TN (Nafta) Visa for Mexicans - a few questions...

[monyfer 27]

My boyfriend is a Mexican citizen and only recently did I find out about the possibility of him coming to work in the United States on a TN visa. Previously, I thought the only option was the H1B work visa (which I know are very difficult to get). But, I met a Canadian girl who was working in the US on a TN visa.

I have read through the requirements and it doesn´t seem too difficult, but I have some questions. My boyfriend has a Bachelors Degree in Engineering, which is on the list of approved professions. However, he does not have work experience in engineering. His work experience is in sales management for consumer product companies. Right now he works for the Latin American subsidiary of a large US corporation.

Is to procedure to find and interview for a job in the US and get hired for the job, and then get the letter of sponsor from the employer? Will any company be willing to provide this, granted they like the candidate, or only certain companies willing to give a sponsor letter for the TN visa? Also, does my boyfriend have to work within his educated profession - or can he get any job, and as long as he can prove education requirements to a Nafta profession, be granted the visa? For example, the Canadian girl I knew had her degree in Kinseology (physical therapy) but is now working on a TN visa in a marketing job, so I am under the impression that they are flexible on this.

I would appreciate hearing any other Mexicans (or Canadians, although the situation may be different) experiences on acquiring the TN visa.

Thank you!

[fiestagirl 7]

Yes the procedure is to find and interview for a job. However if he comes to the US in order to find a job, he may find resistance at the border. If he's coming for a pre-arranged interview, then that would be fine. The company has to write a letter specifying they want to hire this employee TEMPORARILY as he must intend on returning to Mexico at the end of the time (maximum 3 years but extentions can be granted).

He has to work within his field. It cannot be ANY job. They are not flexible in this with engineering. Research it well. There are government sites which say what the TN status can be in. I don't believe with engineering that you need any work experience (I'm on a different computer than all of my bookmarks) but you should be able to google information on credible sites. If he's a mechanical engineer, then he must find a job in mechanical engineering. I'm a Canadian who got a TN and I researched all the information myself. Definitely look at the government websites which dictate the rules and what professions are covered under a TN and what qualifications you need.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Also, the procedure for TN-2 (Mexican) is quite different from that for TN-1 (Canuck)--the TN-2 is Consulate/Embassy issued.