Maintaining TN Status

It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the terms of your TN status during your stay in the United States. A violation of the immigration regulations could have serious consequences. Review this information carefully and contact ISO if you have questions.

International employees must notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of all residential address changes using form AR-11.

The I-94 card indicates your TN status in the U.S. and the dates, occupation, and employer associated with that TN status. To renew your TN status you may either:

• Make a timely departure and return to the U.S. following procedures detailed under “Admission to the U.S. in TN Status.”

Or

• Apply by mail for a renewal of your TN status with the assistance of your hiring department and ISO. Note that this option requires the UW to file an immigration petition on your behalf, and only the UW Vice Provost for Academic Personnel has authority to sign this form. Attorneys are not permitted to represent the University’s interests in immigration matters.

Government regulations do not limit the number of years you may hold TN status. However, TN status is meant to be temporary. Although TN status can be renewed in increments of up to three years, without limit, each request for extension must satisfy U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that your employment is temporary and that you will depart the U.S. upon completion of your work assignment.

While there are currently exceptions to the passport requirement for Canadian citizens, we suggest that all TNs coming to the UW have and maintain a valid passport. Keep it and other important documents in a safe place. Report a lost or stolen passport to the police, as your government may require a police report before issuing a new passport. To renew or replace your passport, contact your consulate in the U.S. While in the United States, always carry with you a photocopy of your passport's identity page. When traveling, carry the original documents but guard them carefully against theft.

Your TN status is job and employer-specific. It is possible to hold more than one position but each must be a TN-approved occupation and noted on an I-94 card. It is possible to change employers using the procedures described in “Renew your I-94 card when needed.”

Unlike some other nonimmigrant categories, the TN does not provide any “grace period” for departure. Your lawful status in the U.S. ends when your paid employment ends or when your I-94 card expires, whichever comes first. Following completion of your TN employment you must depart the U.S. immediately. You may return to the U.S. as a “visitor.”

Recipients of U.S.-source income are required to file a yearly tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Contact the IRS for more information.

International scholars and their dependents may be surprised to learn that federal law requires that they carry "registration" documentation at all times. These include a basic identity document such as a valid passport, plus your current I-797( if one has been issued) and I-94 card.

For day-to-day purposes, we suggest that these documents be kept in a secure location such as a bank safe deposit box. However, if you are traveling within the United States you should carry these documents with you. If you are traveling by air, train, bus or ship, you may be required to produce these documents before boarding. Keep photocopies of all your documents in a separate location, in the event your documents are lost or stolen.