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If you’re a nurse from Canada or Mexico who is interested in working in the United States, the TN Visa could be a suitable choice. This particular Visa category enables skilled Canadian and Mexican nurses to work temporarily in the United States.
The occupational category of “Registered Nurse” is a part of the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Today, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has replaced NAFTA. Nevertheless, Canadian and Mexican nurses can still work in the U.S. if they meet the necessary eligibility requirements and complete the application process.
Below, we will delve into the eligibility requirements, terms of status, and application process for Canadian and Mexican nurses who are considering applying for a TN Visa. This information is designed to assist individuals interested in working abroad and healthcare organizations in the United States interested in hiring internationally.
The TN Visa requirements for nurses are the same for applicants from Mexico and Canada.
To be eligible for a TN Visa, Canadian and Mexican nurses must have earned a diploma or degree in nursing or have completed a professional nursing program. They must also hold a valid state or provincial license to practice as an RN in their home country.
In addition, Mexican and Canadian nurses must have a job offer from a U.S. employer or U.S. client as a Registered Nurse. Examples include a hospital, a doctor’s office and an outpatient care center. However, the position must be temporary and cannot lead to permanent residency in the United States.
This can be a valid passport or a birth certificate accompanied by photo identification. Note that Canada or Mexico permanent residents cannot apply for a TN Visa for registered nurses.
VisaScreen® is a screening program specifically tailored for healthcare professionals who are not U.S. citizens but wish to work in the U.S. This is one of the TN Visa requirements for nurses. CGFNS is a credentialing agency approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for registered nurses and eight other healthcare occupations.
This program is meant to ensure that foreign Registered Nurses meet the minimum U.S. standards for:
As such, the VisaScreen® program includes:
Nurses who undergo the VisaScreen® process must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Not all states require Registered Nurses on TN work Visas to demonstrate English proficiency. However, VisaScreen® is a federal requirement.
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The application process for a work Visa for a Canadian in the U.S.A. varies slightly from that for a Mexican Citizen.
Mexican nurses must apply for their TN Visa work authorization at a U.S. consulate or embassy in Mexico after obtaining a job offer. They must complete a DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application and schedule a Visa appointment at the U.S. Consulate.
The Consular officer will ask questions about their qualifications, job offer, and intent to return to Mexico after their TN Visa expires.
If they approve the application, the officer will place a Visa stamp on the nurse’s passport. Upon arriving at a Port of Entry in the U.S., the TN Visa nurse will receive an electronic I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, an official documentation of their TN status.
In contrast, Canadian nurses have the following avenues:
The TN Visa for a Mexican or Canadian nurse is initially valid for three years. It can be renewed indefinitely in three-year increments as long as they continue to meet TN Visa requirements for nurses.
Canadian and Mexican citizens on a TN Visa for nurses are only permitted to work for the employer sponsoring their Visa. They must obtain a new TN Visa if they want to change employers. Also, they must notify U.S. immigration authorities if there are any changes in the terms or conditions of their employment.
The TN Visa can be an excellent opportunity for qualified Canadian and Mexican nurses to gain valuable experience working in the United States. However, navigating the TN Visa process, especially for nurses with additional requirements like VisaScreen®, can be complex.
Farmer Law PC has extensive experience in immigration law, with a particular focus on TN Visas for healthcare professionals. Our knowledgeable TN Visa attorney can address your questions and guide you through each step of the application process. Contact us today to learn how we can meet your TN Visa needs.
We offer world class communication and responsiveness to all of our clients and our comprehensive approach can simplify even the most complicated of visa programs.
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