TN Visa for Canadians and Mexicans

Obtaining a TN Visa Stamp before Entry (Mexican Citizens Only)

In order to be admitted to the United States in TN status, Mexican citizens must first obtain a TN visa stamp from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the United States. More information is available on the Department of State website. Mexican citizens should check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where they will apply for a visa stamp regarding appointment scheduling, processing times, and required documents. They should also consult the ISchO Travel Advisory.

Obtaining TN Status at a Port of Entry (Canadians and Mexicans)

Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking admission to the United States in TN status should apply for admission with a U.S. immigration officer at a “Class A” land border port of entry, at a U.S. airport handling international traffic, or at a U.S. pre-clearance/pre-flight station, and should present the requested documentation sufficiently in advance of actual departure time (if traveling by air) to allow for processing. The applicant may wish to call the CBP inspection station at the planned port of entry ahead of time to verify that TN applications are accepted, since applications are not processed at every U.S.–Canada and U.S.–Mexico border crossing.

U.S. port of entry locations

Designated ports of entry for optimized processing for first-time Canadian TN applicants

The applicant should present:

1. Proof of Canadian or Mexican citizenship [and TN visa stamp for Mexican citizens]

2. A letter from the employer on departmental letterhead with an original signature. Please be sure to provide a copy to the ISchO for our records. The letter should include:

• The profession of the applicant, as listed in USMCA Chapter 16 Appendix 2 (see list of qualifying professions).
• A description of the professional activities, including a brief summary of daily job duties, if appropriate, that the applicant will engage in for MIT
• The applicant’s educational qualifications or appropriate credentials, that demonstrate that he/she has the professional level status and the qualifications needed for the position
• The anticipated length of appointment/employment (not to exceed 3 years, though possible “reapplication” for TN status if appointment is extended may be indicated)
• The specific arrangements for remuneration during the time period requested (annual salary from MIT, amount and source of Canadian or Mexican funding with equivalent in U.S. dollars, etc.)
• If required by state or local law, that the Canadian or Mexican citizen complies with all applicable laws and/or licensing requirements for the activity in which he or she will be engaged

3. Proof of degree, such as an original diploma or degree certificate. A printout of an original transcript is also recommended, especially if your diploma or degree certificate does not list the degree field. Documentation not in English must be accompanied by a translation. Also, it is recommended that degrees, diplomas, or certificates from educational institutions not located within Canada, Mexico, or the United States be accompanied by an evaluation from a reliable credential evaluation service that specializes in evaluating foreign credentials. It is also recommended to have your CV in hard copy available upon request by the border/port of entry officials.

A Canadian or Mexican citizen who qualifies for TN status may be given an admission stamp in the passport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon admission into the U.S. They should also print their  I-94 admission record  from the CBP website  and keep it with their passport/immigration documents. The I-94 record/admission stamp should be marked with the notation "TN" and the date of expiration (not to exceed 3 years).

The spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) of a TN scholar are eligible for TD status for the same period of admission as the TN scholar. Proof of family relationship is necessary. If the TN scholar and dependents travel separately, proof of the scholar’s TN status (such as a copy of the scholar’s admission stamp in the passport and I-94 record printed from the CBP website) may also be required. Each dependent who is a Canadian citizen must present proof of Canadian citizenship. If a dependent is not a Canadian citizen, a valid passport with a TD visa stamp from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate must be presented.

Canadians and Mexicans already in the United States in another nonimmigrant visa status may be eligible to apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change to TN status from within the United States. Consult with an advisor in the ISchO for specific forms and guidelines. The ISchO will submit these applications on behalf of scholars who will be affiliated with MIT through an academic appointment or professional research staff position. These applications may take several months to process.

NOTE: Former J-1 Exchange Visitors who are subject to but have not complied with the 2-year home country residence requirement are not eligible to change to TN status in the United States. However, it is possible to travel and reenter the United States in TN status. Obtaining TN status does not remove the 2-year residency requirement.

TN status is renewable in any increment up to 3 years, depending on the length of the MIT appointment. If the applicant plans to remain in the United States beyond the end dates currently authorized, he/she will need to either travel back to Canada or Mexico before the expiration of the TN status with proof of continued employement and other original documentation (see Obtaining TN status, above) OR file a petition for extension of status with USCIS before the expiration of the current authorization date. Several months' advance notice is needed for the ISchO to file the petition in a timely manner.

Please consult with an advisor in the ISchO for more information on extending TN status.

If TN status is extended through travel, a copy of the new I-94 record or admission stamp in the passport must be provided to the ISchO upon return.

If a scholar who is in the United States in TN status wishes to change or add a U.S. employer, this may be possible under certain circumstances. Please consult with an advisor in the ISchO for more information.

In general, a scholar in TN status may leave the United States and be readmitted for the remainder of the period authorized on the initial I-94 record or admission stamp in the passport if the original intended professional activities and employer(s) have not changed. If the scholar no longer has Form I-94 but the period of initial admission has not lapsed, documents may be presented such as the original fee receipt for admission as TN or a previously issued admission stamp as TN in a passport, and a confirming letter from the U.S. employer(s). In addition, Mexican citizens must have a valid TN visa stamp in their passports. Please contact an ISchO advisor prior to travel, as our advice may vary depending on your particular situation and travel plans.

ISchO Travel Advisory

Travel and Visa Renewal Information

Please consult the ISchO for assistance and information on the appropriate visa and visa processing procedures for prospective appointees. A chart highlighting some of the main features of TN and J-1 status follows.