PLEASE HIRE THIS CANADIAN BOY!
It's quite simple really. Basically I will take care of everything. All I need is a letter saying someone has a job for me. I do the rest.
Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa, but instead receive "TN" status with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) at the port of entry. The "TN" status will only be granted if the period of stay is temporary.
Who qualifies for a "TN" visa?
The category "Professionals Under the North American Free Trade Agreement" is available only to citizens of Mexico and Canada. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) a citizen of a NAFTA country may work in a professional occupation in another NAFTA country provided that:
1) the
profession is on the NAFTA list (it
is! Click here
for details.) 
2) the alien possesses the specific criteria
for that profession (I
do! Although I resent being called an alien.)
3) the prospective position requires someone in that professional capacity
4) the alien is going to work for a U.S. employer. The spouse and unmarried, minor children of the principal alien are entitled to the derivative status, but they are unable to accept employment in the United States. Aliens entering under this classification are considered non-immigrants. (My wife will be looking for a separate academic post-doctoral position.)
How can a "TN" visa be obtained?
The requirements for Canadians and Mexicans wishing to enter under this classification are not the same. Citizens of Canada must provide the following at the port of entry:
1. A request for "TN" status (One
page document, ready in 20 minutes!)
2. A copy of the applicant's college degree and employment records which
establish qualification for the prospective job (I
have one ready!)
3. A letter from the alien's prospective U.S.-based employer offering him or her a job in the United States, which is included on the professional job series (NAFTA list) (See, this is what I need and I still resent the alien designation)
4. A fee of U.S. $50.00 ($282.33
CDN now on the strenght of the US dollar - No problem!)
How can an application for extension of temporary stay be made?
Requirements for Canadians wishing to renew their "TN" status or applications for an extension of stay are processed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Canadian citizens have two options:
First , they may have their employer file an I-129 form at the closest regional INS office. This option does not require leaving the U.S.
Second, Canadians may return to Canada to re-apply at the port of entry with the same documentation that is required for an original application.
Below are the PR designations that fall under NAFTA along with the minimum education requirements/credentials.
If you wish to skip to the relevant information click here.
NAFTA Professional Job Series List: |
| PROFESSION | MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIALS |
| Accountant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or C.P.A, C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A. |
| Architect | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate and three years experience |
| Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster (Claims Adjuster employed by an insurance company located in the territory of a Party, or an independent claims adjuster) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or three years experience in claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims |
| Economist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Engineer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license |
| Forester | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license |
| Graphic Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or post-secondary diploma and three years experience |
| Hotel Manager | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or post-secondary diploma or post-secondary certificate in hotel/restaurant management and three years experience in hotel/restaurant management |
| Industrial Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or post-secondary diploma or post-secondary certificate, and three years experience |
| Interior Designer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or post-secondary diploma or post-secondary certificate, and three years experience |
| Land Surveyor | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree or state/provincial/federal license |
| Landscape Architect | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Lawyer (including Notary in the province of Quebec) | L.L.B., J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licenciatura degree (five years); or membership in a state/provincial bar |
| Librarian | M.L.S. or B.L.S. (for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree was prerequisite) |
| Management Consultant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent professional experience as established by statement or professional credential attesting to five years experience as a management consultant , or five years experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement |
| Mathematician (including statistician) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Range Manager/Range Conservationist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Scientific Technician/ Technologist | Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics; and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in any of those disciplines, or the ability to apply principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied research |
| Social Worker | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Sylviculturist (including forestry) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Technical Publications Writer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, or post-secondary diploma or post-secondary certificate, and three years experience |
| Urban Planner (including Geographer) | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Vocational Counselor | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
|