How to get TN visa

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Hello I'm a Canadian nurse wanting to work in washinton state. I have passed the NCLEX and have an active licence. So I'm wonder now what other documents do I need to have done for the visa. What's the process? What paper work do I need to bring with me to an interview. Do I need to have a visa screen done before I get a TN visa? I'm so confused I keep hearing different answers from different people. I need advice please!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I moved your thread to immigration as most nurses in Washington will have no idea how to get a specific VISA for immigration.

From the immigration website.TN NAFTA Professionals | USCIS

Canadian Citizens

If you are a Canadian citizen, then you are not required to apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate.

You may establish eligibility for TN classification at the time you seek admission to the United States by presenting required documentation to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at certain CBP-designated U.S. ports of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station. You must provide the following documentation to the CBP officer:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship;
  • Letter from your prospective employer detailing items such as the professional capacity in which you will work in the United States, the purpose of your employment, your length of stay, and your educational qualifications; and
  • Credentials evaluation (if applicable), together with any applicable fees.

Please refer to CBP’s website for additional information and requirements for applying for admission to the United States. If a CBP officer finds you eligible for admission, you will be admitted as a TN nonimmigrant.

Alternatively, a prospective TN employer may choose to file on behalf of a Canadian citizen who is outside the United States by submitting Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker to USCIS. Premium Processing Service is available.

If USCIS approves Form I-129, you, the prospective worker, may then apply to CBP for admission to the United States as a TN nonimmigrant by providing the following documentation to a CBP Officer at certain CBP-designated U.S. ports of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship; and
  • Approval Notice from USCIS for Form I-129.

In addition, when applying for admission, you should have in your possession a copy of the Form I-129, and all supporting documentation that was submitted to USCIS, to respond to questions about your eligibility. You should also be prepared to pay any applicable inspection fees at the time you seek admission. If a CBP officer finds you eligible for admission, youwill be admitted as a TN nonimmigrant.

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Ok thanks for your post. But don't I need a visa screen first in order to get a visa for washinton state?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

VSC will be required along with letter from employer. Then you have to go via the border for TN to be issued

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Okay I get it now :) not too complicated. So then I will have to apply for the visa screen through CGFNS?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Yes only CGFNS do VSC. If you have already used them in the past they can use your current docs however if not then you may have to send them some stuff

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Oh yeah they probably have my school information, like my credential evaluation documents so I guess that's one less thing I have to worry about/ wait on. I'm going to a job fair this weekend. Do you think it's okay to still job hunt even though I don't have my vsc yet?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Yes it is OK. If they already have documents and all you need to arrange is confirmation from BON on passing NCLEX then usually takes a month for VSC to be issued

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