Mahaprasad Nanda

The TN visa, established under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), allows qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the United States in pre-arranged professional positions. While the TN visa provides a temporary solution for professionals seeking employment in the U.S., many TN visa holders eventually aspire to obtain a Green Card for permanent residency. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the TN visa, the Green Card, and the process of transitioning from a TN visa to a Green Card.

TN Visa: An Overview

The TN visa is a non-immigrant visa designed for professionals from Canada and Mexico who wish to work in the United States temporarily. To qualify for a TN visa, applicants must meet specific requirements, including:

• Citizenship: You must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico1.
• Profession: Your profession must be listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)1.
• Job Offer: You must have a pre-arranged full-time or part-time job offer from a U.S. employer. Self-employment is not permitted1.
• Qualifications: You must possess the necessary educational and/or work experience qualifications for the profession1.

Specific Requirements for Nurses:

For TN positions as a nurse providing health care services, applicants must have a certification issued by the Commission On Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or another credentialing service approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security. This certificate must comply with the provisions of INA 212(a)(5)(C) and INA 212(r) and the regulations found at 8 CFR 212.15

Application Process:

Canadian citizens have an advantage as they can generally apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry by presenting the required documentation to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer5. Mexican citizens may also apply at designated ports of entry. However, it's more common for them to obtain a TN visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate before entering the United States4.