Orlando TN Visa Attorneys

Lawyers in Orange County Helping Professionals Obtain Visas Under NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The TN nonimmigrant classification permits qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in business activities at a professional level.

Among the types of professionals who are eligible to seek admission as TN nonimmigrants are accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers. At the Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC, in Orlando, FL, we are proud to help NAFTA professionals from Mexico and Canada obtain the credentials they need to live and work in the United States legally.

TN Visa General Eligibility

A citizen of Mexico or Canada may be able to obtain a visa in order to enter the United States as a "professional" under NAFTA. A professional who qualifies for the visa may be able to enter and remain in the country for a term of up to three years. As each term draws to a close, the TN visa may be extended for another period of three years. There is no limit to the extensions, as long as the term of employment remains in temporary status.

Who Is Eligible?

Citizens of Mexico or Canada who plan to work in a professional field in the United States under NAFTA, must first ascertain that the profession qualifies on the list supplied by NAFTA. This is a list that is provided by the US government describing various fields in which there are shortages of good workers in the U.S., therefore justifying the allowance of foreigners to enter the country to work in those fields. To obtain a TN visa, one's occupation must be on the list. The professional must also meet the criteria that are required for the specific occupation in which he works, and he must be employed by a U.S. employer.

While the occupational qualifications are similar across the board, the procedural qualifications differ according to the professional's country of citizenship. If the foreign professional is from Canada, there are no limits set as to how many visas can be granted per year. Canadian NAFTA professionals generally do not need to apply for a visa to work in the United States. There are exceptions for situations in which immediate family members who are not Canadian citizens may need visas to work in the United States.

Each year, there are limits set regarding the number of TN visas that will be granted to professionals from Mexico. A visa attorney can help you determine exactly what the current limits are for Mexican professionals who desire to work in the United States under the TN visa.

Spouses and children who are dependents and under 21 may be granted a TD (trade dependent) visa when accompanying the holder of the NAFTA professional, but they will not be allowed to work in the United States. They will be able to attend school, however.

The Application Process

An applicant for a TN visa must have all required documentation, and pay all required fees, before a TN visa will be granted. In addition to filing an application and securing a passport, the non-immigrant visitor who intends to work in the U.S. under NAFTA must document and show that the applicant intends to work for a U.S. employer temporarily. The applicant must also provide evidence of how long he or she intends to stay in the country, what the work will involve, and details regarding his or her educational background and work experience.

We Are Here to Help

The TN visa application process can be more complicated than simply filling out some paperwork and waiting for results. There are a number of procedural and material requirements for obtaining these immigration benefits, and navigating through the process can be very stressful and time-consuming. For this reason, it is advisable to obtain the advice and assistance of a qualified immigration law attorney to handle the matter.

For more information or to get started on your TN visa application, contact the office of Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC. Call 407-955-5000 for a free, confidential consultation with a skilled member of our team today. From our Orlando office location, we serve clients throughout central and south Florida.