NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which creates special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada and Mexico. The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico, as NAFTA professionals to work in the United States.
Highlights of the TN Visa Classification
- Performs professional services for a specific employer for a fixed period of time (one year at a time)
- The job must be one which is included on the list of professions under NAFTA, appendix 1603-D.1
- May receive compensation only from the employer through who the status was obtained
- Dependents are issued TD status and are not authorized to work
Dates to Monitor
- Expiration date of Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
- Extensions should be processed approximately two to four months in advance. (Use the instructions below to assist in processing an extension.) Employee may instead exit the United States and re-enter on a new TN visa.
- If employment will end, process a separation form.
- I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) expiration date
Processing Instructions
- Instructions for Obtaining TN Status - PDF
- Instructions for Extension of TN Status - PDF
For additional information, follow this link to the TN-NAFTA section of the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Servcies (USCIS) website.