NAFTA TN Visa and requirements

suzanne4, RN · Feb 11, 2008

The visa that you are applying for is a treaty visa, not a working visa; they are two very different things. And fortunate for you, the TN Visa is one that is available to you now, the other is not.

What you need is the Visa Screen Certificate, that you get thru ICHP, which is a sister company to CGFNS. The CGFNS Certificate is what is issued when you pass the CGFNS exam and that is not something that you need to do.

The BON has to submit the verification to CGFNS, and you can use the application that comes in the packet for the VSC. They do charge a fee for completing the form and sending it in to CGFNS/ICHP.

And yes, you do need to send in again everything that you submitted to the BON for licensure. I would go ahead and submit to them now as you only have the English exam to pass, and then you need to make sure that when you write the exam, the results are sent directly to CGFNS; it takes about a month on average to get the VSC, but it can take longer.

You must have that cerificate in hand before you can even apply for the TN Visa. There is actually nothing that the facility can do other than prepare the letter that you will need to present, everything needs to be done by you and in person.

There is a thread here that lists what needs to be in the letter, just have a look for it. Please let me know if you cannot find it, and best of luck on your English exam.

BandidoRN · Feb 11, 2009

hi ramon i am also a nurse from mexico, i just finish school here in califonia and i am looking for jobs all over i got my license and my opt. i see a lot of information regarding nurses from the phillipines but not much about mexican nurses and nafta. i am wondering if you have any tips related to us. as far as what hospitals sponsor mexican nurses, any visa information, nurse recruiters.etc thank you

suzanne4, RN · Feb 12, 2009

The majority of the nurses that come to the US under the NAFTA TN Visa usually come from Canada, but those from Mexico can use the same treaty visa.

Right now, things are going to be tight all over, with all of the problems that are happening in CA as well as the rest of the country. Being truly bilingual will be in your favor, but not all hospitals are going to be hiring at this time.

Any of the San Diego hospitals in the past have been excellent, and including the Kaiser facilities; but things are changing on almost a daily basis. When you can get the NCLEX passed as well as have a Visa Screen Certificate in hand, it will probably be to your favor to go for the TN Visa. Those are now being issued for three year periods, the OPT has maximim of one year and cannot be renewed.

Where are you in terms of completing the NCLEX exam and having your license? You may also with to try nursing homes in the area as well as clinics because of the recession.

tarahope · Mar 12, 2009

Hi Suzanne,

I am in US now and wondered can I apply for TN visa in any local immigration office so I don't need to leave US? If yes, should I go by myself or hire a lawyer? I have all the require doucuments in hand. Thanks.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 13, 2009

Hi Suzanne,
I am in US now and wondered can I apply for TN visa in any local immigration office so I don't need to leave US? If yes, should I go by myself or hire a lawyer? I have all the require doucuments in hand. Thanks.

You have to leave US to get a TN visa, as far as I am aware you have to apply at the border for them not your local immigration office. You just need the documents at hand and show them at the border. VSC, Job offer etc

C0252786 · Dec 21, 2010

Step 1: Apply to get CGFNS certificate - Send CGFNS form to all the schools you've attended to send transcripts directly to CGFNS. Do the same for any place you've ever been licensed. Once they have recieved all your documents, you can expedite (mail to you in 2-5 days) for $500 bucks. The expedite process works when they have all your documents, a job offer letter, and then you call in to tell them u want that expedite option, then they make it so you can pay the fee online.

Step 2: You need a job offer letter AND a TN petition letter. Two separate things. A TN petition letter is like a specific letter to customs outlining your start date and end date, wage, job details, blurb of the company, occupation ect. Some people have taken their job offer letter to the boarder and been rejected due to it not meeting all the criteria it needs. If you're employer cannot provide a TN petition letter, I highly recommend an immigration lawyer to help to avoid being rejected.

Step 3: Take CGFNS visa screen cert, job offer, TN petition, passport, marriage license if applicable, RN license, original nursing degree and $50 dollars US to customs.

Hope that helps.

C0252786 · Dec 21, 2010

You can also get an immigration lawyer to do it via correspondance, but that will take you months and months. I recommend leaving the US and re-entering to get your TN visa.

Cdnhealth · May 14, 2012

I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about this process for Nurse Practitioners? I see Registered Nurse on the NAFTA jobs list but does Nurse Practitioner fall under this role? Any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!