No Foreign Residence Requirement for TN Visa Professionals

The Temporary Entry Requirements for TN Visa Status Do Not Necessitate Maintenance of a Foreign Residence Abroad.

Under INA § 214(e) a Canadian citizen’s admission to the U.S. under TN status is limited to a “temporary entry.”  A temporary entry is defined as “entry without the intent to establish permanent residence.” 8 C.F.R. 214.6 (b). This temporary period must have “a reasonable, finite end that does not equate to permanent residence.” Id. The Foreign Affairs Manual adds that an application should reasonably indicate that the alien’s temporary work assignment in the U.S. will end predictably and that the alien will depart upon completion of the assignment. 9 FAM § 41.59 N5.

Most nonimmigrant categories impose an immigrant intent requirement and require that a nonimmigrant maintain a residence abroad. 9 FAM 41.11 N2.1. Other categories, such as the E visa, have a much lesser standard. Id. Although a TN applicant may not enter the U.S. for purposes of establishing permanent residence, an applicant for a TN is not required to possess a residence abroad. Only the following nonimmigrant categories are subject to the residence abroad requirement: B, F, H (except H-1), J, M, O-2, P and Q. See 9 FAM 41.11 N2.2-1. The TN nonimmigrant category therefore falls under the lesser standard of immigrant intent.

Applicants for a TN therefore do not need to maintain the significant ties abroad such as “ties of property, employment, family obligation, and continuity of life” required under the heightened immigrant intent standards as those applicable to the B-1/B-1 visitor category. See 9 FAM 41.61 N5.2.