Visas for Canadian and Mexican NAFTA Professional Workers
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa—either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created 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 in prearranged business activities for U.S. or foreign employers. Permanent residents of Canada and Mexico are not able to apply for TN visas to work as NAFTA Professionals.
Canadians and Mexicans 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 located in the Code of Federal Regulations at 8 CFR 214.6;
• Position in the United States requires a NAFTA Professional;
• Applicant will work in a prearranged full-time or part-time job for an employer—self-employment is not permitted;
• Applicant has the qualifications of the profession—meeting the specific requirements, education, or experience.
With some exceptions, each profession requires a baccalaureate degree as an entry-level requirement. If a baccalaureate is required, experience cannot be substituted for that degree. In some professions, an alternative to a bachelor's degree is listed.
For some professions, experience is required in addition to the degree. For a complete list of professions with minimum education requirements and alternative credentials, see the Code of Federal Regulations at 8 CFR 214.6.
Note that requirements for Canadians and Mexicans are different, as explained below.
Requirements for Canadian Citizens
To perform this type of work in the United States, a visa is not required for a Canadian citizen entering as a NAFTA Professional—although a visa can be issued to a qualified Canadian TN visa applicant upon request.
A Canadian citizen without a TN visa can apply for TN nonimmigrant status at a U.S. port-of-entry. You can learn about these requirements on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website located at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/canadian-and-mexican-citizens, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website located at https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/tn-nafta-professionals.
More information about receiving TN status without applying for a visa is also available on the U.S. Embassy Ottawa website located at https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/do-i-need-a-visa/.
When is a NAFTA Professional (TN) visa required for a Canadian citizen?
A Canadian who resides in a third country with a non-Canadian spouse or child(ren)—and who plans to enter the United States as a NAFTA Professional with a family member(s)—will need a TN visa in order for the family member(s) to be eligible to apply for a derivative Trade Dependent (TD) nonimmigrant visa(s) (TD-1 for the family members of a Canadian citizen worker or TD-2 for those of a Mexican worker).
Requirements for Mexican Citizens
Mexican citizens require TN visas to request admission to the United States in this status.
How to Apply: Complete the Online Visa Application
• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. You must: (1) complete the online visa application and (2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Photo—You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the photo requirements located at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html.
Schedule an Interview
While interviews are generally not required for applicants of certain ages outlined below, consular officers have the discretion to require an interview of any applicant, regardless of age.
If you are age 13 and younger, an interview is generally not required. If you are age 14-79, an interview generally is required—with some exceptions for renewals. And if you are age 80 and older, an interview generally is not required.
You must schedule an appointment for your visa interview—generally at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate—but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa outside of your place of permanent residence.
Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early.
Appointment Wait Time
Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment as a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Prepare for Your Interview
• Fees—Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, if you are required to pay it before your interview. When your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality.
• Review the instructions available on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply to learn more about fee payment.
Gather Required Documentation
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:
• Passport valid for travel to the United States—Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo—You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements. (A photo is not required if you are applying in Mexico).
• A contract or letter of employment in the United States, to show that you have a job offer—Provide a contract or employment letter from your employer in the United States confirming your upcoming employment in one of the professional occupations listed in the Code of Federal Regulations at 8 CFR 214.6. The letter should also include:
o Your purpose of entry;
o A detailed description of your anticipated business activities or job responsibilities;
o Your anticipated length of stay in the United States;
o Your educational qualifications or appropriate credentials demonstrating professional status;
o Evidence of your compliance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations and/or state laws; and
o Arrangements for your pay.
• Documentation proving that you meet the minimum education or work experience requirements set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations at 8 CFR 214.6—evidence of education would include degrees, diplomas, certificates, professional licenses, and membership in professional organizations. To demonstrate your experience, present letters from former employers. If you were self-employed, provide your business records.
Additional Documentation May Be Required
A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a TN visa. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of your intent to depart the United States after employment as a NAFTA Professional. Evidence of your family ties may be sufficient to show your intent to return to your home country.
Proof of licensure to practice a given profession in the United States is not required to receive a TN visa, but you should consider presenting such proof along with your job offer letter and other documentation in support of your TN visa application. Upon arriving in the United States, state or non-federal authorities may require you to present proof of licensure to practice a given profession.
Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply.
Attend Your Visa Interview
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.
After your visa interview, your application may require further administrative processing. You will be informed by the consular officer if further processing is necessary for your application.
When the visa is approved, you will be informed how your passport with visa will be returned to you. Review the visa processing time to learn how soon your passport with visa will generally be ready for pick-up or delivery by the courier.
Additional Information
• Spouse and Children—Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may apply for TD visas to accompany you to the United States or join you later. You must be able to show your ability to financially support your family in the United States.
• Review TN NAFTA Professionals information on the USCIS website for information about employment and studying while in the United States in TD nonimmigrant status.
• Canadian citizen spouses and children do not need visas but should review the CBP website for the port of entry requirements.
• Spouse and children who are not Canadian citizens must apply for TD nonimmigrant visas.
• Mexican citizen spouse and children must apply for TD nonimmigrant visas.
• Spouse or children seeking to join a TN NAFTA Professional in the United States must show a valid Form I-94 from the principal TN visa holder to show that the principal TN visa holder is maintaining TN visa status.
• The U.S. Department of State cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
• Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
In Texas, as in all U.S. states, the TN visa category is a nonimmigrant visa that allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the U.S. under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has been replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). To qualify, applicants must be citizens of Canada or Mexico, have a job offer in the U.S. in a profession listed under the USMCA, and meet the educational and professional qualifications for that profession. Canadian citizens can apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port-of-entry or through the U.S. Embassy Ottawa website and do not require a visa unless they have non-Canadian family members who need TD visas. Mexican citizens must obtain a TN visa by completing the DS-160 form, scheduling an interview, and providing the necessary documentation. Spouses and children of TN visa holders are eligible for TD visas, with Canadian family members able to meet requirements at a port-of-entry and non-Canadian family members needing to apply for visas. It's important to note that visa issuance is not guaranteed, and applicants should wait for their visa before making travel arrangements.
