What is and who qualifies for the TN visa?

In this week's column in La Opinión, I write about the existence of a special visa available to Mexican citizens.

The North American Free Trade Agreement, known as NAFTA, created economic and commercial relations between the United States, Canada and Mexico. One of the advantages of this treaty was the implementation of a special visa that allows professionals from those countries a temporary entry to work in the US. Here I will only discuss the eligibility requirements for Mexican citizens.

The TN visa is a non-immigrant visa. This means that the person applying for it will be in the country temporarily. Specialized professionals such as accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists and professors are eligible to apply for the TN visa.

This visa requires that in addition to being a Mexican citizen, your profession must be considered one of those recognized by NAFTA. In addition, you must have a job offer from an employer in the U.S. before arriving in the country. The labor agreement can only be of a temporary nature. The maximum period of stay allowed under this visa is up to three years, but may be extended by requesting an extension of stay.

Mexican citizens are not required to file a TN visa petition with the USCIS. They may apply for this visa directly at the U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico.

Once you are approved for a TN visa, you may apply for admission to the U.S. at a U.S. port of entry. If you pass inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and are found eligible, you will be admitted as a TN nonimmigrant. Your proof of admission will be the Form I-94 Entry/Exit Form.

Relatives of TN visa applicants may also obtain the benefit of admission to the country. Spouses and children under 21 years of age may be eligible for nonimmigrant status. Dependents of the person applying for the TN visa do not have to be Mexican citizens, but should contact the U.S. embassy or consulate serving their home country for information on how to apply for the visa. Spouses and children cannot work during their stay in the U.S., but are allowed to study.