Are you an international professional seeking to broaden your horizons and advance your career in the United States? The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Visa, also known as the TN Visa under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), offers exciting opportunities for qualified professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in the U.S. temporarily.
What is the NAFTA Visa (TN Visa)?
The NAFTA Visa, created under NAFTA and continued under USMCA, is a non-immigrant work visa that allows qualified professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in the U.S. in certain approved professions. This visa category is designed to facilitate the temporary entry of professionals who bring valuable skills and expertise to the U.S. job market.
To qualify for the NAFTA Visa, candidates must meet the following criteria:
a. Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of either Canada or Mexico.
b. Approved Professions: The TN Visa is available for professionals engaged in specific approved professions. These professions include but are not limited to engineers, accountants, architects, scientists, teachers, economists, and computer systems analysts, among others. Each profession has its own educational and experience requirements.
c. Job Offer: Candidates must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in an approved profession.
d. Temporary Intent: The NAFTA Visa is a non-immigrant visa, meaning that applicants must demonstrate their intention to stay in the U.S. temporarily and return to their home country upon visa expiration.
The NAFTA Visa presents numerous advantages for international professionals, such as:
a. Expedited Process: The TN Visa application process is often faster and more straightforward compared to other work visa categories.
b. Temporary Work Authorization: The visa allows professionals to work in the U.S. for an initial period of up to three years, with the possibility of extensions.
c. Dependents: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age may accompany the TN Visa holder to the U.S. under the TD Visa category.
d. Multiple Entries: TN Visa holders can leave and re-enter the U.S. as needed during the visa’s validity period.
NAFTA Visa presents an excellent opportunity for qualified professionals from Canada and Mexico to gain valuable work experience in the United States. The visa category offers a streamlined application process, temporary work authorization, and the chance to develop both personally and professionally.
Only citizens of Canada and Mexico are eligible for a nonimmigrant NAFTA professional (TN) visa. It grants the holder temporary entry into the United States for business at a professional level.