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Understanding how TN visas work

On Behalf of | Feb 24, 2022 | Employment Immigration |

When the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect, it facilitated special trade and economic relations between Mexico, Canada and the U.S. It is now responsible for generating myriad opportunities in Maryland and other states to bolster the economy of each country through cooperative trade and the sharing of professions.

In some cases, it’s necessary to work with a TN NAFTA professional to ensure that the job is handled properly by following all standard regulations and protocols, so nothing is left to chance. Through NAFTA’s employment immigration regulations, more working professionals in specialized fields are able to reach across borderlines and provide their highly valuable expertise where it’s needed most.

What to know about TN visas

With the new classification of TN non-immigrant, any citizen of Canada or Mexico who meets the appropriate qualifications may seek to temporarily enter the U.S. if they are traveling for business or other professional reasons. Some examples of professionals who can apply for a TN visa include:

• Lawyers
• Scientists
• Teachers
• Pharmacists
• Engineers
• Accountants

TN visa eligibility

In order to be eligible for a TN visa, valid legal citizenship in either Mexico or Canada is required. TN visas are generally only granted for situations in which a NAFTA professional is necessary to fill the role. It’s also required that a full-time or part-time position with an employer in the United States be arranged prior to application for the TN visa.

For Canadian citizens, it’s generally not difficult to gain non-immigrant admission into the U.S. without the need for a visa. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said if you’re a citizen of Mexico. Employment immigration law still requires professionals who are Mexican citizens to go through the full application process and be accepted for their TN visa before gaining non-immigrant admission.

Thanks to the trade and economic opportunities that were opened up by the North American Free Trade Agreement, it’s now possible for certain professionals to apply for TN visas to work in a different NAFTA country. This has allowed more qualified experts to fill necessary roles and complete jobs with fewer restrictions from national borders.

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