If you are a nurse from Mexico or Canada with a dream of working in the United States, the TN visa could be the key to unlocking that opportunity. This specific visa class opens doors for experienced Canadian and Mexican nurses, allowing them to be employed for a short term in the United States, gaining valuable international experience.
The occupational class of Registered Nurses was a part of the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This agreement has now been superseded by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Under the USMCA, nurses in Canada and Mexico can still be employed in the United States, provided they meet the applicable qualification conditions and complete the necessary application procedures.
This article is a comprehensive guide that will walk you through the prerequisites of qualification, terms of status, and application procedures for Canadian and Mexican nurses contemplating applying for a TN visa. We aim to provide all the necessary information and support to those interested in working overseas and healthcare institutions in the United States interested in employing internationally.
Table of Contents
TN Visa Qualification Prerequisites For Canadian And Mexican Nurses
The TN visa prerequisites for nurses are the same for candidates from Canada and Mexico.
Education And Skill
To qualify for a TN visa, nurses from Canada and Mexico must have achieved a diploma or degree in nursing or have completed a skilled nursing course. They must also hold an authentic state or regional certification to practice as Registered Nurses in their home nation.
Job Offer
Furthermore, Mexican and Canadian nurses must have an employment offer from a United States employer or United States client as a Registered Nurse. Instances involve a physician’s office, hospital, and outpatient care center. Hence, the role must be short-term and cannot result in permanent residency in the US.
Evidence Of Citizenship In Canada Or Mexico
This can be an authentic passport or certificate of birth supported by photo recognition. Keep in mind that permanent residents in Canada or Mexico need help to apply for a TN Visa for RN.
VisaScreen Visa Credential License
VisaScreen is a screening course particularly tailored for healthcare experts who are not United States nationals but desire to get employed in the United States. This is among the TN visa conditions for nurses. CGFNS is a certifying agency endorsed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for enrolled nurses and eight other healthcare professionals. This course is meant to make sure that international Registered Nurses satisfy the least United States measures for:
- Licensure
- Education
- English language skills.
As such, the VisaScreen program has to do with:
- An academic review
- A licensure review
- Skills evaluation
- An English language
Predictive Examination for Nurses who go through the VisaScreen procedure are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
Only some states require Registered Nurses on TN work visas to demonstrate English language skills. However, the VisaScreen process includes an English language proficiency test as one of its components. This is a national requirement, and the level of proficiency required is determined by the VisaScreen program. The program accepts a variety of English language tests, including the TOEFL and the IELTS.
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Application Procedure For TN Work Visa For Canadian And Mexican Nurses
The procedure for applying for a work visa for Canadian nationals in the United States differs slightly from that for Mexican nationals. Nurses in Mexico must apply for their TN visa work approval at a United States embassy in Mexico after getting an employment offer. They are required to conclude a DS-160 Non-immigrant Visa application and book a visa appointment at the United States embassy.
The consular official will ask questions concerning their qualifications, employment offer, and purpose in returning to Mexico after the expiration of their TN Visa. If they authorize their request, the official will place a visa stamp on the nurse’s passport. Upon landing at a Port of Entry in the United States, the TN Visa nurse will get an electronic I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, an official document of their TN status. This document is important as it shows the date of entry into the United States and the authorized period of stay. It is also required when leaving the United States, as it is used to record the departure date.
On the contrary, nurses in Canada have the following routes:
- They can seek a TN work visa by presenting their application at the assigned port of entry along the United States-Canada border. Upon authorization, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official provides a paper I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, administered as official TN status documentation.
- Alternatively, nurses in Canada can apply for their TN work visa via the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center. To do this, they must complete the necessary forms, provide supporting documents such as their passport and employment offer letter, and pay the required fees. If a USCIS official approves their request, they will receive an authorization notice. This notice is required to be submitted to a CBP official at a United States port of entry upon arriving in the United States. Following this, the Customs and Border Protection official provides a paper I-94 Arrival/Departure Record as their official TN status documentation.
Terms Of Status Of TN Work Visa For Mexican And Canadian Nurses
Extensions And Durations
The TN Visa for a Mexican or Canadian nurse is formerly authentic for three years. It can be continued permanently in three-year extensions if they satisfy the TN visa prerequisites for nurses.
Caps And Limitations
Mexican and Canadian nationals on a TN visa for nurses are only authorized to work for the employer sponsoring their visa. If they wish to change employers, they must first secure a new job offer from a different United States employer or client. They must then apply for a new TN visa, following the same application process as before. Once their new TN visa is approved, they can start working for their new employer. It’s important to note that they must inform United States immigration authorities of any changes in the conditions or agreements regarding their jobs.
In conclusion, the TN visa can be an outstanding prospect for eligible nurses in Canada and Mexico to obtain beneficial skills operating in the United States. Hence, steering the TN visa procedure, primarily for nurses with extra conditions such as VisaScreen, can be difficult.
