The TN/TD Visa was created after the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 to facilitate the temporary employment of qualified Canadian and Mexican professionals in the United States. As of January 1, 2004, the procedures were simplified for Mexicans with the removal of the requirement for petitions and labor condition applications. Mexican citizens can apply for TN visas at any U.S. Consulate in Mexico or at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. Who Is Qualified for the TN Visa? Mexican citizens with a job offer in one of the professions listed in the NAFTA Treaty may be eligible for a TN visa. A TN visa holder’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be eligible for a TD visa. Please see this web site for a list of NAFTA Treaty professions and their corresponding job requirements to confirm that your profession is included. Please note that the TN jobs are professional positions with certain qualifications. Most jobs require a baccalaureate degree from a certified undergraduate institution. Mexican citizens must hold a titulo to fulfill the baccalaureate degree requirement; a carta de pasante is not sufficient for NAFTA professions that require a baccalaureate degree. A carta de pasante is sufficient for professions that require only a postsecondary diploma or certificate. Some NAFTA professions require a specified amount of work experience. In every case, the TN applicant must prove to the adjudicating consular officer that he or she has the required educational and/or work experience to qualify for the TN visa. The length of an issued TN visa will be limited to the terms of the employment contract. Applicants must demonstrate that their stay is temporary and has a reasonable, finite end that does not equate to permanent residence.
How to Apply for a TN Visa at U.S. Consulate General Tijuana
To apply for a TN visa through the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, please prepare a package containing the following documents: - copy of your Mexican passport
- copy of the petitioner’s job letter. The job letter should be written in English by the company for whom the applicant will work. The letter must be written specifically for the purpose of obtaining a TN visa. The petitioner must state the length of visa requested. See below for a sample of the job letter format.
- completed DS-156 form for the applicant and all family members requesting TD visas. Males between the ages of 16 and 45 must also complete form DS-157. In regard to question 32 on form DS-156, please provide the physical address where you will be employed. Do not provide a post office box.
- copies of all diplomas, certifications, and professional licenses required for the applicant’s chosen profession. Please send copies of the original document; do not send translations of the original document from Spanish to English.
- evidence of work experience in applicant’s chosen profession (letters from current/former employers, pay stubs, contributions to I.M.S.S., etc.)
- information about the petitioning company, to include the company’s brochure, profile, financial statements, annual reports, incorporation documents, or tax returns
- proof of residency in Mexico (rent/mortgage payments, utility receipts, etc.)
- proof of previous year’s salary for TN renewals (pay stubs and/or W-2 forms)
Format for a petitioner's job letter: LETTERHEAD/LOGO, INCLUDING COMPANY NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP
PHONE
FAX
E-MAIL
DATE
U.S. Consulate General Tijuana
Nonimmigrant Visa Section
Tijuana, Mexico
Re: Petition for TN/TD Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Petitioner: Company Name and phone number
Beneficiary: - Full name of applicant (i.e. two first names and two last names)
- DOB of applicant
- Phone number and e-mail of applicant
Position: Position Title
Dear Sir or Madam:
Introductory paragraph
I. Petitioner profile:
(General company background information)
II. Position description:
(Duties and degree/experience required for position)
III. Beneficiary profile:
(Applicant’s qualifications, including degrees and
related work experience)
IV. Terms of employment:
(Salary to be paid, length of visa requested, and other
terms of employment)
Closing paragraph
(Summary of major points of the petition) |
The application packet must include an e-mail address for the applicant and the petitioner. Please mail your package to: U.S. Consulate General, Attention: Nonimmigrant Visa Section, Tapachula #96, Col. Hipodromo, Tijuana, B.C., Mexico 22420. Please allow 15 working days before sending an email to TijuanaTN@state.gov for information on the status of your application. Documents to Bring to the TN/TD Visa Interview The applicant must bring the following documents to the visa interview: - A valid passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity and available empty pages for the applicant and each family member seeking a visa. Applicants should check their passport before their appointment. Bring any prior passports with U.S. visa stamps.
- A fully completed and signed visa application form DS-156 (found at http://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp). Males between the ages of 16 to 45 must fill out supplemental form DS-157, found at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79964.pdf). Please note that only forms printed from the Internet are accepted.
- Receipt from Banamex reflecting payment of visa application fee. Each applicant — including children — must have an original Banamex receipt for $131 (dollars), or its equivalent in pesos (nonimmigrant visa fee increase from $100 US Dollars to $131 US Dollars effective January 1, 2008). This fee is nonrefundable.
- Original birth certificates for minor children
- Original marriage certificate for married couples
- Petitioner’s job offer letter (signed original), written on company letterhead (e-mailed or faxed letters are not accepted)
- Original degree(s) with S.E.P. (título) seal and cédula profesional
- Any other supporting documents
Children younger than seven do not need to be physically present for the TN/TD interview. If children are not present, parents should bring the following documents in support of their applications: - passport
- DS-156 form
- bank receipt
- photo with a white background that shows child’s full face and both ears
For the purpose of the TN visa interview, it is in the applicant’s best interest to bring as much documentation demonstrating experience and education as possible. Additional Information
TN renewals must submit the same package in support of their application as first-time applicants. Approved visas cost an additional $100 dollars per person per year. This issuance fee must be paid before the visa will be issued. Approved visas may take from one to three days for delivery. Please be advised that presenting false documents in support of your application can result in a lifetime visa ineligibility. Please do not bring electronic devices such as cell phones or laptops to your interview. All applicants must pass through a metal detector before entering the interview area. For More Information
Please e-mail the Consulate at TijuanaTN@state.gov with any questions. The U.S. Department of State web site has more information about TN/TD visas. It can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_temp_nafta.html. | 
