skip to main content
MENU
Home
About OIS
Executive Director's Welcome
Our Population
Staff Directory
Hours and Location
Emergency Information
Spotlight on Scholars
Students
Prospective Students
General Information
Graduate Admissions
Undergraduate Admissions
Obtaining an Initial I-20/DS-2019
Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF)
Estimated Expenses
Dependents
Admitted Students
Transferring to UIC
Travel & Visas
Pre-Arrival
Housing
Check-In
International Student Orientation
Current Students
Forms
Academics
F-1 Student Employment
J-1 Student Employment
Travel
Replacement of Documents
Address Updates
Change of Status
Departure
Extension
Scholarships
Peoria
Rockford
Incoming Exchange Students
Fulbright Foreign Student and Scholar (Non U.S. Citizens)
Faculty, Staff, and Scholars
Travel & Visas
J (Exchange Visitor) Information
Categories
Prospective
Funding Requirements
Insurance
Maintaining Status
Transfers
Dependents/J-2 Work Authorization
H (Specialty Occupation Worker)
Pre-Arrival
Maintaining Status
O-1 (Individuals of Extraordinary Ability)
TN (Professionals Under NAFTA)
E-3 (Australian Specialty Occupation Workers)
Other Visa Statuses at UIC
Pending LPR
Forms
Fulbright Foreign Student and Scholars (Non-U.S. Citizens)
Visitors
B-1/B-2
WB/WT
Departments
Use of Attorneys Policy
Guide to Hiring
Quick Guide to Hiring
Credential Evaluations
TN
Permanent Residency
OBFS
Forms
Planning Resources
Programs
Trade Winds
First Friends
First Friends Training Guide
Global Ambassadors
Employment Workshops and Events
International Education Week
International Student Career Week
Thanksgiving Dinner
Pumpkin Farm Trip
Other Events
Life in Illinois
Chicago
Peoria
Rockford
Alumni
Resources
Driver's License
Cell Phone
Social Security Number
Transportation
Money/Banking
Housing
Health
Insurance
Important Links
News
OIS NEWS - 4/16/2021
OIS NEWS - 3/24/2021
OIS NEWS - 3/23/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/24/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/19/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/10/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/3/2021
OIS NEWS - 1/13/2021
OIS NEWS - 1/15/2021
OIS NEWS - 6/23/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/23/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/3/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/2/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/22/2020
OIS NEWS - 11/12/2020
OIS NEWS - 10/16/2020
OIS NEWS - 10/08/2020
OIS NEWS - 10/01/2020
OIS NEWS - 9/25/2020
OIS NEWS - 7/14/2020
OIS NEWS - 6/18/2020
OIS News - 6/05/2020
OIS NEWS - 5/08/2020
OIS NEWS - 3/17/2020
OIS NEWS – 3/09/2020
OIS NEWS – 2/25/2020
OIS NEWS – 2/19/2020
OIS NEWS – 2/11/2020
OIS NEWS - 2/06/2020
OIS NEWS - 1/24/2020
OIS NEWS - 1/14/2020
OIS NEWS – 12/19/2019
OIS NEWS – 12/11/2019
OIS NEWS – 7/11/2019
OIS NEWS – 6/26/2019
OIS News - 5/24/2019
OIS NEWS – 3/1/2019
OIS NEWS – 2/19/2019
OIS News - 10/4/2018
OIS News - 5/2/2018
OIS NEWS - 02/28/2017
OIS NEWS - 05/24/2017
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates for the UIC International Community
Home
About OIS
Executive Director's Welcome
Our Population
Staff Directory
Hours and Location
Emergency Information
Spotlight on Scholars
Students
Prospective Students
General Information
Graduate Admissions
Undergraduate Admissions
Obtaining an Initial I-20/DS-2019
Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF)
Estimated Expenses
Dependents
Admitted Students
Transferring to UIC
Travel & Visas
Pre-Arrival
Housing
Check-In
International Student Orientation
Current Students
Forms
Academics
F-1 Student Employment
J-1 Student Employment
Travel
Replacement of Documents
Address Updates
Change of Status
Departure
Extension
Scholarships
