The International and Postdoctoral Services Office (IPSO) has prepared this information to assist colleges/departments in determining if TN sponsorship is appropriate for their hiring needs and how to facilitate a TN sponsorship through Customs and Border Protection or adjudication by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). If you have any questions or need additional information, please email or call Jonathan Harwood, Coordinator of International Services, at joharwood@augusta.edu or 706-721-0670.
The TN (Trade NAFTA) category was developed as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA), to facilitate the entry of Canadian and Mexican citizens to the United States to engage in professional business activities on a temporary basis.
Only occupations specified in Appendix 1603.D.1 of the NAFTA treaty can serve as the basis for TN employment. Appendix 1603.D.1 also stipulates the minimum qualifications for entry into the U.S. in each occupation. Commonly sponsored positions for TN status include: Teachers, Scientists, Research Assistants, Dentists, Pharmacists and Physicians (only incidental patient care allowed). If the position requires licensure, applicants must have the license when applying for TN status.
Appendix 1603.D.1 of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA listed in 8 C.F.R. § 214.6(c).
Occupations not listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 are not eligible for TN sponsorship.
To be eligible for TN status, a potential employee must:
As TN is an employer-sponsored status, the hiring college/department is responsible for starting the TN process by notifying IPSO of their interest in a TN candidate and submitting a TN Processing/Department Request. IPSO will evaluate the candidate and position for TN sponsorship eligibility. IPSO will only petition for qualified personnel whom the college/department wishes to employ. The hiring unit must begin this process on behalf of new and continuing personnel.
There are two paths to TN status for potential and extending employees.
Applying at the border is the quickest means of obtaining TN status. IPSO can usually review a complete processing/department request and assemble the necessary documentation within two weeks. The applicant will take the documentation to the border to apply for TN status, which is usually granted immediately. Colleges/Departments can expect to wait 3-6 months if a petition for change of status is submitted to USCIS.
Both Canadian and Mexican citizens can be admitted to the United States in TN status in increments of up to three years. Extensions of stay are also granted in up to three-year increments. There is no cumulative time limit on the time a Canadian or Mexican citizen can be in TN status. Status can be renewed indefinitely, provided the TN professional can still prove nonimmigrant intent each time he or she applies for admission to the U.S.
No. TN status is considered temporary in nature and does not allow an employee to petition for permanent residency.
If a change of status petition is being submitted to USCIS, as a professional courtesy, IPSO will petition for dependents (giving them TD status). However, the USCIS filing fee of $460 (subject to change) is to be paid by the employee.
Qualifying TD beneficiaries are the spouse and any unmarried children under 21 years of age of the principal TN visa holder.
No. A TD visa holder cannot legally work in the United States but may engage in full- or part-time study.
A TN Application consists of the following documents, submitted from both the Hiring Department and the TN applicant.
FOR SPONSORSHIP THROUGH TRAVEL OR CHANGE OF STATUS
For Postdoctoral Fellow positions, please see the Postdoctoral Guidelines for information on how to obtain the template offer letter for postdocs.
For classified positions, we will need a copy of the official offer letter generated by Human Resources.
For faculty appointments, we will need a copy of the official appointment letter.
FOR CHANGE OF STATUS PETITIONS
A check of $460.00, made payable to:
Department of Homeland Security,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
California Service Center,
ATTN: CAP EXEMPT H-1B Processing Unit
P. O. BOX 30040
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-3004
The $460 is the USCIS filing fee associated with the application to petition for a TN visa (Form I-129) on behalf of Augusta University for an employee. View more information about USCIS filing fees.
A check of $2,500, made payable to:
Department of Homeland Security,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
California Service Center,
ATTN: CAP EXEMPT H-1B Processing Unit
P. O. BOX 30040
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-3004
Premium processing will reduce USCIS adjudication time to 3 weeks.
Applicants currently in the United States, not holding a TN through Augusta University
FOR SPONSORSHIP THROUGH TRAVEL
FOR CHANGE OF STATUS PETITIONS
Note:Applicants currently holding a TN with another employer who want to transfer to Augusta University will need to provide all documents listed above including their current TN Approval Notice (Form I-797 or TN visa) and copies of three (3) most recent pay stubs.
Applicants not currently in the United States
Applicants/Current Augusta University Employees Extending TN status at Augusta University
