TN visa Employer requirements

I recently graduated university and I currently hold a OPT (Optional Practical Training) Visa. After this visa expires I would like to obtain a TN visa as a graphic designer.

I currently work as a sole proprietor. Obviously this won't fly with a TN visa. A number of studios I do contract work for stated that they would hire me as an employee . Are there special requirements for TN visa employers?

Hi

No special requirements, you'll need to leave the country and apply for the TN Status upon reentry with the correct documentation. Ensure your application is valid and you're prepared for the border interview.

Be sure to read the following articles:
Common TN Visa Mistakes to Avoid
How to Write a Great TN Visa Letter

You can also obtain a do it yourself TN Visa Application Kit which will provide step by step instructions to create your letter, sample letters for your reference and prepares you for the border interview.

Hope this helps.

You could hold multiple TNs for each employer, if there would not be enough work with one employer. Small employer are appropriate for TN status. CBP sometimes questions the ability to pay you and this could be an issue at some Ports. When we do applications for small employers we usually submit financial statements to prove the ability to pay.

Also keep in mind that if you had your own Canadian firm you could obtain TN status as a self-employed Canadian.

Good luck.

My lawyer told me that the graphic designer is a tough one to get. Make sure you have your portfolio with you, the TN visa is a Professional visa. Dress and look the pro part if you know what I mean. Bring letters from previous Canadian employers. Show yourself as a good citizen. Bring anything that will give you extra credibility: awards, peer approval, articles on you, certificates of various involvements, etc. Good luck!

How can a graphic designer be difficult? Its simple, all graphic designers do the same thing. You don't need a portfolio, you're just proving MINIMUM qualification as a TN graphic designer. This is not an O-1 Petition.

How does one apply for the TN visa if you are a sole proprieter graphic designer with your own company?

Contract with a U.S. business. The contract should be in writing and provided at the border with the TN application.

Contract with a U.S. business. The contract should be in writing and provided at the border with the TN application.

I am working in US for almost a year now under TN visa, I have 3 yrs contract till 2012. My question is that I'm planning to apply for another job in addition to my current job, do I need to apply at the border or just simply write them. I already have 40 hrs of work but I need to find more hours, is this would be possible, do you think the borders will not give me a hard time, any suggestions please?

Simplest to go to border and get 2nd TN. No problem.