TN Visa - The North America Free Trade Act (NAFTA)
Description
The Nonimmigrant NAFTA professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico, as NAFTA professionals to work in the U.S.
The TN visa classification is for temporary workers in a specialty occupations.
Canadians and Mexicans citizens may be eligible to work in the United States as NAFTA professionals under the following conditions:
- Applicant is a citizen of Canada or Mexico;
- Profession is on the NAFTA list;
- Position in the United States requires a NAFTA professional;
- Applicant will work in a prearranged full-time or part-time job for an employer (see Required Documentation). Self-employment is not permitted;
- Applicant has the qualifications, meeting the specific requirements, education, and/or experience, of the profession.
- Requirements for Mexicans and Canadian citizens are different. Please click here for more information.
Hiring Departments must initiate the case. If employee will be requiring a TN visa please contact HRImmigration@utep.edu.
It is necessary to contact HR Immigration team every time you will be renewing the TN status.
All employment-based petitions filed on behalf of The University of Texas at El Paso must be submitted by an approved Immigration attorney contracted through UTEP.
It is the responsibility for the TN visa holder to maintain legal non-immigrant status at all times while present in the U.S. Please find below a few conditions that are part of status maintenance:
- Maintain a valid passport at all times
- Work only for the employer(s) listed on TN visa.
- Notify HR Immigration immediately of any potential changes to the conditions of your employment BEFORE the change occurs. This includes, but is not limited to, a significant change in your compensation package, changes in your job title, academic department, or day-to-day employment activities, changes in city of employment, changes in number of hours, and/or any leave of absence.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that the processing for any extension(s) of your TN status is started in a timely manner. You are strongly urged to start the process 3-4 months in advance of your current TN expiration date.
- Keep a valid unexpired I-94 at all times.