The TN Category for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

The TN category was established as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Citizens of Canada or Mexico coming to the U.S. on a temporary basis for professional employment with a specific employer may use this immigration option.

Canadian and Mexican faculty members, research fellows, and other post-doctoral researchers may now choose among J-1, H-1B and TN visa statuses, with the advice and assistance of the ISSO. The TN status is similar to the H-1B except that it is also available to non-academic professionals at Columbia, e.g., computer programmers, technicians, and research assistants. A baccalaureate degree is the minimum requirement to qualify for TN status in certain professions.

This nonimmigrant visa category will allow a Mexican or Canadian citizen (but not a Canadian landed immigrant) to enter the U.S. temporarily to engage in activities at the professional level. These activities have been defined as employment which requires at least a bachelor's degree or appropriate credentials demonstrating status as professional and are on the list of allowable professions as defined by the Treaty at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1274.html.

To enter the U.S. in TN status, a Canadian citizen should make an application at a port of entry to the United States. Canadians do not apply for a visa. Mexican citizens make an application at a United States Consulate for a TN visa.

When entering the U.S., a Canadian citizen must present the following documents:

1. evidence of citizenship (usually passport)
2. documentation of professional qualities, i.e. diplomas, degrees, etc. (If the diploma does not state the field of study, a transcript must be provided)
3. documentation of intent to engage in an activity a professional level, such as letters from a prospective employer in the U.S. that lists the salary, job details, length of stay and any requirements for degree or licenses
4. $50 fee (Fees are subject to change. Verify the current fee on the Department of State Web site for TN visas.)

Mexican applicants must submit the following documents when applying for a TN visa at a U.S. Consulate:

1. evidence of citizenship (usually passport)
2. documentation of professional qualities, i.e. diplomas, degrees, etc. (If the diploma does not state the field of study, a transcript must be provided)
3. documentation of intent to engage in an activity a professional level, such as letters from a prospective employer in the U.S. that lists the salary, job details, length of stay and any requirements for degree or licenses
4. $100 fee (Fees are subject to change. Verify the current fee on the Department of State Web site for TN visas.)
5. An application, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-156, completed and signed. Select Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156 to access the electronic and non-electronic versions of the DS-156. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the electronic version of the DS-156. The DS-156 must be the current version on the Department of State website.
6. Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-157 provides additional information about your travel plans. Submission of this completed form is required for all male applicants between 16-45 years of age. It is also required for all applicants from state sponsors of terrorism age 16 and over, irrespective of gender, without exception. For this purpose, nationals of the following countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, including North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, and Libya must submit the supplemental form. Select Special Processing Procedures to learn more. You should know that a consular officer may require any nonimmigrant visa applicant to complete this form. Here is Form DS-157.
7. A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
8. One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements. A photograph is not required if you are applying in Mexico.

Please check the State Department website on Mexican and Canadian NAFTA Professional Worker for more information.

Those entering in TN status can apply for permission to stay for up to three years. No maximum limit on the number of extensions has been established. Dependents of the person holding TN status enter in TD status and are not allowed to work. Dependents applying for the TD visa or entering the US in TD status should provide proof of familial relationship.

If the applicant is in the U.S. in another status or wants to extend TN status, an application may be filed by the ISSO with Immigration rather than by traveling outside the United States. The fee is $320, made payable to Department of Homeland Security. The following documents should be sent to the ISSO for an extension in TN status:

1. evidence of citizenship (usually passport)
2. documentation of professional qualities, i.e. diplomas, degrees, etc. (If the diploma does not state the field of study, a transcript must be provided)
3. documentation of intent to engage in an activity a professional level, such as letters from a prospective employer in the U.S. that lists the salary, job details, length of stay and any requirements for degree or licenses
4. $320 fee made payable to Department of Homeland Security
5. Three copies of C.V., including list of publications
6. I-94 Card
7. passport pages showing citizenship
8. the Certification of Documents and Data Sheet for TN Applicant
   

If a dependent (spouse and/or children) needs to have an extension of stay, the dependent must include

1) a form I-539
2) copy of I-94 card
3) copy of visa stamp, if previously required for entry into the US in TD status, and
4) a fee of $200, made payable to Department of Homeland Security
5) Proof of relationship to TN applicant (marriage certificate of birth certificate)

Reporting requirements for those in TN status:

1. Fax both sides of your I-94 card to the ISSO as soon as you arrive at Columbia. Our fax number is 854-3966.
2. All non-immigrants are required to notify the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 10 days of a change of address. If you are in H-1 or O-1 status, notification is accomplished by completing Form AR-11, downloadable from www.uscis.gov, and mailing the completed form to USCIS. It is advisable to send the AR-11 by certified mail, return receipt requested. Notify the ISSO of any address change; this may be done by fax to 854-3966 or by email to isso@columbia.edu
   
3. If you have undergone Special Registration (SR) at a United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) district office or a Port of Entry, you must follow SR instructions and file Form AR-11SR as required.
   

Last reviewed: 19 June 2009 Last modified: 19 June 2009
International Students and Scholars Office
Columbia University