TN NAFTA Professionals

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada and Mexico. The TN non-immigrant classification permits qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in business activities at a professional level.

Among the types of professionals who are eligible to seek admission as TN non-immigrants are accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers. You may be eligible for TN non-immigrant status, if:

You are a citizen of Canada or Mexico
Your profession qualifies under the regulations
The position in the United States requires a NAFTA professional
You have a prearranged full-time or part-time job with a U.S. employer (but not self-employment)
You have the qualifications to practice in the requisite profession

Spouse or Dependents	Need a Visa?	Must Show	Where to apply for admission to the U.S.
Not citizens of Canada or Mexico	Depends. Check with the U.S. Department of State to determine whether a visa is required and if so, to learn how to apply for a visa.	Proof of a bona fide spousal or parent-child relationship with the TN nonimmigrant; and Proof the TN nonimmigrant is maintaining his or her TN nonimmigrant status.	At a CBP- designated U.S. port of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station.
Canadian citizens	No visa required	Proof of Canadian citizenship; Proof of relationship to the TN nonimmigrant, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate; Photocopies of the TN nonimmigrant’s admission documents; and Proof the TN nonimmigrant is maintaining his or her TN nonimmigrant status.	At a CBP-designated U.S. port of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station.
Mexican citizens	Yes, must apply for a TD nonimmigrant visa at an American embassy or consulate	Proof the TN nonimmigrant is maintaining his or her TN nonimmigrant status.	At a CBP-designated U.S. port of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station.

Spouse or Dependents

Need a Visa?

Must Show

Where to apply for admission to the U.S.

Not citizens of Canada or Mexico

Depends.

Check with the U.S. Department of State to determine whether a visa is required and if so, to learn how to apply for a visa.

Proof of a bona fide spousal or parent-child relationship with the TN nonimmigrant; and
Proof the TN nonimmigrant is maintaining his or her TN nonimmigrant status.

At a CBP- designated U.S. port of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station.

Canadian citizens

No visa required

Proof of Canadian citizenship;
Proof of relationship to the TN nonimmigrant, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate;
Photocopies of the TN nonimmigrant’s admission documents; and
Proof the TN nonimmigrant is maintaining his or her TN nonimmigrant status.

At a CBP-designated U.S. port of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station.

Mexican citizens

Yes, must apply for a TD nonimmigrant visa at an American embassy or consulate

Proof the TN nonimmigrant is maintaining his or her TN nonimmigrant status.

At a CBP-designated U.S. port of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station.