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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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Mexican and Canadian nurses apply in different ways.
Mexican nurses: after you get a job offer, you apply for a TN visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico. You complete Form DS-160, schedule a visa interview and bring your documents. Once the visa is issued, you enter the United States at a port of entry and receive an I-94 record showing TN status.
Canadian nurses: you don’t need a visa. You apply for TN status at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance location with your employer’s letter, proof of Canadian citizenship, your license or degree and your VisaScreen® certificate. If you’re approved, CBP gives you an I-94 record showing TN status.
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. To change employers, a nurse in the U.S. in TN status needs the new employer to file Form I-129 and can’t start the new job until USCIS approves it. Alternatively, the nurse can apply again with a letter from the new employer at a port of entry or preclearance (Canadians) or a U.S. embassy or consulate (Mexicans). 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 aim for clear, responsive communication with our clients and explain each step of the visa process.
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The attorneys at Farmer Law PC help businesses, employers and individuals with employment-based, investor and family-based immigration. For agricultural and seasonal employers, we handle H-2A and H-2B applications and help respond to DOL audits, Wage and Hour investigations and Notices of Deficiency.
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