4.      STUDENT VISAS, F-1 and M-1.  The F-1 visa is intended for students wishing to pursue academic studies and language training programs in the U.S.  Candidates for an F-1 visa would include academic students in colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, and/or other academic institutions approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.  For more information on student visas go to http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/tempbenefits/studvisas.htm. 

5.      NAFTA VISA, TN.  A TN visa covers professionals under the North American Free Trade Agreement and is only made available to citizens of Mexico and Canada which are U.S. NAFTA trading countries.  Under the NAFTA Agreement, a citizen of Mexico or Canada may work in a professional occupation in another NAFTA country (i.e., Mexico, Canada or the U.S.).  However, there are certain criteria’s that must be met:

·         The profession is on the NAFTA Professional Job Series List,

·         The alien possesses the specific criteria for that profession,

·         The prospective position requires someone in that professional capacity

The spouse and unmarried, minor children of the principal alien are entitled to the derivative status, but they are unable to accept employment in the United States. Aliens entering under this classification are considered non-immigrants.

Please note that the requirements for Canadians and Mexicans wishing to enter under a “TN” visa status are not the same.

Citizens of Canada must provide the following at the port of entry:

·         A request for “TN” status;

·         A copy of the applicant's college degree and employment records which establishes qualification for the prospective job;

·         A letter from the alien's prospective U.S.-based employer offering him or her a job in the United States, which is included on the professional job series (NAFTA list); and

·         Pay a fee of U.S. $50.00.

Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa, but instead receive "TN" visa status with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) at the port of entry. The "TN" status will only be granted if the period of stay is temporary.

How can an application for extension of temporary stay be made?  Applications for extension of stay are processed by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).  Canadian citizens have two options:

·         They may have their employer file an I-129 form at the closest regional BCIS office. This option does not require leaving the U.S.

·         Canadians may return to Canada to re-apply at the port of entry with the same documentation that is required for an original application.

Citizens of Mexico must meet the following requirements:

·         First, the prospective employer must file a labor condition application;

·         Then, the applicant's prospective employer must file an I-129 "Petition For      Non-Immigrant Workers" with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS); and

·         After the petition has been approved, the alien must apply for a non-immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mexico.

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