Peoria
Rockford
Incoming Exchange Students
Fulbright Foreign Student and Scholar (Non U.S. Citizens)
Faculty, Staff, and Scholars
Travel & Visas
J (Exchange Visitor) Information
Categories
Prospective
Funding Requirements
Insurance
Maintaining Status
Transfers
Dependents/J-2 Work Authorization
H (Specialty Occupation Worker)
Pre-Arrival
Maintaining Status
O-1 (Individuals of Extraordinary Ability)
TN (Professionals Under NAFTA)
E-3 (Australian Specialty Occupation Workers)
Other Visa Statuses at UIC
Pending LPR
Forms
Fulbright Foreign Student and Scholars (Non-U.S. Citizens)
Visitors
B-1/B-2
WB/WT
Departments
Use of Attorneys Policy
Guide to Hiring
Quick Guide to Hiring
Credential Evaluations
TN
Permanent Residency
OBFS
Forms
Planning Resources
Programs
Trade Winds
First Friends
First Friends Training Guide
Global Ambassadors
Employment Workshops and Events
International Education Week
International Student Career Week
Thanksgiving Dinner
Pumpkin Farm Trip
Other Events
Life in Illinois
Chicago
Peoria
Rockford
Alumni
Resources
Driver's License
Cell Phone
Social Security Number
Transportation
Money/Banking
Housing
Health
Insurance
Important Links
News
OIS NEWS - 4/16/2021
OIS NEWS - 3/24/2021
OIS NEWS - 3/23/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/24/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/19/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/10/2021
OIS NEWS - 2/3/2021
OIS NEWS - 1/13/2021
OIS NEWS - 1/15/2021
OIS NEWS - 6/23/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/23/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/3/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/2/2020
OIS NEWS - 12/22/2020
OIS NEWS - 11/12/2020
OIS NEWS - 10/16/2020
OIS NEWS - 10/08/2020
OIS NEWS - 10/01/2020
OIS NEWS - 9/25/2020
OIS NEWS - 7/14/2020
OIS NEWS - 6/18/2020
OIS News - 6/05/2020
OIS NEWS - 5/08/2020
OIS NEWS - 3/17/2020
OIS NEWS – 3/09/2020
OIS NEWS – 2/25/2020
OIS NEWS – 2/19/2020
OIS NEWS – 2/11/2020
OIS NEWS - 2/06/2020
OIS NEWS - 1/24/2020
OIS NEWS - 1/14/2020
OIS NEWS – 12/19/2019
OIS NEWS – 12/11/2019
OIS NEWS – 7/11/2019
OIS NEWS – 6/26/2019
OIS News - 5/24/2019
OIS NEWS – 3/1/2019
OIS NEWS – 2/19/2019
OIS News - 10/4/2018
OIS News - 5/2/2018
OIS NEWS - 02/28/2017
OIS NEWS - 05/24/2017
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates for the UIC International Community
TN (Professionals Under NAFTA)
Work Authorization
Immigration Documents
Renewals and Validity Period
Intent
TDs
Address Changes
Taxes
Travel and Visa Process
Grace Periods
Portability
Departure
Unlawful Presence
Work Authorization
Work only in the authorized place of employment and for the period approved in your TN invitation letter and I-94. If your job ends sooner than the invitation letter end date, your status ends on the same day.
See Grace Periods below.
Have the department notify OIS if significant change in duties, responsibilities, salary or work site is expected during your authorized employment. An amended petition may be necessary.
Do not accept additional employment or work at an additional location without consulting with OIS in advance.
You can have more than one TN sponsor, but this requires either a separate I-129 filing to USCIS or a reentry with new employer sponsor letters shown to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Immigration Documents
Maintain a valid passport at all times, valid for at least six months into the future.
Retain copies of all immigration documents including: current and expired passports, Forms I-797, I-94, etc.
The I-797 approval notice is your property (if applicable); there is a fee to request a duplicate I-797 approval, if lost.
I-94
:
Always review and save your new I-94 after reentry at:
www.cbp.gov/I94
.
