TN STATUS FOR MEXICAN AND CANADIAN NATIONALS

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established a non-immigrant visa classification for Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the U.S. in professional positions.  To qualify a position must be on the "position list" published, as part of NAFTA and an individual must meet the standard qualifications for such a position. This list includes several medical health professional, scientist and university teaching positions. The department must first verify the position is on the list of TN Qualifying Professions. Please contact ISSS to discuss the possibility of a TN. Email ISSS at sharonl@temple.edu or call 215-204-3805.

ELIGIBILITY FOR TN STATUS

Professionals of Mexico and Canada may work in the U.S. under the following conditions:

• Alien must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico
• Alien must possess the minimum qualifications of a member of one of the specified professions listed in the NAFTA Appendix  
• Entry must be "temporary"
• Job must constitute "pre-arranged" professional activity for a U.S. entity, within one of the professions listed in the NAFTA Appendix
• Employer can be either a U.S. employer for whom the pre-arranged services are being done, or a foreign employer who has arranged for the Canadian or Mexican citizen to provide pre-arranged services in the U.S. for a U.S. entity
• Alien cannot be "self-employed" in the U.S.
• Does not allow for dual intent (i.e. an individual should not use this category if they intend to apply for permanent residency/green card). 

TN EMPLOYMENT IS JOB AND EMPLOYER SPECIFIC

TN status is employer-specific. Unless another employer has written a TN letter and you have entered the U.S. in TN status for both Temple University and that employer or another employer has filed a TN petition for you with USCIS, you may not engage in any type of additional employment.