Non-Immigrant Visas NAFTA Visas (TN)

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada and Mexico and authorized nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visas for citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the United States as NAFTA professionals. NAFTA Chapter 16, Annex 1603, Appendix 1603.d.1., specifies the professional occupations that qualify for TN visa status. How to Apply Applicants for a NAFTA visa (TN) must submit all of the required documentation for preview by the Consulate as part of the application process. During this process, the applicant must establish that the employment offer meets TN requirements and that the applicant has the required educational or other credentials. Application packages can be mailed to: United States Consulate Matamoros Attn: NIV Chief 225 South Vermillion Rd Brownsville, Texas 78521 The submission envelope should clearly state that the enclosure is a TN visa application. Applications should include an offer of employment from the prospective employer that contains all of the required information. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate that they meet the educational or work experience for the position being offered, in accordance with the NAFTA professional requirements In addition to the documentation needed to meet the basic TN visa requirements, each application should include: •  A DS-156 (Non-Immigrant Visa Application) form for the principal applicant and each member of his/her family applying with him/her. •  A DS-157 (Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa Appplication Form) for all male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45. Once the preview of the application is complete, the TN visa applicant(s) will be required to appear in person before a Consular officer for a personal interview, along with any dependents who will be accompanying him/her to the U.S. The applicant--as with all visa categories--has the burden of demonstrating eligibility for TN visa classification. It is vital that the applicant bring any additional information requested by the reviewing officer to the interview. At the time of the interview, the applicant must bring any additional information requested by the reviewing officer, passports with a minimum of six months of remaining validity for the principal applicant and each family member applying, and a Banamex receipt showing the full visa application fee (currently the equivalent of $100US) for each applicant, including children. At the end of the interview, should the enterprise and the principal applicant qualify for TN visa issuance, the applicant must be prepared to pay the visa reciprocity fee of $100US (or peso equivalent) per person per year of visa validity. Spouses and Children Spouses and dependent children (unmarried children under the age of 21) who are accompanying or following to join TN visa holders may receive a derivative TD visa. Applicants must demonstrate a bona fide spousal or parent-child relationship to the principal TN visa holder. Dependents do not have to be citizens of Mexico or Canada. Spouses and children cannot work while in the U.S. They are permitted to study. Processing Times It may take up to four weeks to process a TN visa application, but this time frame may vary without notice due to workload demands. Applications are reviewed and processed in the order in which they are received. The applicant will be notified directly when the application has been reviewed and an interview time will be scheduled. He/she will be provided information regarding any additional documentation that will be required during the interview at the time the interview is scheduled.