TN Professionals

TN Category Overview: The TN category, updated on July 11, 2022, under the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), was created to facilitate the entry of Canadian and Mexican Citizens to the United States in order to engage in professional activities on a temporary basis. 

  • Professional Occupations List: The Code of Federal Regulations contains a list of the professional occupations and minimum qualifications which serves as the basis for TN employment. 
  • Eligibility for TN Status: The TN category is only available to citizens of Canada or Mexico. Landed immigrants or permanent residents of Canada or Mexico are not eligible, since the regulations made provision only for citizens of these two countries. 

Application & Processing Information

Application & Processing Information: TN processing can happen from within the US or from outside. Hiring departments of TN employees should submit a TN request eform in iPenn to create a TN case. In the eform, the hiring department needs to choose the type of TN application – TN Processing Outside the US, or TN Processing Within the US.

Processing Recommendation: While it may be possible to change/extend status to TN within the US, the process is costly and more time-consuming than applying for TN status at a port of entry. Thus, TN processing from within the US is not recommended. 

TN Processing Outside the US

This option can be used by individuals currently outside of the US and those within the US choosing to depart to obtain or extend TN status upon reentering the US. This option is generally the preferred method of obtaining or extending TN status, especially for Canadian citizens. Please note that initial processing requirements differ for Canadians and Mexicans. The internal processing fee is $200.

Application Process Overview

  • Department initiates the TN eform in  iPenn.
  • Once submitted, the case will be assigned to an ISSS advisor for processing. The assigned advisor will review the submission for completeness and once satisfied with the required information and documentation, will issue a TN letter for the employee. Along with the TN letter issued by ISSS, the employee will need to prepare the following documents:
    • Proof of Canadian or Mexican citizenship
    • Evidence of possession of required credentials for the position as stated in the USMCA Agreement such as transcripts, diplomas, licenses, certificates, etc.
      • Original documents are preferred.
      • Degrees obtained outside of the US or Canada should be accompanied by a credential evaluation.
      • All documents should be in English or include an English translation (including diplomas in Latin).
  • The process of obtaining TN status through travel differs for Canadians and Mexicans.
    • Canadian citizens must present required documentation and pay a fee to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a US port-of-entry to request admission in TN status.
      • CBP has a list of designated ports of entry for optimized processing of first-time Canadian applications for admission in the TN category.
      • Applicants are not required to use one of the designated ports, but they are recommended for smoother processing.
  • Citizens of Mexico are required to obtain a TN visa stamp at a US consulate prior to entering the US.

TN Processing Within the US

ISSS recommends obtaining TN status by traveling for immigration processing at the port of entry. 

Alternative Filing Process: If the TN employee does not want to travel, ISSS will need to file an I-129 Petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In such cases, there will be an internal processing fee of $1000 for initial and extension applications.  

  • Employer’s Responsibility: To pursue an extension or change of status to TN within the U.S., the hiring department must work with ISSS. 
  • Filing Requirement: If processing from within the U.S., it will involve a filing of a U.S. government petition by the employer, not by the TN employee.   
  • Processing Time Differences: The government processing time varies, compared to immediate processing if done at the border. 

The hiring departments and the foreign nationals are not authorized to file their own TN I-129 petitions.  Such petitions must be filed by ISSS. `

Government Filing Fees: New Process Now in Effect

To comply with the modernized payment requirement outlined in the March 25, 2025 Executive Order, effective July 1, 2025 all TN government filing fees must be paid electronically. No checks will be accepted. ISSS will be the central office using a pro-card to process government filing fees.

Please note: The budget code used to pay the ISSS internal fee will also be charged the government filing fees.

Conditions, Reminders, & Dependents Information

Period, Change & Completion of TN Employment

Period of TN Employment

Canadian and Mexican citizens may be admitted to the U.S. in TN status for a period of up to three years to participate in a qualifying activity; however, there is no cumulative total limit on the time a Canadian or Mexican citizens can be in TN status. 

Extension of Stay: Extensions of stay may also be granted in increments of up to three years, provided that the TN nonimmigrant is able to demonstrate that they do not intend to remain or work permanently in the U.S.  

Tenure-Track Positions: Candidates for tenure-track positions are asked to consult with ISSS on different immigration classifications which would allow permanent employment. 

Change of TN Employer

If an individual is already in the U.S. and in TN status but is sponsored by another employer and wishes to start employment at Penn, they must obtain a new TN status that is specific to Penn employment. 

Work Authorization Requirement: The individual must not begin working for Penn until Penn’s TN is approved. 

Completion of TN Employment

Unfortunately, there is no grace period for the TN employees. The individual is expected to leave the U.S. on the last day of employment. 

TN Employment Restrictions

The TN is specific to the employer and job/position for an individual TN employee. TN employment authorized for Penn does not allow employment with another department at Penn, at another location, or for a different employer. 

Employment Changes: Consult ISSS prior to any changes in the individual’s employment, such as change in title, academic degree required for position, number of hours worked, department, location, or position duties. In some cases, an amended petition will have to be filed with DHS. 

Risk of Non-Compliance: Please note that failure to consult ISSS may put Penn and the individual employee at risk for sanctions and penalties by DHS or U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). 

Honoraria Restrictions: TN employees are not allowed to accept honoraria or payment from outside sources. 

Travel in TN Status

TN employees should always consult with ISSS before traveling outside the U.S.  

Pending Change of Status: Furthermore, employees requesting a change of status to TN within the U.S. should not leave the U.S. while the petition is pending; DHS considers leaving the U.S. while a petition is pending to be an abandonment of the petition.

TN Dependents

The spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) of the TN status holder are eligible for TD dependent status.

TD Status Eligibility: Unlike TN status, TD status is not limited to citizens of Canada and Mexico.

To obtain TD status, a dependent must either:

  • Applying from Overseas: Apply for an TD visa stamp at the US Embassy or Consulate overseas. Canadian citizens are visa exempt. Upon entry to the US, dependents must present a copy of TN’s immigration documents, his/her passport and his/her TD visa stamp (accompanied by any supporting documents) at the US Port of Entry in order to gain TD status; or
  • Applying from the US: Apply for a Change of Status in the US.  Meet with an ISSS advisor for further details.

Study Restrictions: TD dependents may study in the US, as long as their primary purpose in the US is to accompany the TN status holder.  However, the duration of their study depends on the TN’s period of stay.

Work Restrictions: TD dependents are not eligible to work in the US. 

Extension of TD Status: If the TN is eligible and applies for an extension of stay, the TD dependent may also apply for an extension along with the TN status holder before the expiration of TD status.

A child may not continue to hold TD status upon reaching his or her 21st birthday.