TN Status Information

Who is Eligible for TN Status?

The TN classification is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens who seek to enter the United States on a temporary basis to work in a professional-level job under provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The procedures and information outlined in this section apply only to Canadian citizens. The process for Mexican citizens to apply for TN status involves additional steps not described here. For any questions about TN status for a citizen of Mexico, contact the Office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) for assistance.

TN status may be requested for up to one year and may be renewed annually. Although the regulations do not limit the number of years that the TN may be used, TN is a nonimmigrant status and therefore, the beneficiary must establish to the satisfaction of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the employment opportunity is both temporary and short-term.

How to Sponsor a TN

What the department does

  • Provide a letter to the beneficiary addressed to the Department of Homeland Security which states the specific TN-approved profession in which the TN beneficiary will be working, a detailed summary of the job responsibilities, salary and anticipated length of stay (up to three years.) The letter should state the minimum degree and experience requirements for the job and describe how the beneficiary is qualified to perform the job.
  • After the TN has arrived on campus, collect the necessary documentation to complete the I-9 employment eligibility verification form.

What the TN beneficiary does

  • Consult the TN Reference Guide for details about admission to the United States in TN status.
  • Enter the United States in TN status no more than 10 days prior to the employment start date indicated in the employer’s letter.
  • Be sure to enter the United States in TN status, rather than as a visitor or in some other nonimmigrant status.
  • Pay the $56 TN fee in U.S. funds.
  • The U.S. immigration officer issues Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and places it in the passport. The I-94 must indicate “TN” status and reflect the validity dates requested in the employer’s letter (up to one year), the TN occupation, and the employer’s name. The I-94 is evidence of the eligibility to work in the United States and will be used by the department to complete the I-9 employment eligibility verification form. The beneficiary retains the I-94 and presents it as evidence of TN status when re-entering the United States from Canada during the period of authorized stay.
  • Check in with International Student and Scholar Services upon arrival at Florida Tech.

What ISSS does

ISSS office is generally not involved with the initial sponsorship of a TN beneficiary. Instead, the hiring Florida Tech department provides all documentation necessary for the beneficiary to enter the United States to begin TN status.

Change in Employment Status

Resignations and terminations

Upon separation from the Florida Tech, the TN beneficiary is expected to depart the United States immediately. The TN classification does grant any grace period following conclusion of employment.

Change of title and/or academic department

The TN classification is “job-specific” and cannot generally be “transferred” to another position or department on campus.

It is possible for a TN to change employers or even work with multiple employers simultaneously. However, all employment must be authorized in advance by USCIS.

On-leave status

A TN maintains lawful visa status in the United States only when maintaining paid employment. Before approving an unpaid leave for an employee in TN status, contact ISSS.

Outside professional activities

Florida Tech employees in TN status may on occasion have to lecture at other institutions or conferences. TN employees cannot receive honorarium or other monetary or material gain for such activities, although reimbursement for travel and reasonable expenses is allowed.