
What is best way to obtain TN visa?
- Offer letter
- Valid passport (the passport's expiration date is highly recommended to be at least 6 months longer than the fixed term work contract in the US)
- Employment supporting documentation per step 4 above
- University confirmation letter and copies of your educational degree (s) and transcript (s)
How much does a visa actually cost?
Visa services cost about $400 or $500 for the visa part, and $500 or $600 for the green card part. No clue on how much lawyers are but I'm guessing double the visa services. So, easily hits $4000 with a visa service, who really knows with a lawyer (but at least that). That's all just for if everything goes well.
How to apply for a TN visa?
- Gather Required Documentation. Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United ...
- Attend Your Visa Interview. During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa.
- Additional Information. ...
Does a TN visa require sponsorship?
Why a TN Visa does not require Sponsorship; tips of how to deal with prospective employers; differences for Canadian and Mexican Nationals; difficult TN categories (Management Consultant & Economist); the TN Application process explained; and some tips and common TN visa pitfalls. Also you will also receive a free TN visa guide.

How much does a TN visa cost an employer?
Unlike the H-1B visa category, an employer is not required to pay any of the costs associated with filing for a TN visa. Under the H-1B visa program, employers are generally required to pay all costs such as government filings fees and any associated legal fees.
Do you have to pay for TN visa?
TN Visa Application and Filing Fees These are the fees for the TN visa: Visa application filing fee at a US Embassy or Consulate Abroad: $160. USCIS petition filing fee: $460 (only necessary if the foreign national is inside the U.S. and switches to a TN visa from another visa status.
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 long does a TN visa take to process?
As of May 2022, the Vermont Service Center is taking two months to process I-129s for TN visas. For the most accurate processing time, check the USCIS site. However, you can opt to pay an additional fee for premium processing, which will expedite your TN petition's processing time to 15 business days.
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.
Does TN visa require interview?
What is a TN interview? Canadian citizens can apply for a TN visa at a legal port of entry to the United States, while Mexican citizens must first apply at their local US consulate. In both cases, applicants must submit to an interview with an immigration officer to obtain their TN visa.
Do I 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.
Do you need a job offer to apply for TN visa?
Qualifications for a TN visa To qualify for TN visa status, you must have an offer of employment from a U.S. company to work in a profession that is listed on the NAFTA occupations list. Your employer in the United States must require someone in your professional capacity for the position.
Does a TN visa require sponsorship?
So while a TN Visa does require a job offer and written support from a US employer, this is not considered formal sponsorship.
Can I apply for TN visa myself?
TN Visa under USMCA for Canadians. You must have a job offer from a U.S. employer before applying for TN status. You cannot apply on your own without such an offer of employment. The TN visa was originally created under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, U.S. and Mexico.
Can TN visa be denied?
An individual may be denied a TN at the border not only if his/her job or credentials do not meet the requirements for a TN, but also on account of activities occurring during past visits to the U.S. Individuals who CBP believes violated the terms of a prior visa, e.g. by working without authorization, remaining in the ...
How long can you stay in U.S. 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.
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.
What is required for a TN visa?
In order to be eligible for TN status, you will need: Proof of your Canadian or Mexican citizenship, such as a passport. A pre-arranged full-time or part-time job in the United States with a U.S. employer, or a foreign employer with a U.S. entity. Qualifications to practice, such as a bachelor's or master's degree.
What happens after TN visa is approved?
If approved, a TN visa stamp will be affixed to the applicant's passport. TN visa stamps are currently valid for only a 1-year period. TN visa stamp holders must then present themselves for admission to the U.S. at a U.S. port-of-entry.
How long is a TN visa valid for?
How long is the TN visa valid? The TN visa is valid for one year terms. You can extend your TN visa status for additional one year terms, but must prove that you continue to maintain a foreign residence and do not intend to stay permanent in the United States.
How much does the TN Visa cost?
The TN Visa is very inexpensive.Total cost at Border = $56 USD., $50 for the filing fee and $6 for I-94 fee. Pay at the border at the time of apply...
What is a TN document?
REMEMBER: to have all your documentation complete and be prepared for the informal border interview. If you are not prepared, the Immigration Offic...
What documents are usually presented when registering a TN at the border?
The common documents that are usually required when applying for the TN at the border include: 1. TN Visa Application letter (sample application le...
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:
Does premium processing increase chances of approval?