Form I-94 must indicate "Admitted as: TN" and “Admitted until date” that matches your invitation letter or I-797 approval.
Note: Individuals from Mexico entering the U.S. in TN status are often entered for only 1 year.
Incorrect end date
: If your I-94 indicates any other expiration date, contact OIS. Passport expiry within six months is a common reason for a shortened I-94. If this occurs, consult with OIS.
Renewals and Validity Period
Your department will need to initiate the TN extension process 2-4 months prior to your TN expiry date. Keep in mind that TN status can be extended indefinitely in three year increments.
Intent
TN status is a
non-immigrant
status, which means your intent to remain in the United States is temporary. If your department is interested in sponsoring you for permanent residency, contact OIS to discuss possible options. You may also consult our “
Use of Attorneys Policy
” and “
UIC Sponsorship of Permanent Immigrant Visas
” information.
TDs
TD dependents are not eligible to work, or volunteer to work. They may attend school. Consult OIS if you have questions.
Address Changes
Report any change in residential address, within 10 days of moving, to USCIS (
Form AR-11
), to OIS by email
ois@uic.edu
, and via UIC’s
My Profile
page.
Taxes
Individuals in TN status are required to file both state and federal taxes.
Travel and Visa Process
Canadian Citizens
:
No visa stamp is required for entry to the U.S.
Present the following at the port of entry: TN invitation letter completed by the department and approved by OIS, valid Canadian passport, TN application fee, evidence of degree showing that you qualify for the position, evidence that your stay is temporary in nature, original I-797 approval notice, if applicable.
Mexican Citizens
:
Visa stamp required – review required consulate-specific documents.
Schedule an appointment with the
U.S. Consulate/Embassy
and complete Form DS-160 with fee.
Review consulate/embassy website for guidance about required documents. We suggest bringing:
Passport (valid for six months beyond reentry date)
TN invitation letter completed by the department and approved by OIS
Evidence of degree showing you qualify for the position
Evidence that your stay in the U.S. remains temporary in nature
Original I-797 approval notice, if applicable
TD dependents
:
In addition to the above, they should bring proof of their dependent status (marriage or birth certificate) as well as evidence that their stay remains temporary.
Grace Periods
You have a 10-day grace period after the end date of your stay in TN status. You may not work during this period; it is time to prepare to leave the U.S., change status, etc.
If your department ends your employment before end date of the TN invitation you may remain in the U.S. for 60 days, or until your petition end date (whichever is sooner) and have a new sponsor file a petition for you. See “portability” below.
Portability
It is possible to “port”/“transfer” your TN status to another employer; the new employer will file a Form I-129 on your behalf. Employment should be continuous from UIC to the next employer. If your department ends your employment early, you may have up to 60 days to remain in the country and seek other employment. You may not work or volunteer during the transitional time. Your future TN sponsor will advise you on this process and notify you when you may begin your new employment. Alternatively, you could travel to change employers.
Departure
You must submit a
Departure Verification Form
upon completion of employment. This form is required regardless of your departure reason: leaving the U.S., changing employers, or changing immigration status.
Unlawful Presence
This occurs when you stay beyond the ending date of your I-94 or upon determination by Department of Homeland Security. Consequences include a 3-year bar from reentering the U.S. if you have stayed unlawfully in the U.S. for 180 days or more, and a 10-year bar if you remain unlawfully in the U.S. for 360 days or more. Violation of your TN status makes you ineligible for any immigration benefits. This does not apply if a timely, non-frivolous petition to extend your stay has been received by the USCIS prior to the end date of your I-94.
Skip Nav
UICOIS Navigation Menu
Home
About OIS
Students
Faculty, Staff, and Scholars
Travel & Visas
J (Exchange Visitor) Information
H (Specialty Occupation Worker)
O-1 (Individuals of Extraordinary Ability)
TN (Professionals Under NAFTA)
E-3 (Australian Specialty Occupation Workers)
Other Visa Statuses at UIC
Pending LPR
Forms
Fulbright Foreign Student and Scholars (Non-U.S. Citizens)
Visitors
Departments
Programs
Life in Illinois
Alumni
Resources
News