TN Visa validity

The maximum time period a TN visa can be issued per admission is three (3) years. When determining the period of admission the reviewing CBP Officer can take several factors into account. We discuss these factors and how long your TN visa will be valid here.

How long will my TN visa be valid?

A TN visa can be valid from one (1) day up to three (3) years. The length of the admission in TN visa status will be determined by the offer of employment, underlying contract, statement of work, or the controlling employment document. For example:

  • Offer of Employment – You have an offer of employment from a US employer under a TN visa profession for a three (3) year time period from 01/02/2001 until 01/01/2004. The TN visa will likely be issued for the indicated 3-year time period. Please Note. The offer of employment must be for a defined time period. A blanket offer without a defined period of employment is not sufficient. There must be an employment start and end date for CBP to determine the period of admission under TN visa status.
  • Servicing a Contract – You are coming to the United States for a Canadian employer to service a contract with a US-based client performing services as a professional under a TN visa profession. The contract to be serviced is for a limited time period from 01/02/2001 until 03/01/2001. The TN Visa will likely be issued for the duration of the contract, 3 months. Please Note. Open-ended contracts, or contracts that automatically renew, are not sufficient. There must be a contract start and end date for CBP to determine the period of admission under TN visa status.

How long will the TN visa stamp on my passport be for?

You must have a valid passport to be stamped and admitted for a TN visa. Although the reviewing CBP Officer can approve the TN visa status for a maximum period of 3 years, they cannot stamp your passport beyond its expiration date. In some cases, you can be approved for a 3-year TN visa and receive a TN visa stamp for a shorter duration. For example:

  • Passport Validity of 3 years or more – If your passport is valid for the duration of the offer of employment/contract, then you will receive a TN visa stamp for the entire requested time period.
  • Passport Validity for less than the Offer of employment/Contract – If your passport is valid for less than the duration of the offer of employment/contract, then you will receive a TN visa stamp not to exceed the validity of your passport.

How do I capture the remaining time on my TN Visa?

If you were approved for a 3-year TN visa and stamped for a shorter time period due to an expiring passport, you can capture the remaining time period of the TN visa approval by returning to the port of entry with your new passport. The CBP Officer will be able to verify the validity of your TN visa and stamp you for the remaining time period in your new passport.

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