While premium processing does shorten your processing time, it does not increase your chances of being approved. If the USCIS fails to process your petition in that time after you have filed the I-907 premium processing form, your premium processing fee will be refunded and your petition will be processed normally.
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.
1. Support letter preparation costs
One of the most important documents you’ll need to supply with your application is the employer’s support letter. It’s going to affect your rates of success substantially, so having a professional check it out before you’ve filed your application is of the utmost importance.
2. Legal fees will be higher if you were previously denied a TN visa
We suggest you hire legal services to help you with your TN visa application right from the start. Once you get denied, things get much more complicated and much more expensive pretty quickly. It’s certainly something you’d want to avoid, especially if you’re in a rush to get to the US.
3. Legal fees will depend on your attorney
As we’ve mentioned before, all TN visa applicants should have some degree of legal help at their disposal. Different attorneys charge different fees – the only thing that’s constant is the government filling expenses. Make sure you’ve found someone who’s guaranteed to bring you the results you want, but whose services also suit your budget.
4. Interview preparation is costly but crucial
No matter if you’re filling your application in the US embassy or consulate, you’ll be required to talk to an immigration officer sooner or later. Saying all the right things on your interview is key to getting your TN Visa, so do not underestimate the importance of it.
5. You can get a free preliminary consultation in some places
The biggest mistake people who get their TN visa applications denied make is not consulting with a TN Visa Expert before applying. In this way, you’d know whether you’re eligible or not long before you’ve spent all of your money on legal fees.
6. The rules are different for Canada and Mexico
While the basic principles remain the same, there are some nuances between the TN visa applications in Canada and Mexico. For this very reason, we advise against believing everything you read online.
Other important facts about the TN visa process
Not everyone can apply for a TN visa. You’ll need a suitable education level (Bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum) in a field that’s covered by the TN NAFTA agreement. You can check whether you’re eligible on the official UCSIS web pages.
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 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 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.
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.
How long is a TN valid for?
TN is valid for up to 3 years at a time but is renewable indefinitely as long as the individual does not show immigrant intent
What is TN status?
TN status allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to come to the United States to work in certain specialty occupations. But as an employer, the process can be daunting. Who is eligible, where do you submit your application, and how much does it cost? Read on for the answers to these questions and more.
What do employers need to provide for the TN application?
What application materials do employers need to provide for the TN application? In the most basic cases, the employer only needs to provide a letter of support for the employee indicating the job opportunity, the NAFTA profession, dates of employment, compensation, and other basic information.
How is TN different from traditional sponsorship?
Hiring an employee on TN is different from traditional sponsorship because it requires minimal work for the employer and there are no further obligations for the employer once TN status is granted, besides remaining compliant
Can a strong TN be rejected?
Strong TN applications are rarely rejected outright. At CBP, unsuccessful TN applications are provided the opportunity to “withdraw,” especially in circumstances where the Canadian employee applies at a pre-clearance facility and is able to stay in Canada. USCIS may often ask for a Request For Evidence (RFE) for applications that are initially not approved
How much does it cost to get a diversity visa?
There are not many fees for the diversity visa except for the application or sign-up fee. This fee is 330.00 USD and must be paid before submitting the application online.
When are fees not necessary for US nonimmigrant visas?
There are also instances where you do not have to pay a fee and that is in these situations:
What is a non-petition based visa?
Non-petition based visas are those that do not require an employer or someone from the US to petition for a person who wants to temporarily live in the US. The applicant can simply submit Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and follow the usual steps of paying the fees, scheduling the interview, submitting supporting documents, and attending their interview.
What is a lottery visa?
The US Diversity Visa or Lottery is for those who want to try out their luck and see if they can get selected for a US immigrant visa by chance. The applicants sign up each period and the US institutions decide on how many winners of the visa to select annually. The usual period for signing up is during November and applications are then reviewed during the year.
What is an immigrant visa?
The US immigrant visas are those that allow a person to stay permanently in the US where they can live and work. The fees for the immigrant visas are for petitions as well as processing fees.
How much does an affidavit of support cost?
Another common fee for most immigrant visas is the Affidavit of Support, which costs 120.00 USD. The fee is paid from US citizen sponsors who can guarantee that they will support the applicant financially until they settle down and can work within the US.
Is it free to apply for a US visa?
Applying for a US visa does not come for free. Instead, there are various US visa costs and US visa application fees that you must pay. How much is an American visa depends on the type of visa that you want to get and also the country you are from.
