TN Visa Period Extension Proposed

The USCIS announced yesterday that it is publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to increase the maximum amount of time a TN visa holder can remain in the U.S. before seeking readmission or extension of stay from one year to three years.  The goal behind the proposed rule is to provide TN visa holders similar visa terms as other skilled worker visas, such as H-1B.

Under the current regulations, TN visa holders must seek extensions or readmission every year.  While in many circumstances such extension or readmission is without issues, TN visa holders often complain of the cumbersome yearly readmission requirements to which H-1B or L-1 visa holders are not subject. The new rule seeks to address these concerns and provide more certainty and uniformity among skilled professional visa categories.

The NPRM, once implemented as a final rule, will provide a number of benefits to all stakeholders.  TN visa holders will not have to travel outside of the U.S. or seek extension every year thus saving money and time.   U.S. employers will have greater certainty that TN beneficiaries will be allowed longer terms.  Finally, the USCIS will have a reduced work load due to the decreased number of TN visa extensions.

About the TN Visa.  Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry to the United States as professionals may come into the country as TN nonimmigrants under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). TN status is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, or appropriate professional credentials, who work in professions listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA and under DHS regulations at 8 CFR 214.6(c). Eligible TN professions include, but are not limited to, accountants, engineers, attorneys, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.