are a Mexican or Canadian citizen, TN status can be an ideal means of legally entering and working in the United States.
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 much does it cost to get a visa in Mexico?
Pay the visa application fee of $160 (for Mexican citizens only) and any other applicable fees
How many types of TN visas are there?
There are two types of TN visa based on nationality:
How many years of experience do you need to get a job?
In addition, a lot of them require at least three years of experience, which cannot be substituted with more educational degrees. To prove your work experience, you must submit letters from past employers which verify you have worked at that place of employment and details about your job.
What is temporary entry in NAFTA?
Temporary entry, as defined in the NAFTA, means entry without the intent to establish permanent residence. The alien must satisfy the inspecting immigration officer that the proposed stay is temporary. A temporary period has a reasonable, finite end that does not equate to permanent residence. In order to establish that the alien’s entry will be temporary, the alien must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the inspecting immigration officer that his or her work assignment in the United States will end at a predictable time and that he or she will depart upon completion of the assignment.
