NAFTA Visas

Work Visas for Citizens of Canada or Mexico

Experienced Counsel for TN Visa (NAFTA Visa) Applications

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the U.S. government provides special visas for professional level Canadian and Mexican workers that are not available to citizens of other countries.

• The TN visa, or NAFTA visa, provides an option for degreed professionals from Canada or Mexico who are not eligible for H-1B visas because of quota caps.
• American employers can also sponsor individuals of Canada and Mexico who do not possess a bachelor's degree or professional license to fill certain scientific and technical positions in the United States.

Thirty Years of Exclusive Practice in Immigration

The Shapiro Law Group assists U.S. employers and human resources personnel in sponsoring citizens of Canada and Mexico under TN work visa status. With offices in Northbrook and Chicago, Illinois, our lawyers represent small, medium, and large companies in Illinois, in the Midwest, and nationwide. We handle all aspects of NAFTA visa processing, working closely with clients to present sponsored foreign nationals as qualifying professionals. Contact us online or at (847) 564-0712.

NAFTA Visa (Canada and Mexico)

Unlike the H-1B work visa, TN visas are not subject to a cap. Employers can sponsor workers of Canada and Mexico to enter the U.S. for certain professional level jobs (requiring a bachelor's degree, professional license, or appropriate credentials) even after the H cap has been reached. The NAFTA visa also allows sponsorship of citizens who do not possess the appropriate degree or licensure if they will be working as a technician or technologist in direct support of qualified professionals.

The NAFTA visa applies only to certain categories of jobs, including but not limited to:

• Computer systems analysts

• Accountants
• Hotel managers
• Management consultants
• Economists
• Engineers
• Scientists

Experience and Support

The Shapiro Law Group has helped many employers convert H visa applicants to TN visa status in the face of H caps on non-immigrant work visas. We assist companies in getting both non-degreed and professional workers qualified under the NAFTA work visa requirements. For example, marketing analysts would not qualify for TN status but could qualify as economists.

Canadian Citizen / Mexican Citizen TN Visa Requirements

To qualify for TN visa status, the sponsored employee must:

• Prove Canadian or Mexican citizenship
• Demonstrate that he/she will perform a profession or occupation set forth on the TN list of qualifying professions and occupations
• Demonstrate that he/she possesses the minimum education or employment experience required to perform the job

Authorization Period, Extensions and Conversions

Citizens of Canada or Mexico are granted TN work visa status for up to one (1) year, renewable in one-year increments. Canadian citizens may apply at any U.S. port of entry. Mexican citizens may apply at any U.S. Consulate. Applications to extend NAFTA work visa status for an additional year may be made while the sponsored employee is in the United States. Canadians or Mexicans who are in the U.S. may file to change their non-immigrant visa status to TN non-immigrant work visa status. Extensions and status change are filed with the Vermont Service Center of USCIS.

Call Us at (847) 564-0712

Our principal attorney, Ronald S. Shapiro, offers extensive knowledge and over 30 years of experience in all areas of business immigration.

To discuss NAFTA visa sponsorship for a particular position or individual, or for general consulting on the TN visa and other employment-based immigration, contact our Chicago law firm to arrange a consultation or presentation.