The North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA") provides a unique, temporary working visa status for Canadian citizens referred to as "TN" status. Some of the characteristics of this status are the following:

• Valid in increments of one year.
   

• Renewable without any particular limitation or "cap".
   

• May be obtained at port of entry without any advance processing.
   

• Minimal filing fee.

The basic requirements for TN status are the following:
 

• An offer of employment in one of the specific occupations listed in the appendix to NAFTA
   

• Possession of a least a U.S. Bachelor's Degree (or a Canadian three year baccalaureate degree)in a related field (there are a few exceptions to the degree requirement).
   

Some of the more useful occupations designated on the approved list are the following (note: consult Appendix 1603.D.1 of NAFTA for a complete listing of approved occupations):

Accountant, Architect, Computer Systems Analyst (Bachelor's Degree or two years Post-Secondary Diploma plus three years experience), Engineer, Management Consultant (requires Bachelor's Degree or five years experience), Mathematician, Research Assistant (in educational institution), Scientific Technician, Medical/Allied Professionals, including Dentists, Nurses, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Veterinarians, and others), Medical Doctors (teaching or research only), Scientists, Teachers (college or above only)
 

An application for entry to the U.S. in TN status is generally made at a U.S. port of entry. In most cases no appointment or prior screening is required. Evidence of Canadian citizenship, proof of a qualifying job offer in the form of a detailed letter, and evidence of academic qualifications is required.

For applicants already in the U.S. in another status, it may be possible to seek a change of status through CIS without leaving the country.
 

• The job title
   
• Adetailed job description
   
• Astatement of the minimum academic degree requirement for the position
   
• Astatement of any licensing requirements for the position
   
• The proposed salary
   
• The employer's Federal ID Number
   
• Most recent annual report and/or descriptive corporate/product brochures, if available; if not, a brief description if the company including nature of products or services, number of facilities, employees, gross revenues, number of years in business, etc.

• Resume or CV (or brief narrative description of applicant's overall education and work experience)
   
• Copies of all educational documents (college or above), including diplomas (and transcripts if readily available); if diploma is not yet available, provide confirmation of completion from university/college
   
• Copy of any correspondence from CIS, State Department, Labor Department, or U.S. Information Agency

• Applicant's full name, including any other names used
   
• Address abroad to which applicant will return
   
• Date and place of birth (city and country)
   
• Present occupation (title)
   
• U.S. Social Security # (if any)
   
• Dates of any prior visits to the U.S. and visa status used
   

  (if B-1 or B-2 visitor status only, specific dates are not required; a statement such as "several short visits between 1985 and 1993-not more than three weeks at one time" is sufficient) (if previously employed in the U.S. more detailed information about prior visa status is required)

• Has the applicant ever applied for an Immigrant Visa or Permanent Residence in the U.S.? If so, where?
   
• Has any visa petition filed on behalf of the applicant been denied?
   
• Has the applicant ever been in deportation or exclusion proceedings?
   
• If married, list spouse and/or children, providing dates of birth, place of birth, current address, and U.S. visa status information, if applicable
   
• Name or location of U.S. port of entry where admission will be sought

• Date and place of last entry to U.S.
   
• Current visa status
   
• Date authorized stay expires
   
• Copy of both sides of Form I-94
   
• Copy of Form I-20 authorizing Practical Training (if applicable) for F-1 students
   
• Copy of Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688) (if applicable)
   
• Copy of all Forms IAP-66 (for J-1 Exchange Visitors)
   
• Copy of any prior H-1B Petition and any Form I-797 Approval Notices