NEW NAFTA (USMCA) NOW PLANNED TO START JULY 1ST

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says that the USMCA will go into effect July 1st.

According to USCBP, the agency that handles TN visa admissions and processing at the U.S. border, USMCA regulations are pending publication. No word, yet, from the U.S. Department of State, which is responsible for processing TN visa applications at the U.S. consulate, or U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), which handles I-129 mail-in petitions for TN status, on whether they are ready to issue regulations for the implementation of the USMCA.

The new agreement does not appear to make any major changes to the TN visa classification. However, the agreement will now only be valid for 16 years from the date of its entry into force. After 6 years, there will be a joint review of the agreement where each party must confirm that it wishes to continue the agreement for a new 16-year term.