TCB Malibu

Menu
Menu

TN-1 VISA

Canadians can often gain entry to the US with greater ease than others; this preferential treatment for Canadians is linked to treaty provisions within the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While there are many NAFTA related visas, the most useful one is the TN-1. The TN-1 visa was modelled on the H1B; it may only be used where the employer is based in the US, and the candidate is a professional in one of the categories listed on below.

The TN-1 visa has the following advantages over the H1-B:

  • It is granted for 3 years but can continue to be renewed indefinitely.
  • It can be applied for at the border with the US and is usually granted immediately.
  • The documentary requirements and procedure are far less burdensome than the H1B visa.

TN-1 Visa Basic Requirements

Prospective TN-1 visa applicants must meet the following basic requirements, they must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen
  • Have a US job offer in an eligible profession (see below) which requires someone with their professional skills
  • Meet the educational or qualification requirements for the job

Applications For The TN-1 Visa

The TN-1 is granted for a specific employer. If needed for more than one employer, multiple TN-1 applications need to be made. Self-employed professionals would not be able to come under this particular visa category and may consider the E-2 Treaty Investor category instead.

While it is possible to apply under the TN-1 visa with minimal documentation, it is prudent for candidates to arm themselves with the following documents at the border with the US:

  • A description of the position from the US employer, confirming that the position is temporary and its expected duration, and including full details of why it is a professional occupation. This should also confirm that the candidate will be a direct employee and state the salary level. Further, some information about the nature of the employer’s business should be included. 
  • Proof of the candidate’s qualifications, including, where appropriate, confirmation of the US equivalency of any foreign qualifications. This confirmation is generally obtained by a qualified credentials evaluator or US academic and must be accompanied by verbatim translations of any certificates/transcripts in languages other than English. 
  • A copy of the candidate’s resume (curriculum vitae). 
  • The original Canadian passport (if applicable), and, if relevant, copies of the candidate’s previous passports, visa stamps, and I-94s. 
  • Details of the candidate’s Social Security Number (if applicable) 
  • Details of the candidate’s foreign address 
  • A copy of the employment contract. 
  • Details of the employing company, including proof of ability to pay the wages offered. 
  • If relevant, a license enabling the candidate to work in the US.

The following list details all the professions which are eligible for a TN 1 Visa, as well as the education and/or qualifications required for each:

  • Accountant – baccalaureate degree, C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A. 
  • Engineer – baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license 
  • Scientist
    • Agriculturist (including agronomist) – baccalaureate degree 
    • Animal Breeder – baccalaureate degree 
    • Animal Scientist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Apiculturist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Astronomer – baccalaureate degree 
    • Biochemist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Biologist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Chemist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Dairy Scientist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Entomologist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Epidemiologist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Geneticist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Geochemist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Geologist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico or U.S.) – baccalaureate degree 
    • Horticulturist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Meteorologist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Pharmacologist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada) – baccalaureate degree 
    • Plant Breeder – baccalaureate degree 
    • Poultry Science – baccalaureate degree 
    • Soil Scientist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Zoologist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution) – baccalaureate degree
  • Medical/Allied Professional
    • Physician (teaching and/or research only) – M.D., or state/provincial license 
    • Dentist – D.D.S., D.M.D., or state/provincial license 
    • Occupational Therapist – baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license 
    • Pharmacist – baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license 
    • Physio/Physical Therapist – baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license 
    • Recreational Therapist – baccalaureate degree 
    • Registered Nurse – state or provincial license 
    • Veterinarian – D.V.M., D.M.V., or state/provincial license 
    • Medical Technologist – baccalaureate degree of post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience – must be seeking entry to perform chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests, procedures, experiments, and analysis in laboratories for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease
  • Architect – baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license 
  • Lawyer – L.L.B., J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licensure degree (five years) or membership in a state/provincial bar 
  • Technical Publications Writer – baccalaureate degree of post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience 
  • Teacher
    • College – baccalaureate degree 
    • University – baccalaureate degree 
    • Seminary – baccalaureate degree
  • Technical Publications Writer – baccalaureate degree or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience 
  • Urban Planner – baccalaureate degree 
  • Vocational Counselor – baccalaureate degree 
  • Economist – baccalaureate degree 
  • Social Worker – baccalaureate degree 
  • Mathematician – baccalaureate degree 
  • Hotel Manager – baccalaureate degree or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience 
  • Industrial Designer – baccalaureate degree or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience 
  • Interior Designer – baccalaureate degree or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience 
  • Librarian – M.L.S. or B.L.S. (for which another baccalaureate degree was a prerequisite) 
  • Animal Breeder – baccalaureate degree 
  • Silviculture’s (including forestry specialist) – baccalaureate degree 
  • Range Manager (range conservationist) – baccalaureate degree 
  • Forester – baccalaureate degree, or state/provincial license 
  • Graphic Designer – baccalaureate degree, or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience 
  • Land Surveyor – baccalaureate degree or state/provincial/federal license 
  • Landscape Architect – baccalaureate degree 
  • Nutritionist – baccalaureate degree 
  • Dietician – baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license 
  • Computer Systems Analyst – baccalaureate degree, or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience 
  • Psychologist – state/provincial license 
  • Scientific Technician/Technologist must work in direct support of professionals in the following disciplines: chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, meteorology, physics, astronomy, agricultural sciences, biology or forestry must possess theoretical knowledge of the discipline must solve practical problems in the discipline must apply principles of the discipline to basic or applied research 
  • Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster – baccalaureate degree, or 3 years’ experience in the field of claims adjustment (admissible only when a disaster has been declared) 
  • Management Consultant – baccalaureate degree or 5 years’ experience in consulting or related field

To get more Information

Contact Us Now

Our Testimonials