On June 5, 2023, USCIS changed the service center filing location for employers filing an I-129 petition on behalf of employees seeking TN visa status. For many years, the Vermont Service Center had exclusive jurisdiction over all I-129 TN petition filings. Now USCIS is turning over the processing of these petitions to the Texas Service Center exclusively. It remains to be seen whether this filing change will result in any change in the substantive adjudication of TN petitions.

Employers can file an I-129 petition by mail on behalf of Canadian and Mexican citizens residing in the U.S. to change their authorized TN employer, to extend their existing TN visa work authorization, or to change their U.S. immigration status to TN status without requiring the worker to depart the U.S. Additionally, employers can file an I-129 petition for TN status on behalf of Canadian citizens residing outside of the U.S.

USCIS has indicated that it will provide a 60-day grace period for filings that are erroneously mailed to the Vermont Service Center. Starting Aug. 6, 2023, USCIS will reject any I-129 TN petitions filed at the Vermont Service Center.