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TN
(Trade NAFTA) Classification
The Trade NAFTA classification was established by the North American
Free Trade Agreement and allows for the full-time or part-time
employment of nationals of Mexico and Canada in certain specified
positions. The TN generally requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s
degree, however, additional educational requirements determined
by the TN agreement vary depending on proposed employment. Most
academic research and teaching positions at Boston University as
well as some other limited specialized occupations meet the Trade
NAFTA requirements. The TN can be requested for a maximum of one
year at a time.
To initiate processing, the host department must obtain an official
academic appointment on behalf of the international scholar through
the standard appointment channels at the school or college and then
follow the instructions on the appropriate Scholar Processing Checklist
for TN. It is recommended that the department consider the ISSO processing
estimates when requesting an academic appointment and completing
the international scholar request forms. The department must supervise
the completion of the necessary request forms and submit the forms
to the ISSO with all supporting documentation at least 10 days prior
to the anticipated start of teaching or research for citizens of
Canada and at least 30 days prior to the anticipated start of teaching
or research for citizens of Mexico. The ISSO must receive all required
documentation before processing can commence.
Upon receipt of all required documentation, the ISSO will evaluate
the request. If the prospective employee is a citizen of Canada,
the ISSO staff member will issue a customized letter of invitation
on behalf of Boston University that meets TN requirements. The Canadian
citizen can apply for the TN authorization at a US Port of Entry
and enter the US to commence employment. If the prospective employee
is a citizen of Mexico, the ISSO staff member will issue a customized
letter of invitation on behalf of Boston University that meets TN
requirements to the prospective scholar. The citizen of Mexico must
then apply for a TN visa at a US Embassy or Consulate, which will
enable the scholar to enter the US and commence employment.
Once the TN employee arrives in the US, he/she must report to the
ISSO within three days from the start of employment. Boston University
is required to monitor the location and activities of TN employees
and their TD dependent family members throughout their stay in the
US. Therefore, the department member supervising the international
scholar must immediately inform the ISSO of any changes to the TN
scholar’s activity including, but not limited to, changes in
activity, remuneration, site of activity, length of activity, change
in immigration status and termination of activity. The TN scholar
must adhere to all TN immigration regulations, notify the ISSO and
USCIS of any changes in residential address, inform the ISSO of any
changes to the activity and location of TD dependent family members
and consult with an ISSO prior to departing the US. Failure to comply
with these regulations may jeopardize the lawful immigration status
of the visitor, his/her family as well as Boston University’s
ability to sponsor international scholars in the future.
Processing Summary
for
Initial TN Request |
Step 1
Department
forwards completed TN request forms to ISSO |
Step 2
ISSO produces TN request
letter and forwards it to prospective scholar according
to instructions of department |
Step 3
Citizens of Canada
apply for TN authorization at a US port of entry
when traveling to the US
Citizens of Mexico apply for TN visa at a US Embassy
or Consulate and travel to the US |
Step 4
Prospective
scholar reports to the ISSO no later than 3 days
after start date of the academic appointment |
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