How to Renew Your TN Status

Professionals who are nationals of Canada or Mexico that are working with Canadian or Mexican companies who do business in the United States are qualified for a TN status visa.  This status is temporary and expires within three years.  Upon that time, these qualified professionals are required to renew their TN status.  Doing this will give the professionals an additional three year window in which to continue to work in the United States with a TN status.

How to Renew Your TN Status

The good thing about having a TN status visa is that it is constantly renewable without any limits as to how many times a professional can renew it.

You are considered a TN-1 if you are a Canadian professional.  For renewal of your TN immigration status you will need to complete and file form 1-129.  You will be required to submit all application documents.  You should think of this not only as a renewal but in more or less in the manner of a brand new petition. If you were to begin a new petition then you would need to support all supporting documentation that substantiates your professional background.  While there is a $130 application fee, a Canadian professional can circumvent the fee by traveling up to the Canadian border, completing the application and paying $50.  If you opt to go up to the Canadian border to complete your renewal, then all you would need to submit are your supporting documentation.  There is no need to submit the form 1-129 in that instance only.

If according to immigration law you are considered an alien then there are special procedures that you need to follow.  If as an alien you are renewing your TN status then you to will have to file a form 1-129 yet unlike the Canadian professional, your supportive documentation will include an application called an approved labor condition application.  This as well will be revered as a brand new petition or application for TN status.  The difference here is that the application fee is $110.  Unfortunately Mexican professionals are not permitted to travel back to the Mexican border as the Canadian professionals are.  So the fee remains fixed at $110.

Any dependents of TN visa holders are required to apply for renewal as well by filing form I-539.  The filing fee for this form is $140 and whether you are a Canadian or Mexican professional this form needs to be filed at the same time as the form 1-129.

Getting Legal Help

If you have questions about renewing your TN status or you want an experienced advocate to guide you through the renewal process, considering contacting an immigration law attorney who can help.