If you have relevant education or qualifications in one of the professions on the TN visa list, you can easily cross the border to work in the United States.
The list of professions includes:
- Lawyers;
- Engineers;
- Teachers;
- Accountants;
- Occupational therapists;
- And other professionals.
What is the distinction between a TN visa and an H-1B visa?
The TN visa is one of the most famous work visas for foreign nationals who wish to work in the United States. However, as a rule, the TN visa has much stricter requirements.
There are three main differences between a TN visa and an H1-B visa, including the following:
- There are no requirements for working conditions
For example, employers on this visa are not required to have a Labor Conditions Statement (LCA) from the US Department of Labor. It means companies do not need to prove they are paying average wages or guaranteeing a safe working environment (this is generally not a precedent). It can speed up the process of getting a job in the United States. It reduces costs and hassle for a US employer hiring a Canadian or Mexican citizen.
- No need for sponsorship
The HXNUMX-B visa provides for sponsorship from the employer. The TN visa, on the other hand, does not require support. The employer is not required to pay most of the fees that they would have to pay in the case of an HXNUMX-B visa. Again, this reduces costs and speeds up the immigration process for highly skilled professionals from Canada or Mexico.
- There is no limit on the number of visas issued
Another crucial difference is that there is no limit to the number of TN visas issued each year. The US government sets a limit of 65,000 H1-B visas for companies throughout the US. However, there is no limit to the number of TN visas issued annually. As long as you meet the requirements and are a citizen of Canada or Mexico, you shouldn’t have any problems obtaining this type of visa.
TN Visa types
There are two broad types of TN visas available, including the following:
- TN-XNUMX Visa: For Canadian Citizens;
- TN-XNUMX Visa: For Mexican Citizens.
What are the requirements for obtaining a TN visa?
The TN visa provides the fulfillment of special requirements. Not all Mexican or Canadian citizens are eligible for a TN visa by default. Most of the citizens of these countries are not eligible. Whether or not you get it depends a lot on your education and qualifications.
The general requirements for a TN visa depend on the specific profession. For example, the requirements for an occupational therapist are significantly different from those for an accountant.
However, the general requirements for a visa include the following:
- You must be a resident of Canada or Mexico;
- Your profession must be on the NAFTA / USMCA approved professions list;
- You must have a full-time or part-time job proposal from an organization in the United States;
- Your job offer must indicate one of the above occupations on the NAFTA / USMCA list;
- You must meet all the education and work experience requirements that are specified in your specific application;
- You must provide proof that you intend to return home after your visa expires.
Most of the professions on the list require at least a bachelor’s degree. Some fields require a master’s degree. Exact professionals will be required to notarize their diplomas if training took place outside the United States.
Many jobs also require work experience. To qualify, you need to have at least three years of work experience. To confirm work experience, you will need to provide recommendations from employers and a resume.
Some jobs on the list require special qualifications. For example, many healthcare professionals are required to provide a license. Typically, licenses are valid throughout the NAFTA region. Your license to practice speech therapy in the United States automatically entitles you to practice speech therapy in a Canadian province. However, license requirements vary by profession.
Certain medical positions also require third-party certification. For example, a registered nurse may need a certificate from the Foreign Schools of Nursing Alumni Commission. And an occupational therapist will need to be accredited by the National Board of Accreditation for Occupational Therapists. This accreditation will be valid for five years.
How to apply for a TN visa
You can apply for a TN visa online by following these steps:
- Complete Form DS-XNUMX;
It is a standard nonimmigrant application to enter the United States. Fill out the TN visa form and then receive a confirmation page and barcode.
- Pay the fee;
TN visa is granted with a fee of XNUMX for Mexican citizens only. You will need to pay other required fees depending on your status.
- Schedule Your TN Visa Interview;
After payment, you can schedule your interview at the US Embassy or Consulate.
- Submit the required documents;
The TN visa requires you to provide the following documents during the application process:
- A passport is valid for more than 6 months after the planned date of departure from the United States;
- Form DS-160 confirmation page;
- One photo that meets the requirements for a US visa;
- Receipt of payment of 160 TN visa fee;
- A letter from your employer stating your job, profession, length of the contract, education, salary, qualifications required, education required, and other relevant information.
- Attend Your Interview.
The employee wants to make sure everything is correct. Also, make sure that you are legally traveling to the United States to work in your declared profession. The employee will also want to make sure that you intend to return home after your TN visa expires.