Pros and Cons of Applying for TN Visa Status

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of applying for a TN work visa. The TN NAFTA Professionals visa, a unique category of U.S. visas, was established as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This visa allows eligible citizens of Canada and Mexico to enter the United States temporarily for professional business operations under the TN status.

If you meet the requirements for TN status, you will be entitled to work and stay in the country for up to three years, with the possibility of extension. It also allows you to sponsor your family to immigrate to the US and live with you, depending on your specific circumstances. However, it is advisable to consult a professional TN Visa Attorney for additional details and to prevent any potential errors while filing your application.

The article further delves into the pros and cons of applying for the TN visa. It provides detailed information about the benefits and drawbacks of the TN visa application process.

Benefits of the TN visa:

1. Canadian citizens can directly apply for a TN visa at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at certain U.S. ports of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station without having to apply at a consulate or embassy.

2. The TN visa covers a wide range of occupations including, but not limited to, nutritionists, hotel managers, forestry professionals, and economists.

3. You have the flexibility to choose your U.S. employer before traveling to the country.

4. Your spouse and children can travel and stay with you in the US under your sponsorship for the period of your visa.

Drawbacks of the TN visa:

1. Only citizens of Canada and Mexico are eligible for TN status.

2. As a nonimmigrant visa, it is only valid for a short period of time and does not provide a direct path to obtaining a green card or U.S. citizenship.

3. Mexican nationals cannot apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry like Canadian nationals. They must first apply for a TN visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

4. A baccalaureate degree is a prerequisite for all the occupations that can be pursued with a TN visa.

5. You must have work before applying for a TN visa. The visa does not allow you to find employment after approval.

6. Although your spouse and children can travel to the US with you, this is limited to your spouse and any minor children under the age of 21.

The article also highlights a report about the changing demographics of the U.S. undocumented immigrant population. The report by Pew Research Center shows that there has been a significant decline in the number of undocumented immigrants from 2007 to 2021. The origins and residence locations of these individuals within the United States have also shifted, with a noticeable decrease in Mexican immigrants. The report also suggests that the illegal immigrant population has increased from practically every other part of the world, with the largest increases from South and East Asia and Central America. The states of Washington and Florida have seen an increase in the number of illegal immigrants, while California and Nevada have witnessed decreases.