TN for Mexican/Canadian Citizens

City of Hope offers an TN visa sponsorship to eligible positions and individuals. City of Hope's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) reviews and assesses each position for eligibility on a case-by-case basis as part of the recruitment process. Those interested in obtaining TN sponsorship from City of Hope can request an assessment from ISSO during the recruitment process. 

Eligibility

The TN visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the U.S. in specific professions, as identified in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Common NAFTA professionals at City of Hope include research associates, postdoctoral fellows, staff scientists, professors, and other positions in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, medical science, nursing, computer science and engineering.

TN visa applicants must be a Canadian or Mexican citizen and have an employment offer from City of Hope. If the position requires any state license, registration or certification in California, the applicant must already meet the requirement at the time of the petition filing. 

Each TN can be approved for up to three years. There is no maximum period as long as TN holders do not intend to immigrate to the U.S. and pursue U.S. permanent residency (green card).

How to Obtain a TN

TN applicants have more options, depending on the types of process they choose. The Form I-797 approval notice is not always required. This will help shorten the overall processing time.

For Applicants Coming from Abroad

Applicants coming from abroad do not need the TN petition approval notice (Form I-797) to pursue the TN visa. In practice, this is the quickest way to obtain a TN.

Process for Canadian Citizens

The estimated overall TN processing time for Canadian citizens is six to eight weeks.

  • Preparation. Once a formal job offer is fully executed, City of Hope's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) works with TN applicants to prepare the documents. This usually takes about six weeks.
  • Admission. Canadian citizens do not need a visa stamp from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Instead, they can apply for admission into the U.S. at a U.S. Port of Entries or a designated pre-clearance or pre-flight inspection station.

    Required documents for admission include:
    • Proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a valid passport.
    • A support letter from the ISSO as proof of employment in an eligible NAFTA profession at City of Hope.
    • Education documents.
    • State license, registration or certification, as required by the position.
  • Traveling to the U.S.: TN visa holders can travel to the U.S. no earlier than 10 days before the start date. City of Hope strongly encourages arrival as early as possible for the pre-employment onboarding or clearance processing.

Process for Mexican Citizens

In most cases, the estimated overall TN processing time for Mexican citizens is six to 10 weeks.

  • Preparation and visa application (DS-160. Once a formal job offer is fully executed, City of Hope's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) works with TN applicants to prepare the documents for the TN application (DS-160) process with the local U.S. embassy or consulate. This usually takes about six weeks.
  • Visa interview. Scheduling for appointments varies depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate location. Check wait times online. On rare occasions, applicants may be subject to additional administrative processing after the interview and before the visa can be issued. Typically, this takes three to six weeks. Unfortunately, there is no expedited option. Required documents include:
    • Proof of Mexican citizenship, such as a valid passport.
    • A support letter from the ISSO as proof of employment in an eligible NAFTA profession at City of Hope.
    • Education documents.
    • State license, registration or certification, as required by the position.
  • Traveling to the U.S. Once approved, TN visa holders can travel to the U.S. no earlier than 10 days before the start date. City of Hope strongly encourages arrival for onboarding or clearance processing as soon as possible.
  • Form I-94 record retrieval. Form I-94 admission number or record is an important document that serves as evidence of legal and valid immigration status in the U.S. Upon arrival to the U.S., TN visa holders should retrieve the Form I-94, review it for accuracy and keep it on file for the duration of stay.

Applicants Changing Employers Within the U.S.

TN holders already in the U.S. through sponsorship by another employer are eligible for a change of employer petition within the U.S. Once a formal job offer is fully executed, City of Hope's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) works with TN applicants to prepare the documents to submit to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This usually takes about six weeks. Once USCIS approves the TN petition, City of Hope sends the approval notice (Form I-797) via email to the applicant.

The estimated overall TN change of employer process to secure a TN approval (Form I-797), including City of Hope’s petition preparation and USCIS decision processing, typically takes 10 weeks with premium processing. Other considerations that may impact City of Hope's start date may include additional time needed for advanced resignation, relocation, traveling abroad, family, school, childcare, City of Hope onboarding and health clearances, etc. A previously approved TN does not always guarantee subsequent approval.

  • Portability rule. There is no portability rule for TN. TN holders must wait for USCIS to approve the petition before beginning employment at City of Hope.

  • 60-Day discretionary grace period. Typically, the change of employer approval process occurs while the TN holder is still working for the previous employer. If the previous employment ends early, USCIS may still approve City of Hope’s change of employer petition as long as the gap between the two employment periods does not exceed 60 days. However, TN visa holders cannot work during the grace period and must wait for approval to begin the new employment at City of Hope.

Applicants Changing Status Within the U.S.

Applicants in the U.S. on another visa may be eligible for a TN change of status process within the U.S. Once a formal job offer is fully executed, City of Hope works with TN applicants to prepare the petition documents to submit to USCIS. The average case preparation usually takes about six weeks. Once USCIS approves the TN petition, City of Hope sends the approval notice (Form I-797) via email to the applicant. USCIS must approve the TN petition before the individual can begin new employment at City of Hope.

The estimated overall E-3 change of status process to secure a TN approval (Form I-797), including City of Hope’s petition preparation and USCIS decision processing, typically takes 10 weeks with premium processing. In addition to the TN processing time, other considerations impacting City of Hope's start date may include additional time needed for advanced resignation, relocation, traveling abroad, family, school, childcare, City of Hope onboarding and health clearances, etc.

TD Dependents

Spouses or unmarried children under 21 are eligible for a TD-dependent visa. TD dependents can stay in the United States for the same period as the TN principal. TD dependents can be extended (within the United States or by traveling abroad) to match the TN principal validity. TD dependents (spouse and children) can study in the United States but cannot work.

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