Orange County is a hub of technology and innovation, with key players in medical device, software development, and telecommunications sectors. With booming economic accomplishments and initiatives, foreign workers are keen to move to the area to advance their careers, and local businesses are eager to hire such talent. An Orange County TN visa lawyer from U.S. Law Center can facilitate and support such foreign hiring processes.
At U.S. Law Center, our group of dedicated immigration legal professionals is committed to strengthening the economy in Orange County and the surrounding areas. Our firm can help bring skilled talent from Mexico and Canada to support local enterprises and businesses. We have the experience and knowledge to optimally support all the legal processes required to help businesses hire these workers under the USMCA agreement.
The TN visa is applicable to citizens of Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This nonimmigrant work visa gives these foreign professionals the opportunity to work in certain job positions in the United States.
To obtain a TN visa, applicants must be on the USMCA list of approved professions, including teachers, engineers, scientists, and accountants. Furthermore, the applicant needs to have certain qualifications, including licenses or degrees, that are specific to their profession on the USMCA list. Applicants must also already have a prearranged job agreement with their U.S. employer. Under the TN visa regulations, self-employment is not allowed.
The initial stay for a TN visa can be granted for up to three years, with an option for renewal in three-year increments. To renew, the employment situation will need to remain constant, and the applicant must continue to meet the requirements laid out under the TN visa. As there is no annual cap on the number of TN visas that can be awarded, applicants do not have to worry about being rejected for reasons such as the unavailability of visa numbers.
Close relatives of a TN visa holder can also stay with the individual under TD visa status. However, they will not be able to work in the United States. As the TN visa is a nonimmigrant one, this means that the applicant should not have intentions to become a permanent resident in the country. However, some individuals who hold a TN visa do transition their status to become permanent residents, which can be supported by a skilled immigration lawyer.
The TN visa application process for Canadian citizens is more straightforward than that for Mexican citizens. Canadian citizens can show required documentation, including an employment letter, evaluation of credentials, and proof of citizenship at a U.S. port of entry. After paying the applicable fees, they can directly obtain a TN visa to enter the country.
It is also possible for a U.S. employer to file a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the prospective Canadian worker. Upon approval of the petition, the applicant can then ask for admission to the country at a U.S. port of entry.
Mexican professionals need to go through a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a TN visa. During consular processing to apply for the nonimmigrant visa, applicants will show proof of a job offer, relevant education and qualifications, and a valid passport. Visa application fees will also need to be submitted with the application.
Mexican citizens also have the option to have their prospective employer file a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, on their behalf. After the petition has been accepted, they can use it as supporting documentation to apply for their visa at the U.S. consulate or embassy in Mexico. A dedicated TN visa lawyer can help you understand which immigration process option may be optimal for your case, allowing you to effectively and efficiently navigate the application process.
A: The cost of hiring a TN visa lawyer in the United States is dependent on a variety of factors, such as the:
While some lawyers may charge a flat fee for handling the entire application, others may have different pricing schemes, such as hourly fees or a retainer fee. It’s important to ask your attorney upfront about costs so that you can plan ahead.
A: The cost of applying for a TN visa is dependent on whether the applicant is Canadian or Mexican and whether legal assistance is involved. Canadian nationals can apply for a TN visa at the border, resulting in a fee for admission to the U.S. Mexican nationals, on the other hand, must go through consular processing. Furthermore, for all applicants, there may be additional border crossing fees and premium processing fees.
A: For qualified Mexican and Canadian professionals who already have a job offer in the United States in a USCMA-recognized profession, getting a TN visa is a generally straightforward process. By working with an experienced TN visa lawyer, applicants can increase their chances of a successful application, avoiding unnecessary delays or rejections associated with the process.
A: The 90-day rule does not apply to TN visa holders, as these guidelines are used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to evaluate the intentions of certain nonimmigrants in the U.S. within 90 days of entry. Individuals who hold TN visas usually come to the U.S. for temporary work purposes; therefore, the activities they carry out should be in alignment with the conditions of their visa.
The TN visa program is advantageous for Mexican and Canadian professionals as well as businesses in Orange County looking to bring in foreign talent to reach their business objectives. A skilled and experienced TN visa lawyer from U.S. Law Center can support you or your company with navigating the TN visa application process. We can evaluate the details of your case. Then, we can design and implement a strong strategy to reach your goals. Contact us today.