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Here is my story on how I got my first US TN visa.

In 2016, I obtained my TN visa at the Sweet Grass border in Alberta. However, the border agent was not familiar with the TN visa and had to consult with another officer who took some time to review my job offer.

I was asked to write down my job responsibilities in my own words, without referring to the offer letter.

During the questioning process, the officer asked me about my programming experience and the percentage of programming required for my job as a System Analyst. I explained that only 10% of my job involved SQL writing to validate data.

Unfortunately, my visa application was denied that day because I did not have my original degree with me, which I thought was not required. The officer informed me that if I could present my original degree the next day, my TN visa would be approved. I was able to provide my original degree and received approval for a one-year TN visa the following day.

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What is TN Visa?

The TN visa is a nonimmigrant work visa category that allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the United States. It was created under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and is now governed by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

To be eligible for a TN visa, a candidate must meet specific education and professional requirements, and the job they are being hired for must be included in the list of eligible professions. Some of the eligible professions include accountants, engineers, lawyers, and scientists, among others.

TN visas are valid for up to three years and can be extended indefinitely in three-year increments. Unlike other nonimmigrant work visas, TN visa holders do not have to maintain a foreign residence or show ties to their home country.

It's important to note that while TN visas are available to citizens of Canada and Mexico, the requirements and procedures for obtaining a TN visa may differ depending on the country of origin. Additionally,

How do you qualify for TN Visa?

To qualify for a TN visa, the applicant must:

Be a citizen of Canada or Mexico
Have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a profession that is listed in the NAFTA/USMCA treaty.
Possess the required qualifications, education, or professional credentials for the profession.
Intend to work in the United States for a temporary period, usually up to three years

How and where do you apply for TN Visa?

TN visa applications are filed with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a designated border crossing or pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station. The application process typically involves presenting a job offer letter and other supporting documents to demonstrate the applicant's qualifications and eligibility for the TN visa.

TN visa holders can apply for an extension of their status and can travel outside the United States and return during the period of their authorized stay. However, they are not eligible to adjust their status to permanent residency in the United States. (For more details Email US)

What are the list of professions that are eligible for TN Visa?

NAFTA Professional List


Profession	Minimum Educational Requirements and Alternative Credentials
Accountant	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree / C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., C.M.A.N. A business person seeking temporary employment may also perform training functions relating to the profession, including conducting seminars.
Architect	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license. The terms "state/provincial license" and "state/provincial/federal license" mean any document issued by a state, provincial, or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not a local government, that permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession.
Computer Systems Analyst	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate and three years experience. (a) "Post Secondary Diploma" means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States. (b) "Post Secondary Certificate" means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in Mexico, an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an academic institution created by federal or state law.
Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or three years experience in claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims.
Economist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Engineer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Forester	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Graphic Designer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma and three years experience.
Hotel Manager	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate in hotel/restaurant management and three years experience in hotel/restaurant management.
Industrial Designer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience.
Interior Designer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience.
Land Surveyor	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree or state/provincial/federal license.
Landscape Architect	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Lawyer	L.L.B., J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licenciatura degree (five years); or membership in a state/provincial bar.
Librarian	M.L.S., or B.L.S. (for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree was prerequisite).
Management Consultant	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent professional experience as established by statement or professional credential attesting to five years experience as a management consultant, or five years experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement.
Mathematician	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Range Manager / Range Conservationist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Scientific Technician / Technologist	Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics; and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in any of those disciplines, or the ability to apply principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied research. A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry for work in direct support of professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics.
Social Worker	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Sylviculturist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Technical Publications Writer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience.
Urban Planner	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Vocational Counselor	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Medical/Allied Professionals
Dentist	D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental or state/provincial license.
Dietician	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Medical Laboratory Technologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma / Post Secondary Certificate, and three years experience. A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases.
Nutritionist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Occupational Therapist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state provincial license.
Pharmacist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state provincial license.
Physician (teaching on research only)	M.D., Doctor en Medicina; or state/provincial license.
Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
Psychologist	State/provincial license; or Licenciatura degree.
Recreational Therapist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Registered Nurse	State/provincial license or Licenciatura degree.
Veterinarian	D.V.M., D.M.V., or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license.
Scientist
Agriculturist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Animal Breeder	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Animal Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Apiculturist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Astronomer	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Biochemist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Biologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Chemist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Dairy Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Epidemiologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geneticist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geochemist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Geophysicist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Horticulturist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Meteorologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Pharmacologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Physicist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Plant Breeder	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Poultry Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Soil Scientist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Zoologist	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Teacher
College	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Seminary	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
University	Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

Here are some tips on increasing your chance of getting your TN visa approved.

1. Have your documents in place.
a. Make sure to bring your original copy of your degree. Photocopies will not be accepted.
2. Your job offer letter.
a. Your job offer letter must have your start date and end date of your employment. (Max 3 years)
b. Your job offer letter must have your salary mentioned.
c. Your job offer letter must have your roles and responsibilities according to the NAFTA professional list.
d. Be prepared to answer your job roles and responsibilities during the interview process with the Border Officer.
e. Be prepared to write your job roles and responsibilities in front of the Officer if asked.
f. Be prepared to prove that you are a Canadian or Mexican Citizen.
g. Be confident in your expertise.

This will help you to secure your TN visa.

Hope this helps!

USMCA in Collin County, TX, has been an invaluable resource for me in understanding the TN visa process. Their blog has insightful, up-to-date information that has helped me stay informed and confident throughout the application process. Highly recommended.

This blog has insightful, up-to-date information that has helped me stay informed and confident throughout the application process. Highly recommended.

- Huda

TN Visa Eligibility Checker for Canadian Citizens.

1. Must be a Canadian or Mexican Citizen.

2. Must have experience or apply for the jobs listed in the NAFTA Professional list.

3. Must have a job offer letter from a US employer.

4. Willing to prove that you will be back in your home country after finishing the job offered.

If you check all of the above points you may be eligible to apply for a TN Visa.

TN Visa Application Assistance

Step by step guidance to help users throughout the TN visa application process.

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Contact Us for TN Visa Question

Have questions about TN visa applications? I can provide you with my experience and try my best to answer your question. Please email me with your question.

About Us

I'm excited to share my personal experience with TN Visa via this blog. My goal is to provide comprehensive information to those interested in applying for a TN visa. I will provide an online blog with easy-to-understand content and resources to help individuals understand the requirements and process of obtaining a TN visa. I will update this blog regularly with relevant information and resources to help individuals stay informed about the TN visa process.

TN Visa Blog